ESCAP/ITU Regional
Training Workshop on Enabling Policies and Regulatory
Frameworks form Information and Communications Technology
(ICT) Development in the Asia-Pacific Region. 3-7 May
2004
Region faces major ICT challenges
Inadequate infrastructure, low levels of education
and insufficient investment continue to plague efforts to introduce
new technology in developing Asia-Pacific countries, according
to a top IT expert at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission
for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).
Mr. Xuan Zengpei, chief of the Information, Communication and
Space Technology Division (ICSTD)
of UNESCAP, says the full potential of Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) in aiding development is not being met.
“Despite on-going efforts at the national and regional
levels, a large number of people in the ESCAP region are still
very far from reaping the benefits of ICT.”
“Various ICT applications such as e-business, e-government,
e-health, and e-learning provide a great potential to improve
transparency both in public and private sectors, enhance income
generating opportunities and quality of life,” he said.
Speaking at the opening of the Regional Training Workshop on
Enabling Policies and Regulatory Framework for Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) Development in the Asia-Pacific
Region this week, Mr. Xuan says other obstacles include the lack
of connectivity, paucity of trained manpower, and inadequate local
content in local languages.
The training workshop, organized by UNESCAP and the International
Communications Union (ITU),
is part of UNESCAP’s on-going work to achieve the Information
Society and bridge the digital divide.
UNESCAP’s efforts are focused on: institutional capacity-building;
human resources development; promotion of equitable access to
marginalized groups, including rural communities; and identifying
best practices in the use of ICT, and sharing those practices.
The workshop is being held at the UN
Conference Centre in Bangkok from 3-7 May
For further information please contact:
United Nations Information Services, UNESCAP, United Nations
Building, Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok 10200, Thailand, Tel:
(66) 02 288 1864-9, Fax: (66) 02 288 1052, E-mail: unisbkk.unescap@un.org
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