​​Background

Digital infrastructure and services have demonstrated their capacity to mitigate the impact of COVID-19, not only on health and well-being, but also on other socio-economic sectors. To mitigate the impact of the COVID‑19 pandemic and ease the adverse impacts on economies and societies, ITU and DITRDC are implementing this Project centered on addressing the three pillars identified by the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development in its COVID-19 Crisis Agenda for Action: (1) development of resilient connectivity, (2) affordable access to ICTs, and (3) safe use of online services. The Project deliverables are expected to leverage the power of ICTs to promote faster and better recovery from the impact of COVID-19.

Project Objectives

• Assist beneficiary Asia-Pacific countries in reviewing gaps in ICT/broadband connectivity and services, as well as current ICT policies and regulatory strategies, to evaluate areas requiring specific attention for effective response to the challenges of COVID-19.
• ​​Assist the ITU membership from the Asia-Pacific region to build enabling environments for the development of online safety strategies in the use of ICTs and resilient, affordable ICT/broadband connectivity infrastructure to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.
• ​​Organize events to provide training and knowledge to Asia-Pacific countries on relevant ITU guidelines and toolkits for connectivity, affordable access to ICTs, and the safe use of online services. ​
  

General Thematic Priority Areas (Access)

Scope of activities

​Alignment with ITU C2R initiative and Broadband Commission for sustainable development, three pillar agenda and key areas of action for faster recovery from COVID-19. Example

​ Resilient Connectivity

​ Affordable Access​

​ ​Safe use of online service

​​

Project activities 

• ​8 countries assisted (Lao PDR, Bhutan, Nepal, Philippines, Tonga, Sri-Lanka, Mongolia, Fiji). (Feedback)
• 3 regional events held:​
  
• Regional Radiocommunication Seminar 2022 for  Asia-Pacific (RRS-22-Asia-Pacific) in Fiji
• Asia-Pacific Regional workshop on Satellite Services, National Regulatory Frameworks, and partnership in Mongolia
• Regional workshop on strengthening of digital infrastructure and ecosystem for COVID-19 recovery in Indonesia
  
• One regional study on Building Resilient National ICT Infrastructure in Asia and the Pacific: Leading Practices for Addressing the Gaps.​ (Key-insights PPT)
  
• ​226 personnel trained​
  
• ​Last Mile Connectivity training: 96 participants trained (ASP online) Report with participants feedback
• ITU-PITA training on resilience of digital network infrastructure for affordable ICT services: 85 participants trained (Pacific sub-regional) Report with participants feedback
• Masterclass on inclusive and resilient Broadcasting development: Report with participants feedback