Overview and Background
Digital technologies including information and communication technologies (ICT) for development are cutting across many sectors. Progress on certain SDGs can be traced and correlated with ICT progress, especially in monitoring SDG 9: Infrastructure, Industrialization and Innovation, SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, which suggests that these may be the areas with the greatest potential for leveraging ICT for sustainable development.
At its current trajectory, Asia and the Pacific is reversing its trends in achieving of many of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 (ESCAP (2019), SDG Progress Report 2019.
Some countries are heading in the wrong direction for more than half of the SDGs, and the progress is stagnant. Most at risk are the countries with special needs. Limited progress has been made towards Goal 9 on supporting industry, innovation and infrastructure, while the efforts towards Goal 11 on building sustainable cities and communities have been slow in the South and South-West Asia as well as Central Asia. Goal 17 seeks to strengthen global partnerships and means of implementation to achieve the ambitious targets of the 2030 Agenda through digital technologies. Official development assistance for technical cooperation (17.9.1) and fixed broadband access (17.6.2) are two indicators that all subregions need to accelerate substantially. The intercountry digital divide has widened, with many countries going ahead in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) field. Another critical constraining factor in achievement of SDGs is the investment in the next generation infrastructure, which has lagged.
The role of digital infrastructure, technology and innovation for the achievement of the SDGs in Asia and the Pacific is crucial and instrumental in making progress towards SDGs. To enable and to manage the progress through the real-time tracking, the massive amounts of data needed to be collected and processed. This processing, in turn, create new demands on digital communications infrastructure. Gigabit networks ensure infrastructure connectivity, characterized by higher speed, lower latency than ever before, which is a critical link between Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
This thematic area illustrates progress made and provides an overview of the policy bottlenecks and highlights case studies with policy pathways in line with SDGs. The choice of countries on leverage points of multiple impacts is critical for the way forward. The thematic area focuses on digital solutions that accelerate achievements and, where necessary, reverse the specific SDG progress trends. The case studies, results of the capacity building efforts and the policy toolkits highlight the transformative pathways towards inclusive and digital economies.
Useful links:
Asia Pacific-Information Superhighway
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In 2019 ESCAP member States endorsed resolution 75/7 (ESCAP/RES/75/7) on “advancing the implementation of the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway (AP-IS) initiative through regional cooperation.” Its Master Plan 2019-2022 (ESCAP/75/INF/5), the Regional Cooperation Framework Document 2019-2022 (ESCAP/75/INF/6), and technical working groups set up at the request of member countries guide the implementation of the AP-IS initiative.
The Master Plan, as a strategic initiative 2 of the AP-IS prioritizes establishment of the sufficient number of Internet exchange points, at the national and subregional levels to minimize transit costs and improve the Internet’s speed.
Internet exchange point coordinate and link all Internet traffic locally within a country or a group of countries, reduce transit costs of internet traffic exchanged internationally, reduce Internet traffic tromboning effect, and improving the quality of domestic users’ access through more direct connections to local and cached contents.
Please find an interactive map here.
Despite the substantial gains reaped from broadband Internet across all sectors, progress has been uneven across Asia and the Pacific, which remains one of the most digitally divided regions in world. The widening digital divide is a legitimate source of concern. To address this concern, the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway concept was defined at the 1st meeting of the Working Group on the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway based on the above-mentioned research and analysis that identified gaps, opportunities and the need for regional cooperation on topics related to the three pillars:
Connectivity for All: Expanding access to resilient digital infrastructure.
Digital Technologies and Applications: Promoting innovative digital solutions and emerging technologies.
Digital Data: Enhancing data governance and use for inclusive development.
The APIS Action Plan 2022–2026 serves as a roadmap for achieving universal digital connectivity, advancing digital transformation, and building an inclusive digital society. It aligns with global frameworks, including the UN Secretary-General’s Common Agenda on Improving the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact, and the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Action Lines, which emphasize connecting all people to the Internet, preventing Internet fragmentation, protecting data, and promoting digital commons as global public goods.
On 19-20 August 2020, during the third session of ESCAP’s Committee on Information and Communications Technology, Science, Technology, and Innovation (CICTSTI), members recommended establishing a Drafting Group under the APIS Steering Committee to develop the Action Plan for 2022–2026.
The plan was adopted at the fourth CICTSTI session on 20 August 2022 and endorsed by the ESCAP Commission at its 79th session in May 2023 through Resolution 79/10, titled “Promoting digital cooperation and inclusion through the Action Plan for Implementing the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway Initiative, 2022–2026.”
According to the AP-IS governance structure, the AP-IS Steering Committee (AP-IS SC) addresses regional implementation related to the four pillars of AP-IS. Sub-regional implementation is to be carried out by policymakers working in close cooperation with academia and the private sector. More on the ESCAP Committees on Information and Communications Technology, Science, Technology and Innovation is available here.
For previous meetings of AP-IS SC, please visit:
- First Session of the AP-IS SC
- Second Session of the AP-IS SC
- Third Session of the AP-IS SC
- Fourth Session of the AP-IS SC
- Fifth Session of the AP-IS SC
- Sixth Session of the AP-IS SC
- Seventh Session of the AP-IS SC
- Eighth Session of the AP-IS SC
Working Groups
- Working Group 1
- Working Group 2
- Working Group 3
Sub-regional Implementation
Since its founding in 1947, the membership of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific has grown to 53 members and 9 associate members.
You may review a brief summary on the SDG progress of the Asia-Pacific Information Super Highway (AP-IS) per subregion in the accordion tab format below.
Publications:
ESCAP (2019) The Operation of Cross-Border Terrestrial Fibre-Optic Networks in Asia and the Pacific
- South East Asia
ASEAN countries have made extensive investments in fibre and other broadband infrastructure (domestic as well as international). However, a wide gap in the level of access and services exists among the ASEAN countries. The average Internet speed in ASEAN countries falls below the world average, except in Singapore and Thailand. Cambodia, Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar and Viet Nam would require additional investments to expand their domestic networks.International connectivity in most ASEAN countries is relatively weak, except in Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore. Cambodia relies on backhaul agreements with other neighbouring countries for international connectivity. Indonesia has weak and limited interregional connectivity and strongly depends on Singapore for its transit capacity. The only landlocked country in the ASEAN subregion, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, has no direct connectivity to submarine cable networks. (source: https://www.unescap.org/commission/75/document/E75_INF5E.pdf)
Publications:ESCAP (2020) In-depth Study of the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway in CLMV Countries
ESCAP (2020) Research Report on the Network Planning for the Greater Mekong Subregion
- Pacific Islands
Despite being separated by the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, small island developing states in the Pacific have gained a stronger sense as a subregional community to act on mutual development concerns with the advent of broadband Internet. Broadband as a form of Internet access provides high call-up speeds, and is offered via digital subscriber line, fibre optic cable and satellite. Broadband connectivity has enabled technological innovations and smart applications that can help address policy challenges in a wide range of development sectors. This sectors cover health, food security, disaster risk reduction, natural resource management, education, trade, energy, transport, public governance and taxation and other.However, broadband access in the Pacific Island countries has been unequal. According to a study by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Artificial Intelligence and Broadband Divide: State of ICT Connectivity in Asia and the Pacific (Bangkok, 2017), there were 19 ESCAP members with 2 per cent or lower fixed-broadband penetration in 2016—of which eight were Pacific Island countries. At the same time, New Caledonia and French Polynesia had more than 19 per cent fixed-broadband penetration, while Fiji, Nauru and Tonga had mobile-broadband penetration of more than 30 per cent.
The benefits of submarine cables to the Pacific subregion are significant because they not only bring high bandwidth capacity, but also considerably lower costs. The submarine cables have connected Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, New Caledonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna. However, inter-island (domestic) connectivity remains seriously constrained with a high proportion of outer islands and remote areas that are not yet connected. Thus, it is important for the Pacific subregion to continue working together with satellite service providers to address the digital gaps in the region. The working paper of ESCAP (2018) on “Satellite Communications in Pacific Island Countries” examines how the Pacific Island countries respond to the challenges and opportunities of submarine cable connectivity through the use of satellite technology to enhance the availability, affordability and resilience of broadband connectivity.
According to ESCAP reports (2020), in the Pacific, few countries have established neutral Internet exchange points. Australia and New Zealand have established Internet exchange points. Papua New Guinea and Fiji have recently established national Internet exchange points in 2017. Consequently in 2018, Vanuatu requested ESCAP to conduct a feasibility study on establishing a Pacific Internet exchange point. ESCAP collaborated with the Internet Society to conduct the study which found that a Pacific Internet exchange point is technically feasible by establishing Internet exchange points in Fiji, New Zealand and Samoa. The main findings were shared in an expert working group in December 2019, and experts recommended that an operational model of a Pacific Internet exchange point be developed. The ESCAP secretariat was requested to undertake the follow-up study and initial findings are expected to be available by the third quarter of 2020 (source: ESCAP, Conclusions and Recommendations of the First session of the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway (AP-IS) Working Group on Strengthening efficient Internet traffic management through a subregional Internet Exchange Point (IXP) in Pacific Island Countries (Suva, 3-5 December 2019).
Publications:
ESCAP (2020) Pacific Internet Exchange Point Feasibility Study
ESCAP (2019) Regulatory Policies and ICT Trends, Insights from Timor-Leste
ESCAP (2019) Satellite Communications in Pacific Island Countries
- Central Asia
The infrastructure connections of these 10 economies with the rest of the world mostly comprise terrestrial landing cables although Pakistan and Georgia have access to submarine cables. These 10 countries are surrounded by the Russian Federation in the north, China in the east, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan in the south, and Turkey in the west. These neighbouring countries could provide additional international bandwidth terrestrially as well as through submarine cables to the landlocked countries. Furthermore, Central Asia has a number of interconnected terrestrial cable networks running through the subregion, such as the Trans-Asia-Europe line, the Europe-Persian Express Gateway and the Trans-Eurasian Information Superhighway. These cable systems could be tapped for international bandwidth by the landlocked countries. Furthermore, these cable systems present an opportunity for alternative redundant routes to the existing choke points in the current undersea cable system. More here.The needs of landlocked developing countries in general and in Central Asia, in particular are one of the central pillars of the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway initiative. Although the broadband penetration is generally low, the digital transformation is evident in countries of North and Central Asia. Since 2012, the countries in Central Asia have tripled the mobile-broadband subscriptions, and the fixed broadband increased by 200 per cent. The massive amounts of data will be generated, and new demands on communications infrastructure now and in the future will be created. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are leading the broadband infrastructure development in the subregion.
According to the latest ITU data (accessed 21 January 2020), some Central Asian countries still have one of the highest mobile and broadband subscription fees together with the limited international data flow. The fixed broadband service fees in Tajikistan are ten times more than in Singapore, seen through percentage of GNI per capita. International Internet bandwidth per capita in Singapore is one hundred times higher than in Uzbekistan.
As a mid-term result of the implementation of the Development Account project of ESCAP in 2019 on Addressing the transboundary dimensions of the 2030 Agenda through regional economic cooperation and integration (RECI) in 2019, the national focal points from different sectors in selected pilot countries had strengthened their understanding and institutional and human capacity needs in improving planning approaches in cross-sectoral, cross-border co-deployment among ICT,4 transport and energy sectors, integrating with measures on the disaster risk reduction, social inclusion and sustainable financing. As a result, participants were able to identify and communicate on 5 and 6 transport corridors at the national level in Kazakhstan and in Mongolia, respectively, with a high potential for co-deployment of infrastructure from the cross-boundary perspective of RECI.
Publications:Toolkit for ICT Infrastructure Co-Deployment with Road Transport and Energy Infrastructure Part II
ESCAP- RECI Webinars:
4 Note from ESCAP Secretariat: co-deployment in terms of infrastructure means the concomitant deployment of ducts and/or FOCs during the construction of infrastructure, such as new roads, highways, railways, power transmission lines and oil/gas pipelines.
- South Asia
ESCAP analysis of telecommunications, Internet markets and broadband infrastructure in nine countries in the subregion in 2018 (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Turkey) reveals a sharp disparity among the countries in terms of bandwidth availability. Such a disparity is detrimental to economic growth, social development and inclusiveness. This weak terrestrial fibre-optic connectivity has been the root cause of the subregion’s bandwidth inequality and low capacity, high cost and unreliability. (ESCAP, “An in-depth study on the broadband infrastructure in South and West Asia”. It has led to expensive consumer and wholesale pricing of bandwidth and the limited availability and penetration of advanced ICT services and applications, including broadbandIn 2018, Turkey’s per capita international Internet bandwidth was more than 30 kilobytes per second, while Bangladesh’s was only 0.3 kilobyte per second, a ratio of 100 to 1. Countries such as Bangladesh, India and Nepal (which together account for one fifth of the world’s population) have per capita international Internet bandwidth at less than 1 kilobyte per second; bandwidth in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Pakistan and Sri Lanka is also extremely weak, at 2.2 kilobytes per second or less, while, in comparison, the average in Western Europe is approximately 100 kilobytes per second. The annual 1 megabit per second broadband subscription plus installation as a percentage of nominal gross domestic product per capita varies from extremely affordable (Turkey), affordable (Sri Lanka), reasonable (Bhutan, India, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Maldives), somewhat expensive (Pakistan) to very expensive (Bangladesh and Nepal).
Publications:
ESCAP (2019), ICT Co-Deployment with the Electricity Infrastructure, The Case of Bhutan
- North East Asia
North East Asian countries, including China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, have over the past half century experienced a remarkable pace of growth in the ICT sector, experiencing technological development with advanced broadband networks and widespread broadband access.China is going through a distinctive transformation of traditional industries via digital technology and has become one of the largest ICT markets in the world. Capitalizing on the extensive telecommunications networks, Japan is now widely known as a country with well-established e-government and proactively involves the public in decision-making through ICT related channels. The Republic of Korea, a country where it was difficult to access even basic telephony until the beginning of the 1980s, now consistently ranks as one of the most advanced countries in the ICT sector since 2000s.
Publications:
COVID-19, Testing time for resilience in recovering from COVID-19: Korean experience
ESCAP- RECI Webinars:https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/d8files/event-documents/RECI%20project%20events%202018-2022.
Research and Analysis
ESCAP promotes digital inclusion through its analysis of the economic and social impacts of future and near-future ICT trends. From cloud computing and the power of big data to the latest Internet applications that simplify everyday tasks, cutting edge technologies on the horizon offer opportunities to accelerate economic growth, increase social inclusion, and provide new tools in the fight against poverty and climate change.
ESCAP supports communication technologies for inclusive and sustainable development through a range of policy analysis, capacity building, and partnership engagement activities. Developed and administered by ESCAP, in partnership with the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, the Asia-Pacific Gateway for Disaster Risk Management and Development is an interactive web platform that provides a range of tools and products that enable government ministries, civil society and national development planning authorities to mainstream disaster risk reduction principles, concepts and practices into development processes. ESCAP also analyzes regional trends related to smart cities, cybersecurity, and e-resilience.
ESCAP studies highlight the widening digital divide between and within the countries in the region. Thirty-six member states in Asia and the Pacific region are classified as countries with special needs which comprise of least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) and small island developing States (SIDS). Fourteen out of 26 Asia-Pacific countries with special needs where data is available, have fixed-broadband penetration rate below 2 per cent of total population.
With an emergence of Internet bandwidth intensive technologies, the countries with low bandwidth capacity may be find it increasingly difficult to capitalize on the opportunities presented by such innovations. Even for those that have access to broadband connectivity, the access may not be affordable.
At least 29 Asia-Pacific countries had unaffordable fixed-broadband subscriptions in 2017 according to the latest ITU data. In addition, some countries also suffer from limited speed and high latency. Some broadband infrastructure initiatives have been delayed, due to complicated multi-stakeholder negotiation processes and high investment costs of deploying fiber-optic cables. ITU Transmission Map was used as a basis for regional and sub-regional policy dialogues and consensus building when the need for broadband networks and Internet traffic management were discussed. Such dialogues led to the formulation of co-deployment projects in Central Asia and initiatives to establish IXPs in the Pacific and Southeast Asia.”
The ITU has also released the The State of Broadband: Tackling digital inequalites report in September 2020 with UNESCO as part of the ten year anniversary of their Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development.
Policy Briefs:
| Traffic Network Management |
| Enhancing Cybersecurity in Asia and the Pacific |
| Cyber Resilience in Asia-Pacific, A Review of National Cybersecurity Strategies |
Tools and Methodologies
- Asia-Pacific E-Resilience Toolkit
- The Infrastructure Co-deployment Partnership Portal
- The Infrastructure Corridors Simulator
- Compatibility potential of ICT infrastructure co-deployment with road transport and energy infrastructure (Page 17)
- A parametric model of ICT infrastructure co-deployment with road, transport and energy infrastructure (Page 29)
- Assessment of economic efficiency of the ICT infrastructure co-deployment with road transport or energy infrastructure (Page 31).
- Identification of development projects for road transport and energy infrastructure attractive for co-deployment with ICT infrastructure (Page 38).
- Typical design project together with initial data templates for the design of ICT infrastructure co-deployment with road transport and energy infrastructure (Page 54)
Sources:
ESCAP (2020) Toolkit for ICT Infrastructure Co-Deployment with Road Transport and Energy Infrastructure. Part II.
ESCAP (2020) An In-Depth National Study on ICT Infrastructure Deployment along Road Transport and Energy Infrastructure in Kazakhstan. Part I
ESCAP (2020) An In-Depth National Study on ICT Infrastructure Deployment along Road Transport and Energy Infrastructure in Kyrgyzstan. Part I
Case Study:
Opportunities of Linking Environmental Accounting and Digitization through Blockchain
Toolkit for Determining the Most Promising Scenario for Infrastructure Corridor Development:
Partnership Portal on Co-deployment:
https://drrgateway.net/partnership-portal-co-deployment
ESCAP- RECI Webinars:
https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/d8files/event-documents/RECI%20project%20events%202018-2022.
RECI Project Resources:
https://unescap.org/sites/default/d8files/event-documents/RECI%20project%20resources_5.pdf