Agenda

ICTD-ASP Launch Event & Follow-up Meeting of the Connect Asia-Pacific Summit

The ICTD-ASP launch event and follow-up meeting of the Connect Asia-Pacific Summit brought together a diverse cross-section of stakeholders from across the region. Government representatives, development partners, private sector actors, and civil society organizations gathered in Manila to mark the formal establishment of a platform dedicated to advancing information and communication technology for development across Asia and the Pacific. The agenda was structured to foster meaningful dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaborative planning around priority projects that would benefit from regional coordination and partnership.

Central to the proceedings were the project components that had been identified through earlier stakeholder consultations and advisory processes. Pre-feasibility studies and priority proposals were reviewed during the meeting, with recommendations developed to guide future funding decisions. The selection criteria emphasized alignment with regional development goals, potential for cross-sector impact, and the strength of proposed implementation frameworks. Selected initiatives were designed to be executed through collaboration among partners, drawing on the complementary strengths and resources of each participating organization.

A significant portion of the agenda focused on resource mobilisation and coordination mechanisms. Participants explored guidelines and toolkits aimed at mobilizing financial and technical resources from multiple sources, including international development banks, UN agencies, and national governments. The meeting also highlighted the importance of creating and promoting networks that could identify, compile, and disseminate good practices across the region. By addressing common challenges through shared frameworks, stakeholders aimed to avoid duplication of effort and maximize the impact of limited development resources.

Awareness campaigns, capacity building activities, workshops, and publications were discussed as key vehicles for integrating the lessons learned from the launch event into ongoing regional efforts. The knowledge sharing framework emphasized the need for continuous learning and adaptation as projects moved from conception to implementation. Participants underscored the value of maintaining momentum beyond the meeting itself, with follow-up actions assigned to various partners and a clear commitment to sustaining stakeholder engagement. The event concluded with a renewed sense of purpose and a shared vision for ICT-enabled development across the Asia-Pacific region.