Asia-Pacific Telecommunity

Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT)
Headquarters		Bangkok, Thailand
Membership		38 countries 4 associate states 131 affiliates
Leaders
•	Secretary-General	Areewan Haorangsi
Establishment		1 July 1979
Website http://www.apt.int

The Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT) was founded on the joint initiatives of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

The APT was established by treaty; the treaty was concluded in Bangkok in March 1976 and came into force in February 1979. After the treaty came into force, APT was formally organized on 1 July 1979. The APT is an intergovernmental organization and operates in conjunction with telecom service providers, manufacturers of communications equipment, and research and development organizations active in the field of communication, information and innovation technologies.

APT serves as the focal organization for ICT in the region. The APT covers 38 member countries, with 4 associate members and 131 affiliate members. Through its various programmes and activities, APT has made a significant contribution to the development growth in ICT sectors.

Throughout the past years, APT has been able to assist members in the preparation of Global conferences such as ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP), World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC), World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC), World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) and the ITU meetings. APT is also involved in promoting regional harmonization of their programmes and activities in the region.

APT continues to support and facilitate its members in bringing about a qualitative and sustainable growth and ICT services. APT plays an active role in bridging digital divide that separates the region.

Membership

There are currently 38 member countries, 4 associate members, and 131 affiliate members in the APT. Any member of the ESCAP which is within the region is eligible to be part of the APT while to be an associate member, any territory, part or group of territories within the region which is an associate member of ESCAP is eligible.^[1] Associate members are highlighted in green. A state becomes a member of APT by ratifying the founding treaty, the Constitution of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity.

Member economy (name as used in APEC) Date joining APT  Afghanistan 1979  Australia 1979  Bangladesh 1979  Bhutan 1998  Brunei 1986  Burma (Myanmar) 1979  Cambodia 2007  China 1979  Cook Islands 1987  Fiji 1999  Hong Kong 2009  India 1979  Indonesia 1985  Iran 1980  Japan 1979  North Korea 1994  South Korea 1979  Laos 1989  Macau 1993  Malaysia 1979  Kiribati 2011

Member economy (name as used in APEC) Date joining APT  Maldives 1980  Marshall Islands 2005  FS Micronesia 1994  Mongolia 1991  Nauru 1979    Nepal 1979  New Zealand 1993  Niue 2002  Pakistan 1979  Palau 1996  Papua New Guinea 1993  Philippines 1979  Samoa 2000  Singapore 1979  Solomon Islands 2010  Sri Lanka 1979  Thailand 1979  Tonga 1992  Tuvalu 2011  Vanuatu 2010  Vietnam 1979

Objective

The objective of the Telecommunity shall be to foster the development of telecommunication services and information infrastructure throughout the region with a particular focus on the expansion thereof in less developed areas.

In furtherance thereof, the Telecommunity may:

• Promote the expansion of telecommunication services and information infrastructure and the maximization of the benefits of information and telecommunications technology for the welfare of the people in the region;
• Develop regional cooperation in areas of common interest, including radio communications and standards development;
• Undertake studies relating to developments in telecommunication and information infrastructure technology and policy and regulation in coordination with other international organizations, where pertinent;
• Encourage technology transfer, human resource development and the exchange of information for the balanced development of telecommunication services and information infrastructure within the region; and
• Facilitate coordination within the region with regard to major issues pertaining to telecommunication services and information infrastructure with a view to strengthening the region’s international position.

Principal organs

The APT has three major functioning organs: the General Assembly, Management Committee and General Secretariat. The General Assembly consists of the President and the Vice Presidents; the Management Committee consists of the Chairman and the Vice Chairmen; the General Secretariat consists of the Secretary General, the Deputy Secretary General and other professional staff.

APT sectors

The APT is divided into five sectors each managing different aspects of the matter handled by the Telecommunity:

• Policy and Regulations (PRF).
• Radiocommunication (RF).
• Standardization.
• Human Resource Development (HRD).
• ICT Development (APTICT).

Acceptance and recognition

Over the decades APT has worked in close conjunction with various regional, international and UN organizations:

• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
• International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
• United Nations (UN).
  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
  • United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP).
• Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU).
• Asian Development Bank (ADB).
• Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
• Asia-Pacific Satellite Communications Council (APSCC).
• African Telecommunications Union (ATU).
• European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT).
• Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL).
• Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO).
• European Communications Office (ECO).
• Information for Development Program (InfoDev).
• Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC).
• Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS).
• Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association (PITA).
• Pacific Telecommunications Council (PTC)
• UMTS Forum
• World Bank
• WiMAX Forum
• World Trade Organization (WTO).

Leadership

The APT is headed by a Secretary General who is elected to a three-year term by the member states of the conference at the General Assembly. The Chief Executive of the Telecommunity holds a D-2 rank in the United Nations.

Chief Executives

• Loqman Husain (T.Q.A)
• Boonchoo Phienpanji
• Chao Thongma
• Hiroyasu Sonaki
• Jong Soon Lee
• Amarendra Narayan
• Toshiyuki Yamada
• Areewan Haorangsi

See also

• African Telecommunications Union (ATU)
• European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT)
• Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL)

References