Asia-Pacific Telecommunity

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Asia-Pacific Telecommunity
AbbreviationAPT
Formation1 July 1979(45 years ago) (1979-07-01)
Type International organization
Purpose Telecommunications
Headquarters Bangkok, Thailand
Coordinates 13°53′07″N100°34′37″E / 13.8852767°N 100.5768847°E / 13.8852767; 100.5768847
Area served
Asia-Pacific
Membership
  • 38 countries
  • 4 associate states
  • 139 affiliates
Secretary General
Masanori Kondo
Website www.apt.int
Stamp of Indonesia, one of the members of the APT. Stamp of Indonesia - 1989 - Colnect 256578 - Asia Pacific Telecommunity.jpeg
Stamp of Indonesia, one of the members of the APT.

The Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) [1] 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).

Contents

The APT was established by an international treaty titled Constitution of the Asia Pacific Telecommunity that was concluded in Bangkok on 27 March 1976 and came into force on 25 February 1979. [2] 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 139 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.

Publication

The Asia-Pacific Telecommunity was founded on July 1, 1979 with the joint operations of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the International Telecommunication Union. “Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT).” Cybil, cybilportal.org/actors/asia-pacific-telecommunity-apt/. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

APT serves as the focal organization for ICT in the region. Currently, the APT has a strength of 38 Members, 4 Associate Members and 139 Affiliate Members. Through its various programmes and activities, the APT has made a significant contribution to the development and growth in the ICT sector. “Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT).” Cybil, cybilportal.org/actors/asia-pacific-telecommunity-apt/. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

The Constitution of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity was adopted on 27 March 1976 by resolution 163 (XXXII)2 of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific at its thirty-second session, which took place at Bangkok, Thailand, from 24 March 1976 to 2 April 1976.  The Constitution was open for signature at Bangkok from 1 April 1976 to 31 October 1976 and at the Headquarters of the United Nations in New York from 1 November 1976 to 24 February 1979. “UN, United Nations, UN Treaties, Treaties.” United Nations, United Nations, treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXV-2&chapter=25&clang=_en. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

What the APT is also known for is the activities it is involved in which are the following:

1) The APT is responsible for the development of telecommunication services and information structure throughout the region.

2) It plays a very crucial role in balancing and synchronizing policies, regulations, and technical standards related to the ICT.

3) The APT conducts various preparatory activities for international conferences including the World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRCs), World Telecommunication Standardization Assemblies (WTSAs), and World Telecommunication Development Conferences (WTDCs).

4) The organization also hosts working groups and forums to address specific issues such as spectrum management, policy, and standardization. “What Is APT (Asia-Pacific Telecommunity).” TELCOMA Training & Certifications, 4 Mar. 2024, telcomatraining.com/what-is-apt-asia-pacific-telecommunity/.

Membership

There are currently 38 Members (countries), 4 Associate Members, and 139 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. [3] 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
Flag of the Taliban.svg  Afghanistan 1979
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 1979
Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh 1979
Flag of Bhutan.svg  Bhutan 1998
Flag of Brunei.svg  Brunei Darussalam 1986
Flag of Cambodia.svg  Cambodia 2007
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 1979
Flag of the Cook Islands.svg  Cook Islands 1987
Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea 1994
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 1999
Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong 2009
Flag of India.svg  India 1979
Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia 1985
Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 1980
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 1979
Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 1979
Flag of Laos.svg  Lao People's Democratic Republic 1989
Flag of Macau.svg  Macau 1993
Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia 1979
Flag of Kiribati.svg  Kiribati 2011
Flag of Maldives.svg  Maldives 1980
MemberDate joining APT
Flag of the Marshall Islands.svg  Marshall Islands 2005
Flag of the Federated States of Micronesia.svg  Micronesia 1994
Flag of Mongolia.svg  Mongolia 1991
Flag of Myanmar.svg  Myanmar 1979
Flag of Nauru.svg  Nauru 1979
Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 1979
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 1993
Flag of Niue.svg  Niue 2002
Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan 1979
Flag of Palau.svg  Palau 1996
Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea 1993
Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines 1979
Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 2000
Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore 1979
Flag of the Solomon Islands.svg  Solomon Islands 2010
Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka 1979
Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand 1979
Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga 1992
Flag of Tuvalu.svg  Tuvalu 2011
Flag of Vanuatu.svg  Vanuatu 2010
Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam 1979

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. [3]

In furtherance thereof, the Telecommunity may:

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.

Executive Directors/Secretaries General

  • Flag of Bangladesh.svg Loqman Husain T.Q.A, Leg d’Hon
  • Flag of Thailand.svg Boonchoo Phienpanji
  • Flag of Thailand.svg Chao Thongma
  • Flag of Japan.svg Hiroyasu Sonoki
  • Flag of South Korea.svg Jong Soon Lee
  • Flag of India.svg Amarendra Narayan
  • Flag of Japan.svg Toshiyuki Yamada
  • Flag of Thailand.svg Areewan Haorangsi
  • Flag of Japan.svg Masanori Kondo

See also

References

  1. Staff writer (2024). "Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT)". UIA Global Civil Society Database. uia.org. Brussels, Belgium: Union of International Associations. Yearbook of International Organizations Online. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  2. "Constitution of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (1979) ATS 4". AustLII . 27 March 1976. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  3. 1 2 How to become a member Asia-Pacific Telecommunity. Retrieved on 2017-05-01.