Background
The rapid adoption of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, and smart big data, has profoundly transformed the socio-economic landscape of the Asia-Pacific region. This shift has accelerated the transition toward a digital society, characterized by widespread online work, enhance productivity, and transformative opportunities in sectors such as education, health, disaster risk reduction, and social development. It has also exposed and exacerbated longstanding inequalities.
In response to these evolving challenges and emerging needs, members and associate members of ESCAP can strengthen their digital policy cooperation through the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway (APIS) Action Plan 2022–2026. This was highlighted in ESCAP resolution 79/10 on “Promoting digital cooperation and inclusion through the Action Plan for Implementing the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway Initiative, 2022–2026” in May 2023.
As the current Action Plan 2022–2026 approaches its conclusion, and in line with the terms of reference of the APIS Steering Committee—which stipulate that “at the end of the 5-year implementation period of the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway action plan, the governance structure and terms of reference will be reviewed and assessed at the Steering Committee”—preparations for the next phase are underway.
In June 2025, the ESCAP secretariat invited nominations from members and associate members to form an informal drafting group responsible for developing and finalizing the APIS action plan 2027–2030. The final draft will be presented to the ninth session of the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway Steering Committee (APIS SC-9) on 4-5 December 2025 for consideration and approval. The approved action plan will be submitted to the Committee on Information and Communications Technology and Science, Technology, and Innovation (CICTSTI-5) at its fifth session for adoption in September 2026.
The APIS SC-9, scheduled for 4–5 December 2025 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, is co-organized by the ESCAP secretariat and the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications of Cambodia. This session will finalize and approve the new action plan for 2027–2030, prepared by the informal drafting group, as well as the composition of the APIS Bureau for the term 2025–2028. The secretariat appreciates the Government of Cambodia's significant contributions and collaboration in hosting this pivotal event, which underscores the Government’s commitment to advancing digital inclusion and transformation across the region.
To maximize synergies and foster broader cooperation, APIS SC-9 (4-5 December) and Regional Review of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) will be held back-to-back with the Digital Government Forum of Cambodia (5-7 December) and the Digital Financial Inclusion initiative (4 December) of the Korean Federation of Community Credit Cooperatives (KFCC). This strategic alignment aims to enrich discussions on digital inclusion and transformation by convening a diverse array of stakeholders, including ministries, state organizations, ICT solution providers, investors, telecommunications operators, universities, and representatives from civil society. Participants will exchange experiences and best practices in promoting digital government services and building community-level financial systems. The secretariat also extends its gratitude to KFCC, the ITU and all UN partner organizations for the valuable cooperation and sharing of expertise, which enhances the overall impact of these interconnected events.
Contact Persons:
<ESCAP>
Gaston Melofelgueres (Mr.)
Secretary for APIS & Associate Expert
ICT and Development Section (IDS)
ICT and Disaster Risk Reduction Division (IDD)
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
E-mail: gaston.melofelgueres@un.org; with copy to: kimt@un.org and escap-ids@un.org
<Ministry of Post and Telecommunications: MPTC >
Sophearathna Ros (Ms.)
Legal Officer
Department of Legal Affairs
Ministry of Post and Telecommunications of the Kingdom of Cambodia
E-mail: sophearathna-ros@mptc.gov.kh; with copy to: somalyda-chea@mptc.gov.kh
