APT identifies 5 new goals in Singapore Statement

SINGAPORE: The Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) has committed to a connected digital future for the region by adopting the “Singapore Statement on Cocreating a Connected Digital Future in the Asia Pacific”.

APT, comprising ministers responsible for telecommunication and information and communication technology (ICT), is convening here for the two-day AsiaPacific ICT Ministerial Meeting 2019 that started yesterday.

Malaysia was represented by Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo.

According to a joint statement issued after the meeting, the Singapore Statement sets out the vision of a connected digital future through the development of telecommunication and ICT in Asia Pacific.

The last Asia-Pacific ICT Ministerial Meeting was held in Brunei in 2014.

Over the past five years, the ICT development in the region had shown remarkable improvements in line with key priorities identified at the meeting, said APT.

The ministers have identified five new strategic goals in the Singapore Statement to guide efforts in building a connected digital future for the region.

One of the goals is Digital Transformation, which aims to provide an enabling environment for telecommunication and ICT development through improved connectivity and access to citizens and businesses.

Digital Trust, the second goal, is aimed at encouraging trusted and secured systems that promote data privacy protection, as well as facilitate free and secure flow of information, and are resilient to cyber threats.

Three other goals are Digital Innovation and Creativity, Digital Community, and Digital Capacity Building and Partnerships.

Headquartered in Bangkok, APT has 38 members, four associate members and 136 affiliate members.