In-depth Information Session on the Smart Villages and Smart Islands (SVSI) Asia-Pacific Project for Group 2 (Phase I Implementation), 11 June 2026
Meeting background and informationThe ITU Smart Villages and Smart Islands (SVSI) initiative seeks to transform rural and remote communities by improving livelihoods and well-being through enhanced access to digitally enabled services.
To support this objective, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), with financial support from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts (DITRDCSA) of the Government of Australia, is implementing the project “Enhancing the Sustainability of Smart Villages and Smart Islands in the Asia-Pacific".
Building on lessons learned and best practices from Phase I of the SVSI initiative, the project aims to strengthen national sustainability and governance frameworks through a whole-of-government and multi-stakeholder partnership approach, while supporting the scale-up and replication of successful models.
Following the Project Steering Committee (PSC) Inception Meeting held on 24 April 2026, which formally launched the project, confirmed governance arrangements and identified key next steps including coordination mechanisms, focal points, and implementation priorities, ITU will convene a series of in-depth sessions with participating countries.
In this context, this in-depth information session for Group 2 countries (Phase I implementation) was organized the planning and implementation of Phase I project activities in the respective countries and aimed to focus on the practical, implementation of Phase I, what is expected of the focal points and what ITU can offer in the course of implementation.
Objectives of the session
The session aimed to:
- Provide a comprehensive walkthrough of the Phase I implementation process for new participating countries,
- Clarify step-by-step activities, expected outputs, timelines, and reporting requirements,
- Support countries in establishing initial coordination structures, including focal points and governance mechanisms,
- Guide countries in conducting needs assessments and identifying priority areas and pilot locations
- Facilitate alignment on roles and responsibilities between ITU and participating countries,
- Identify national priorities, partnership opportunities, and support required for successful pilot implementation.
Expected outcomesThe session was expected to achieve the following:
- Alignment on the Phase I planning and implementation approach and sequence of activities.
- Initial confirmation of national focal points and coordination mechanisms.
- Improved understanding of needs assessment, pilot design, and implementation steps.
- Agreement on priority activities and indicative timelines for 2026.
- Identification of key partners, resources, and support needs.
- Strengthened readiness of participating countries to initiate SVSI pilots and build foundations for future scale-up.
Target participants · Group 2 countries (Phase I implementation): Bhutan, Cambodia, Lao P.D.R., Timor-Leste, and Tuvalu.
Relevant ministries, national focal points, implementing partners, and stakeholders.
- ITU (implementing agency).
- DITRDCSA (Australia), as project partner.
Date and time: Thursday, 11 June 2026 at 09:00-10:00 (GMT+7) Bangkok time
Format: Online (via Zoom meeting)
Project webpage
For more information, please visit the project webpage at https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/ICT-Applications/Pages/Initiatives/ASP/Smart-Islands/Enhancing-sustainability-of-SVSI-ASP.aspx
Please also explore the Smart Villages and Smart Islands website at https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/ICT-Applications/Pages/Initiatives/ASP/Smart-Islands/Smart-Islands-Initiative.aspx