Distinguished participants, ladies and gentlemen,
It is my great pleasure to welcome all of you to the Eighteenth Session of the Governing Council of the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development.
It is also a pleasure to note that digital transformation has accelerated across many countries, especially in Asia and the Pacific.
However, this digital progress has been uneven due to longstanding challenges related to ICT infrastructure and connectivity, leaving many communities and individuals unable to access digital opportunities.
The digital divide is not only a matter of access and connectivity; it also encompasses gaps in human and institutional capacities for digital development. These gaps extend to disparities in digital literacy, skills training and the readiness of institutions to adopt and benefit from digital technologies.
Addressing these divides is crucial for ensuring that the benefits of digital transformation are shared more broadly and equitably.
To bridge the digital divide, it is essential to focus on enhancing human capacity for digital development, which is closely tied to education and skills training. There are noticeable gaps in digital literacy across the region, and even in areas with adequate access and connectivity, individuals may lack the skills needed to fully utilize digital solutions.
Addressing these gaps will require investments in educational resources, raising awareness, and expanding training programmes.
As the regional arm of the United Nations, ESCAP is committed to shaping regional action by providing a platform for policy dialogue, cooperation and partnership to bridge the digital divide and accelerate digital transformation in the Asia-Pacific region.
And we continue to assist member States in addressing institutional and human capacity gaps in harnessing digital technologies for sustainable development through the work of the APCICT.
The deliberations today will be instrumental to how APCICT can enhance and strengthen the delivery and impact of its work in the region.
While the Centre has made significant contributions to promoting ICT capacity development for policymakers, women entrepreneurs, students and youth, there are areas where we can further improve, not only in programme development and delivery but, more importantly, in ascertaining the impact of the Centre’s activities.
We count on your collective wisdom to set the strategic direction, priorities and programmes for APCICT’s work in the future.
In closing, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Governing Council for its guidance and leadership, which have been instrumental in the Centre’s accomplishments over the last year.
We count on your continued engagement as the Centre expands its footprint in the region and sustains the delivery of much-needed capacity building programmes for member States.
I would especially like to convey our appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Korea for its continued support to the programmes and operation of the Centre.
I would also like to thank other member States who have provided valuable voluntary contributions, as well as national partners, for their financial and in-kind support to implement the Centre’s programmes.
I wish all of you a successful meeting.
Thank you very much.
