Asian nations have greenlit a plan to produce a joint system to battle against the use of counterfeit and stolen mobile phones, and accelerate other future technologies.
India Minister of State for Communications Devusinh Chauhan and Myanmar Ministry of Transport and Communications Admiral Tin Aung San co-chaired the second annual ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations) Digital Ministers (ADGMIN) meeting.
During which ministers approved the ‘2022 ASEAN-India Digital Work Plan’, a structure to accelerate a variety of technologies earmarked to improve society.
As well as combating the use of stolen and counterfeit mobile handsets, the nations will work to improve public WiFi access networks, capacity building and knowledge sharing in emerging areas in the fields such as the Internet of Things, 5G and Advanced Satellite.
The meeting discussed and deliberated various matters relevant to strengthening regional digital cooperation in the spirit of digital inclusion and integration.
Digital ministers also called for more collaboration with the private sector in order to develop quality digital infrastructure and innovations, to spur sustainable growth in Asia
Countries committing to the work plan included: Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
In the virtual meeting, Chauhan emphasised that Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) enable and strengthen democratic systems and institutions through enhanced engagement between citizens and the state.
He said that the use of ICTs promotes free speech, human rights, and the free flow of information besides broadening citizens' opportunities to participate in the decision-making process and has the potential to transform the lives of people living in rural areas.
