Thai Information and Communications Technology Minister's Opening Remarks to the 7th APEC Ministerial Meeting on Telecommunications and the Information Industry
Bangkok, Thailand, 23 April 2008 - Thailand's Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Dr. Mun Patanotai, provided opening remarks to the 7th APEC Ministerial Meeting on Telecommunications and Information Industry which opened today in Bangkok.
Emphasizing the importance of pooling knowledge and experience, Dr. Patanotai feels confident about the region achieving universal telecommunications and Internet access along with pro-competitive regulatory regimes and liberalized markets.
He said that the meeting provides an opportunity to share best practices and strategies to meet the challenges and future needs. Over the next few days, APEC Telecommunications Ministers will outline actions to move forward toward the goal of promoting digital prosperity and ensuring a secure environment for Internet and telecommunications uses.
"Human factors are key to the success of ICT development. It is essential to equip people with skills and knowledge," said Dr. Mun Patanotai. "The more we know the better we can cultivate that knowledge to create new innovations that lead to sustainable development.
"Our attempts to promote building capacity would be meaningless if our people do not have proper access in the fundamental technologies," he explained.
Another key issue is promoting universal service to bridge the digital pide.
However, Dr. Patanotai pointed out that APEC still faces substantial challenges in accelerating coverage and access to telecommunications and ICT infrastructure for socially and disadvantaged populations.
"During this meeting, we are hoping to define specific measures to achieve universal accessibility, availability and affordability to telecommunications and ICT infrastructure and services to all within the medium to long-term.
"Equally important is the topic of regulatory framework in this market changing structure... We will identify alternative services and technology, flexible regulatory frameworks are one of the options," he concluded.
In addition, Dr. Patanotai also emphasized that establishing a safe and trustworthy ICT environment must remain on top of the APEC agenda.
The webcast is available for download and use by the media.