Highlights December 2023
4 - 8 December
Cybersecurity: Asia and Pacific
The ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific organized the Child Online Protection Regional Concluding Workshop to review and highlight project achievements, share experiences and lessons learned, and foster collaborative partnerships. The workshop featured panel discussions with UN agencies and intergovernmental organizations, government representatives, industry and children's rights stakeholders, academia members, and ITU Generation Connect Youth Envoys. The beneficiary countries' representatives from Mongolia, Bhutan, Thailand, Pakistan, Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines showcased their national Child Online Protection regulations, strategies and good practices, as well as delivered their appreciation for the support from ITU and the government of Australia to make the Child Online Protection localized work a big success.
Digital inclusion: CIS
The ITU Regional Office for the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) participated in a round table discussion on 'Using New Technologies to Improve Living Standards and Ensure an Inclusive Approach' to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This event was organized by the UN Information Centre in Moscow, the Joint Programme of the Russian Federation and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The discussions held during this gathering were of importance, as they played a role in shaping strategies and fostering collaboration to create a more accessible future for all.
The Regional Office also participated in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) webinar in observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. ITU shared insights and expertise on harnessing digital tools to advance inclusive education.
Digital inclusion: CIS
ITU in the CIS region participated in UNESCO webinar in observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities : On December 4, ITU in the CIS region actively participated in a webinar hosted by UNESCO in observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The primary objective of the webinar was to commemorate this significant day and, concurrently, to elucidate how digital technologies contribute to fostering inclusive education, particularly from the perspective of ITU. Within this forum, ITU shared insights and expertise on harnessing digital tools to advance inclusive education.
Digital inclusion: Global
Following the launch of the ITU Handbook on mainstreaming gender in digital policies, interregional online workshops were held on ‘Getting familiar with the Handbook to mainstream gender in digital policies’ to share information, and provide practical guidance and insights designed for policy makers to ensure that gender specific needs are taken into consideration in digital spaces. Follow-up activities are planned in the coming year to strengthen the capacity of policy makers building upon the insights shared during the workshop.
Digital services and applications: CIS
The ITU Regional Office for the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) organized the GovStack introductory information session, marking a first step in a series of planned activities to be organized in frames of the regional coordination program. This session provided a comprehensive overview of GovStack, presenting opportunities for participation in the initiative and facilitating the exchange of experiences among participating countries. Participants actively engaged in discussion, sharing opinions and expressing their specific requests for upcoming activities. Aligned with the GovStack approach, which advocates for interoperable, secure by design, universal, and multi-purpose building blocks, the session aimed to enhance the knowledge of participants on digitalization of government services across sectors and facilitate broad engagement of relevant government bodies and organizations from the CIS Region into this initiative.
Digital services and applications: Asia and Pacific
The ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific participated in the Micronesia Joint Programme (JP) meeting chaired by the UN Resident Coordinator in Micronesia, along with 5 other UN participating agencies. During the meeting, ITU presented the progress and challenges faced by ITU components within the UN
digital transformation JP. Both ITU and the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC) reiterated the importance of closer inter-agency collaboration, enhanced accountability among UN agencies, and emphasized the crucial support from the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office in Micronesia. These factors are seen as essential enablers in achieving the goals of the UN Joint Programme. All UN agencies involved in the JP are committed to advancing the implementation of this ambitious program. Its success is expected to pave the way for future digital transformation JPs funded by the newly opened "Digital Window" of the Joint Funding mechanism at the UN.
Policy and regulation: Asia and Pacific
The ITU Area Office for South Asia & Innovation Centre was pleased to participate in the India Internet Governance Forum (IIGF) 2023 held in New Delhi. It is an initiative associated with the UN Internet Governance Forum, that facilitates a common understanding of how to maximize Internet opportunities and address risks and challenges that may arise. Attending the panel on ‘Bridging Divides’, ITU highlighted its work on bridging the digital divides through various initiatives following the ‘whole of government’ and ‘whole of society’ approach. The event brought together diverse stakeholders to delve deeper into issues such as building a secure, trusted & resilient cyberspace, Enabling Innovation for India’s Developmental Goals, Bridging Divides and Calibrating India’s Digital Agenda.