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Created in 2002, the division places new focus on these areas,
with new sections on ICT policy and ICT applications. ESCAP’s
established Space Technology Applications Section joined the subprogramme,
as: (1) remote sensing and geographic information systems add
data, information content, and management (and Web-GIS adds delivery
mechanisms), and (2) satellite communications uniquely connect
communities inadequately served by fibre-optic, copper, or terrestrial
microwave connectivity.
The region contains leading innovators and early adopters of
ICST, but also some of the least-connected areas of the world.
Some people can work with ICT languages (e.g. English), but many
widely spoken languages in the region lack information content
and services. Many current applications are created from the developers’
standpoint, who may thus not connect with large diverse communities
of potential users. When the region’s assets are not fully
utilized, and the region’s markets not fully served, everyone
loses.
ESCAP’s previous work in information, communication and
space technologies has shown that Asia-Pacific countries need
support related to the development of cross-sectoral policies
to enable them to take advantage of opportunities presented by
these technologies. We view such policies to be critical to determining
the ability of our member countries to fully participate in, manage,
and benefit from, the process of globalisation, as well as to
overcome key development challenges in a cost effective manner.
Some areas of interest include:
Distance-education: Several countries in the region are leading
innovators. Current-generation distance education involves two-way
conversations by satellite, so students in otherwise underserved
communities can interact with teachers in remote studios. Next-generation
broadband Internet satellites offer more capabilities.
Distance-medicine, e-commerce, and e-government: These arenas
offer considerable promise, as well as synergy with the infrastructure
developed for distance education.
Disaster management: Asia and the Pacific are regularly impacted
by a wide range of natural disasters. Millions of people are displaced
annually, with billions of dollars of damages imposed on societies
which may have little capacity for recovery. Space technology,
and geomatics (handling of spatial data, such as for digital forecasting
of flood water flow), can now contribute significantly to the
larger picture of operational disaster preparation, mitigation,
and response. ESCAP promotes improved regional cooperation in
this arena, with resulting increases in awareness that such developments
are now timely.
Human Resources Development: ESCAP has long supported this sector
by supporting workshops, training courses, and meetings to exchange
ideas and experience. It intends to utilize ICST technology to
make such efforts more cost-effective and wide-reaching, while
not overlooking the un-connected.
For further information please contact;
Mr. Wu Guoxiang
Chief
Space Technology Applications Section
Information, Communication and Space Technology Division
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
UN Building, Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok 10200, THAILAND
Tel : (66-2) 288 1456
Fax : (66-2) 288 3012
email: wugu@un.org
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