Introduction: The potential of digital economy is fully unleashed through data-driven innovation. To this effect, it is crucially important to enhance online connectivity with secure and quality ICT infrastructure, as well as to promote cross-border data flows across public and business community for accelerating data-driven innovation supported by various digital technologies such as cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT), big data analysis and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Therefore, it is truly beneficial to develop common understandings on what is the essence of quality ICT infrastructure, as well as how to develop policy and regulatory frameworks for formulating inter-operable and flexible globally accepted rules in the digital economy, including but not limited to applicable frameworks for intellectual property protection, data and privacy protection, and cyber security. Also it is meaningful to exchange information and knowledge in a multi-stakeholder manner on how to develop and deploy such digital technologies as cloud computing and IoT effectively , in order to build capacity for related policies and technologies.

The aim of this project is for each economy to share its efforts, experiences and best practices with regard to sound and effective enhancement of online connectivity, and thus support the understanding of all stakeholders as well as the development of related industries in the APEC region.

Project Description: The aim of this project is for participants to share its comprehensive experience and practices, in a multi-stakeholder manner, including following items: 

1)   Government initiatives and regulations

In order to enhance online connectivity in the APEC region, it is important to follow APEC Connectivity Blueprint 2015-2025 and its subsequent works. We have to identify the important elements to realize secure and quality ICT infrastructure, and translate such a concept into actions, including encouragement of cross-border data flows, as we committed in outcomes of 2016 APEC Leaders’ Meeting and Ministerial Meeting in Lima, Peru. Such efforts will definitely contribute to achieving next-generation broadband by 2020, which we also committed to.   To this effect, we will share the information on relevant government initiatives including policies and regulations in the APEC region, and develop common understandings for promoting secure and quality ICT infrastructure, as well as for formulating inter-operable and flexible globally accepted rules in the digital economy.

2)  Adoption of digital technology and data-driven innovation

In order to accelerate our efforts on enhancing online connectivity, it is essential to facilitate adoption of emerging digital technologies, such as cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT), big data analysis and Artificial Intelligence (AI), which play important roles in data-driven innovation. Also, it is truly important to build capacity for enabling effective and smooth adoption of such technologies. To this effect, we will share the information on global business and policy trends regarding development and deployment of such digital technologies, which definitely contribute to formulating appropriate policy and regulatory frameworks and building capacity. 

Planned Activities: The primary work of this project is to hold a half-day workshop, with the participation of parties relevant to the agendas of this project. The aim of this project is for each member economy to share its efforts, experiences and practices regarding above mentioned items, and to conduct relevant discussions and reviews. 

Time line: By receiving the result of TEL54, this project will remain focused on cross-border data flows at TEL55 and TEL56.