Asia-Pacific Telecommunity

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).

Asia Pacific Telecommunity
Logo of the Asia Pacific Telecommunity
AbbreviationAPT
Formation1 July 1979 (1979-07-01)
TypeInternational organization
PurposeTelecommunications
Headquarters Bangkok, Thailand
Coordinates13.8852767°N 100.5768847°E / 13.8852767; 100.5768847
Area served
Asia-Pacific
Membership
  • 38 countries
  • 4 associate states
  • 137 affiliates
Secretary-General
 Areewan Haorangsi
Websitewww.apt.int

The APT was established by an international treaty titled: Constitution of the Asia Pacific Telecommunity concluded in Bangkok on 27 March 1976 and came into force on 25 February 1979.[1] 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 organization for information and communications technology (ICT) in the region. The APT covers 38 Members, 4 Associate Members, and 137 Affiliate Members.

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.

Membership

There are currently 38 Members (countries), 4 Associate Members, and 137 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.[2] 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.

MemberDate joining APT
 Afghanistan1979
 Australia1979
 Bangladesh1979
 Bhutan1998
 Brunei Darussalam1986
 Cambodia2007
 China1979
 Cook Islands 1987
 North Korea1994
 Fiji1999
 Hong Kong 2009
 India1979
 Indonesia1985
 Iran1980
 Japan1979
 South Korea1979
 Lao People's Democratic Republic1989
 Macau 1993
 Malaysia1979
 Kiribati2011
 Maldives1980
MemberDate joining APT
 Marshall Islands2005
 Micronesia1994
 Mongolia1991
 Myanmar1979
 Nauru1979
   Nepal1979
 New Zealand1993
 Niue 2002
 Pakistan1979
 Palau1996
 Papua New Guinea1993
 Philippines1979
 Samoa2000
 Singapore1979
 Solomon Islands2010
 Sri Lanka1979
 Thailand1979
 Tonga1992
 Tuvalu2011
 Vanuatu2010
 Vietnam1979

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.

Structure

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.

The APT is divided into five sectors each managing different aspects of the matter handled by the Telecommunity. These sectors are Policy and Regulations (PRF), Radiocommunication (RF), Standardization, Human Resource Development (HRD), and ICT Development (APTICT).

Leadership

The APT is headed by a Secretary General who is elected to a three-year term by the Member States at the General Assembly.

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

See also

References
  1. "Constitution of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (1979) ATS 4". AustLII. 27 March 1976. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  2. How to become a member Asia-Pacific Telecommunity. Retrieved on 2017-05-01.
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