The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) will bring together ministers and senior officials from Asia and the Pacific for one of ESCAP’s key intergovernmental meetings – the Committee on ICT and Science, Technology and Innovation (CICTSTI).

The Committee will meet to discuss urgent issues including collaborative actions to harness technologies during pandemics; the digital divide; space applications; inclusive technology and innovation policies for the Sustainable Development Goals; and innovative business models such as social enterprise, inclusive business and impact investing. Delegates from across the region will be highlighting existing good practices, as well as the potential for more cooperation on these agendas.

The Committee session will be held virtually via videoconference on 19 and 20 August 2020. Bangkok-based representatives from member States and international organizations will be able to participate in person at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok. The event will also feature the first of ESCAP’s Regional Conversation Series on Building Back Better: Accelerating Digital Connectivity and Leveraging Innovation.

Members of the media and public are invited to participate in select events via the webcast on https://www.youtube.com/unescap. These open events are:

WEDNESDAY, 19 AUGUST

09:00 – 09:30 (GMT+7)

Agenda Item 1 (Opening of the Event)

12:30 – 14:30 (GMT+7)

High-Level Side Event: Regional Conversation Series on Building Back Better: Accelerating Digital Connectivity and Leveraging Innovation

THURSDAY, 20 AUGUST

12:00 – 13:00 (GMT+7)

Side Event: Launch of E-Government Survey 2020

Background

The Committee on Information and Communications Technology & Science, Technology and Innovation was set up in 2016. The aims of the committee are to put technology at the centre of development policies, plans and programmes nationally and internationally. Previous meetings have focused on the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway, as well as how technology can support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

For more information, visit: https://www.unescap.org/intergovernmental-meetings/committee-information-and-communications-technology-science-technology-and-innovation-third