Pomaleu says ICT agenda at forefront of Apec

The National National

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is now on the forefront of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) agenda, says PNG Apec ambassador Ivan Pomaleu.
He said this during the opening of the Apec telecommunications and information working group meeting at the International Convention Centre in Port Moresby yesterday.
“Over the next few days, you will be having discussions and sharing experiences on policy and regulatory practices and challenges across the region, standards, cyber-security, internet infrastructure, universal broadband access, adoption and use of ICTs,” he said.
“You will review the Apec tel strategic plan 2016-2020.”
The plan identifies five priority areas which are:

  • Develop and support ICT innovation;
  • promote a secure, resilient and trusted environment;
    l promote regional economic integration;
  • enhance the digital economy and the internet economy; and,
  • Strengthen cooperation.

Pomaleu urge delegates to find solutions in the deliberations on challenges faced.
“Embracing the digital future is the way forward for us. In order that we fully participate in a digital economy, we must work together to ‘bridge the digital divide’ that currently exists in our economies and within our economies,” he said.
“Roll-out of digital infrastructure, availability and affordability of digital services, ICT literacy to promote take-up of digital services and cyber-security which is a key element of providing trust and confidence by providing a safe and secure digital environment.
“Equally important, delivering government services digitally can drive take-up and use of digital services, both inside government and across the wider public.
“The digitalisation of services can bring significant cost savings for governments. The infrastructure deployed to support e-government can promote wider access to digital services.”
“Our national policies and legal frameworks across Apec economies needs to be harmonised to enable cross border transactions and trade as well as collaboration.”
The meeting ends on Friday.