Asia-Pacific Countries Set Out Course of Action for Bridging the Digital Divide
Narrow coverage of telecommunication networks and limited ownership or affordable access to personal computers, information services and knowledge on how to use information and communication technology continue to be the main reasons for the persistence of the Asia-Pacific region's "digital divide" – the disparity in access to the Internet between high-income and low-income countries. That was one of the main conclusions of the First Session of the Committee on Information and Communication Technology, which ended today. [21 November 2008]

Digital divide remains glaring in Asia despite growth in mobile telephones
Despite significant progress Asia and the Pacific has made in utilizing ICT, such as with the rapid growth of mobile phone subscriptions, a significant disparity still remains in access to the Internet between high-income and low-income countries. How to overcome this "digital divide" is the focus of a meeting being held in Bangkok by the United Nations' regional arm - ESCAP. The two-day meeting, which opened on Tuesday, has gathered ICT experts from governments, the academia, UN and other international agencies, and the private sector including from Microsoft. [18 November 2008]

UN calls for more integrated approach to manage rapid urban growth in Asia
Policy-makers in Asia and the Pacific need to take a more integrated approach in managing urban growth in order to ensure that the rapid expanding cities in the region are both economically and environmentally sustainable, a United Nations official told the largest gathering on air quality management in the region. Speaking today in Bangkok at the Better Air Quality 2008 (BAQ) workshop, which has brought together about 1,000 participants from over 35 countries, Shaoyi Li, a senior environment official from the United Nations ESCAP spoke of the need to encourage decision-makers in Asian cities to look at population, environmental, social and economic issues as one. [12 November 2008]

Experts to Address Problem of Lack of Access to Water and Sanitation for Millions in Asia-Pacific Region
Despite important progress in recent years, half of the people in Asia still have no access to adequate sanitation and almost 20 per cent lack improved water sources – despite the fact that numerous technically feasible and financially sustainable solutions exist. This is one of the broad topics that will be addressed at the 2^nd International WASH Practitioners’ Marketplace and Fair, in the town of Cox’s Bazaar, in Bangladesh, between 11-13 November. The Fair will also address specific topics such as integrated water resource management, community participation and sanitation entrepreneurship. [10 November 2008]

New Forum to Help Develop Gender and Poverty-Sensitive Energy Policies in Asia-Pacific Region
Efforts to help developing countries in reducing poverty received a boost today when experts and policy makers from throughout the Asia Pacific region joined together to create a regional forum designed to help provide women and poor families reliable access to energy. The Policy Innovation Forum (PIF) was officially launched by the International Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy (ENERGIA), in partnership with the UN EESCAP, at the conclusion of a two-day meeting entitled the High Level Regional Policy Meeting on Networking Towards Gender and Poverty Sensitive Energy Policies. [4 November 2008]