APEC experts vow to boost telecommunication services, networks for anti-disaster response
14/10/2008 17:14
Experts from the 21 APEC economies pledged to improve telecommunication
services and networks to facilitate a rapid and efficient response in times of
emergencies including natural disasters, said Peruvian Vice Minister of
Communications Gonzalo Ruiz yesterday.
"Telecommunications are a key tool for
responding to crisis situations and establishing preventive measures by
improving services and the speed of the network while reinforcing human
capabilities," said Ruiz at the ongoing 38th Telecommunications and Information
Technologies Working Group of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC).
Some 150 APEC experts at the gathering "are studying the joint aims
of the cooperative achievements on telecommunications but from different
perspectives ranging from security to technological development," he
said.
Meanwhile, George Tannahill, an official with the American Federal
Communications Commission, said that APEC economies have been working on the
creation of a Mutual Recognition Agreement to standardize the conformity
assessment process of new telecommunication products.
The agreement is
designed to reduce the costs to make these new technologies easily accessible to
the Asia-Pacific region, said Tannahill.
Established in 1989, APEC was
designed to further enhance the economic growth and prosperity for the
Asia-Pacific region and to strengthen Asia-Pacific community.
As the premier
forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the
region on the basis of non-binding commitments, open dialogue and equal respect
for the views of all participants, it groups 21 economies
Peru is the host of
this year's APEC events.
Xinhua
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