ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

We are pleased to share highlights from the opening ceremony of the Maprik Smart Village Workshop and Training that was held on 27 February 2025, in Maprik, East Sepik, Papua New Guinea.   This event is a continued collaborative effort between the Government of Papua New Guinea (DICT and NICTA), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Asian Development Bank drawing synergy from the European Union Rural Entrepreneurship, Investment, and Trade Programme (EU STREIT). The ceremony was held at the Maprik Secondary School that also hosts the resource center and health Clinic. Secretary Department of ICT, Provincial Administration, Town Administration, Community Leaders, School Deputy Principals and ITU shared their experiences and commitment to the Smart Village Maprik programme .   More than 500 high school students, teachers, village councillors, and community leaders participated, demonstrating their commitment to leveraging technological advancements for the benefit of all.   We would like to extend our thank to Mr. Paul Dingu, Town Mayor of Maprik, Mr. Raymond Bakavi, CEO of Maprik District, Maprik Secondary School Principal, the Village Councillors for Kwatgu Village, Waikakum Village, and Miko Village for their active ongoing support.   Thank you to all partners for making this workshop a cornerstone for future developments in Papua New Guinea. 🌱🤝 International Telecommunication Union | Atsuko Okuda, Ph.D | ASHISH NARAYAN | Kanagat Alyshbaev | Molland Saluali | Thaworn Buahorm | Rury Demsey | PNG Department of Information and Communications Technology

🌟 On 25 February, under the Smart Islands initiative, we officially launched the digital hub in Jabwor, Jaluit Atoll, Marshall Islands! 💻 The community now has easy access to computers, the internet, online resources, and training, ensuring they benefit from digital access and services. 🌐 The Smart Islands initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Government of the Marshall Islands, UNOPS, and FAO as part of the Joint SDG Fund. 🤝

Continued Consultations on Indonesia's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) System for Electronics ♻️ From 18–20 February 2025, ITU in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs held a series of technical and strategic consultations in Jakarta focused on Indonesia’s EPR system for electronics. Supported by the FCDO, this initiative plays a critical role in shaping post-consumer electronics policy and aligning with the country’s broader circular economy objectives 🌍. During the consultations, the proposed roadmap was presented to representatives from key government ministries, including the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs 📡, the Ministry of Environment 🌳, the Ministry of Finance 💰, the Ministry of National Development Planning 📈, and the Ministry of Home Affairs 🏛️. Discussions focused on testing potential recommendations and solutions against political priorities, with valuable feedback provided on specific EPR system modalities. We also explored the framework for a study on the costs associated with post-consumer electronics management and strengthened synergies with other international organizations involved in e-waste management efforts in Indonesia 🤝. #CircularEconomy #EPR #Ewaste #Indonesia #ITU #Kemkomdigi #FCDO

🌐 Empowering data- driven digital connectivity planning in Indonesia! 🌐   ITU is thrilled to announce the successful cooperation with Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs, Republic of Indonesia in conducting National Training on Broadband Infrastructure Planning, Mapping, and Analysis held from 17-18 February 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The hands-on training equipped participants with essential skills in using open-source tools like QGIS, KeplerGL, and Google Colab. The training was a part of the activities of the project between ITU and Ministry of Science and ICT of the Republic of Korea.   During the training, 35 participants from various government departments (Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs, Ministry of National Development Planning and Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs) learned to collect, analyze, and visualize ICT infrastructure data. They also gained insights into planning and optimizing broadband networks using publicy available data from websites like Wordpop, opencellID ookla amongst others . 📊🌍   It is expected that with the trained participants are in a better position to identify connectivity gaps, plan infrastructure projects, and make data-driven decisions to extend broadband access to un/under-connected areas. 📡💡   Together, we are paving the way for a more connected and inclusive future for ALL! 🇮🇩   #BroadbandInfrastructure #ICTTraining #DigitalTransformation #Connectivity #Indonesia

🌟 Under the Smart Islands Initiative, 85 community members were trained in basic digital literacy, health, CV writing, and scholarship programs on Tonoas Island in the Federated States of Micronesia! 💻🌐 This initiative is being implemented together with the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia as part of the Joint SDG Fund. 🤝  ITU is committed to continuing our efforts to empower communities with digital skills, paving the way for a brighter and more connected future! 🌴✨

🌐Stakeholder consultation to discuss the National Digital Transformation Strategy in Kiribati!🌐   The stakeholder meeting to discuss the proposed National Digital Transformation Strategy was successfully held on 19 February 2025 in Tarawa, Kiribati.   Organized by the Ministry of Information, Communications & Transport (MICT) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), with support from the Joint SDG Fund and UNOPS, this crucial meeting convened key stakeholders from the government, industry, and academia, to discuss and concretize Kiribati’s national digital transformation strategy.   We look forward to our continued collaboration and to bringing digital transformation to Kiribati! 🤝

✨🙏🏽 The ITU was honoured to meet with His Excellency, Dr. Taniela Fusimalohi, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga 🇹🇴 and Minister for MEIDECC, on 10 February 2025. We congratulated His Excellency, Dr. Fusimalohi, on his recent appointment and discussed ongoing support for Tonga’s participation in the Smart Islands initiative, supported by the Joint SDG Fund Programme. 🌏 The meeting covered several key topics, including a feasibility study 📚 aimed at addressing the unique telecommunications/ICT needs of the Pacific Small Island Developing States🌐, Tonga's national digital transformation strategy 💻, and preparations for the ITU WDTC Regional Preparatory Meeting and the ITU Regional Development Forum for Asia and the Pacific. 👩🏽💻 We also expressed appreciation for Tonga's engagement in the Pacific Girls in ICT Day programmes and discussed continued support for the initiative in 2025. 🤝

🎉The ITU visit to Tonga Women in ICT in Nuku'alofa, Tonga on 10 February 2025! During the visit, discussions focused on potential collaborations with the Girls in ICT programme in the Pacific, aiming to empower the next generation of female ICT leaders 🤝. The delivery of digital literacy in Hunga, Vava'u was also explored as the first collaboration under the Smart Islands initiative held in December 2024. 🌴 These initiatives, carried out in collaboration with the Government of Tonga, focus on empowering local communities through enhanced digital skills, paving the way for a digitally inclusive future. 🌟 Thank you to Tonga Women in ICT and all partners for a fruitful discussion. We look forward to making more digital strides together! 🌍

🌍 Join Us at the Global Youth Summit 2025! 📅 Date: 11–13 March 2025 📍 Location: Varadero, Cuba 🎯 Theme: Amplifying Youth Voices in ICT for an Inclusive and Connected Future The Global Youth Summit (GYS-25) is a unique platform to empower young leaders and foster intergenerational dialogue on the future of digital transformation. Youth, ITU members, and stakeholders will come together to share innovative ideas and address ICT-related challenges, driving an inclusive and sustainable digital future. 🔹 Support Youth Participation – Sponsor your national Generation Connect Youth Envoys or youth from LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS. 🔹 Engage in Dialogue – Contribute your expertise and learn from the next generation of changemakers. 🔹 Sponsor the Event – Be part of this exciting initiative! 📢 Let’s amplify youth voices and shape a more connected world! 🌐 👉 Details & Registration: https://lnkd.in/gV9Rqh55 #GlobalYouthSummit #GenerationConnect #YouthEmpowerment #DigitalInclusion #FutureLeaders #GYS25 #ITU

📅 On 12 February 2025, the UN Resident Coordinator in Papua New Guinea and representatives from UNESCO, UN Women, UNDP, UNESCAP, and IOM of the Regional Offices in Bangkok visited the EU STREIT ITU resource center at Brandi Secondary School in Wewak, PNG. The visit was part of the Asia Pacific IBC-DX Integrated Technical Assistance on Digital Transformation mission in Papua New Guinea. 🌏 During the visit, the EU STREIT ITU project hosted a weekly online training session on e-commerce and digital marketing for cocoa and vanilla value chain farmers, fisherfolk, government officials, and local organizations in the remote areas of Sepik Provinces. 🌐💻 These training sessions are crucial in empowering local communities with the digital skills needed to enhance their livelihoods, promote economic growth, and build resilient communities. Together, we are paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive digital future. 🌟