The Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) together with the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) hosted the 5th Meeting of the APT Preparatory Group for the ITU World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly 2024 (APT WTSA24-5).
During the opening ceremony of the APT WTSA24-5, held from August 19-23, 2024, at the Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit, Mr. Trairat Viriyasirikul, Deputy Secretary General Acting Secretary General of the Office of the NBTC, warmly welcomed participants from over 23 APT Members, including Australia, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, the People's Republic of China, the Republic of India, Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Tonga, Singapore, and Vietnam. Additionally, Mr. Masanori Kondo, Secretary General of APT, along with Dr. Hyoung Jun Kim, Chair of APT WTSA24-5, highlighted the importance of this meeting.
Furthermore, Clinical Professor Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck, Chairman of the NBTC, delivered the statement that emphasized the significance of artificial intelligence (AI) in modern telecommunications. AI is seen as a technology with high potential to enhance innovation and global connectivity. However, without standardized protocols, it poses risks to security and privacy, and could become a target for cyber threats. Therefore, addressing these issues under telecommunication regulations and standard-setting will ensure the efficient integration of AI into telecommunications, and establish robust standards to better protect both the networks
and user data.
The APT WTSA24-5 provides a dynamic platform for APT Members, Affiliate Members, and representatives from international organizations to jointly review and approve new resolution proposals, amend or revoke existing resolutions under the ITU's Telecommunication Standardization Sector. This process aims to create a preliminary common proposals for the Asia-Pacific region and to determine the region's stance on supporting or opposing proposals from other regions before presenting them at the ITU World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly 2024 (WTSA-24), scheduled for October 15-24, 2024, in New Delhi, India. The event also featured special activities such as the NOW (Network of Women) Networking Breakfast and the NOW4WTSA-24 Training Session which promotes gender equality and highlights the importance of advancing an equitable society by increasing women's participation in ITU's telecommunications standardization sector.
This meeting marks a significant milestone for Thailand in forging collaboration with APT members to draft a unified proposal under various telecommunication resolutions of the ITU. It is also a crucial step in addressing the evolving challenges of the digital era, ensuring that Thailand is well-prepared for effective participation in upcoming WTSA-24.