September 2025

 

Recent Events:

 

·       The 2nd Meeting of the APT Conference Preparatory Group for WRC-27 (APG27-2)

·       The 18th APT Policy and Regulation Forum for Pacific (PRFP-18)

·       The Meeting of the SATRC Working Group on Spectrum

·       APT Web Dialogue on WSIS+20 Review Process (No.2)

Upcoming Events:

 

·       The 35th Meeting of the APT Wireless Group (AWG-35)

·       The 5th Meeting of the APT Preparatory Group for WTDC-25 (APT WTDC25-5)

·       The Meeting of the SATRC Working Group on Policy, Regulation and Services

·       The 25th APT Policy and Regulatory Forum (PRF-25)

·       The 22nd APT Telecommunication/ICT Development Forum (ADF-22)

·       The 13th Meeting of the Working Group of Management Committee on APT Legal Instruments (WGMC-13)

·       The 26th Meeting of the South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC-26)

 

Recent Events

 

The 2nd Meeting of the APT Conference Preparatory Group for WRC-27 (APG27-2): 28 July - 1 August 2025, Pattaya, Thailand  

 

The 2nd Meeting of the APT Conference Preparatory Group for WRC-27 (APG27-2) was held in Pattaya, Thailand, from 28 July to 1 August 2025. It was organized by the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT). The meeting was attended by 704 delegates, of whom 380 participated in person. 30 APT Members, 1 Associate Member, 33 Affiliate Members, and 6 international organizations were represented at the meeting.

 

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The objectives of the meeting were:

1) to finalise appointment of drafting group chairs for individual WRC-27 agenda item

2) to arrange briefing sessions on WRC-27 agenda items

3) to consider the progress in ITU-R Study Groups in relation to WRC-27 agenda items, and take necessary actions as appropriate

4) to develop APT preliminary views on WRC-27 agenda items based on input contributions from APT Members

5) to review the activities of other regional organisations, in particular, their preliminary views/positions with a view to fostering inter-regional cooperation

6) to review issues related to RA-27 and develop preliminary views of APT, if any

 

As pending work of APG27-1, APG27-2 elected Mr. Christopher Worley (Australia) and Mr. Ali Reza Darvishi (Islamic Republic of Iran) as Vice-Chairs of APG-27. Mr. Zhao Zheng (People’s Republic of China) was appointed as Special Adviser to APG-27, with the similar status of the Vice-Chairs. The meeting also appointed Mr. Bharat Bhatia (India) as Chair of the Editorial Committee of APG-27 with the similar status of the Vice-Chairs. APG27-2 also confirmed the appointment of Chairs/Co-Chairs of the Working Parties (WPs) of APG-27 which were temporarily decided at APG27-1. APG27-2 also approved the list of Drafting Group (DG) Chairs which were appointed by the various WPs of APG-27. The complete list of the Office Bearers of APG-27 and list of DG Chairs are available at APT website.

 

APG27-2 received over 120 contributions, which were discussed extensively across 58 sessions during the 5-day meeting, involving Plenary, Working Parties (WPs), and Drafting Groups (DGs). These discussions led to the development of APT’s Preliminary Views on WRC-27 agenda items, now available on the APT website. A dedicated session focused on preparations for the 2027 Radiocommunications Assembly (RA-27), addressing issues related to the RAG Correspondence Group (CG) on CPM matters. As a result, APG27-2 established a new group, CG-RA/RAG, to facilitate information sharing among APT members and explore improvements to the CPM process and potential updates to ITU-R Resolution 2-9. Mr. David Murray of Australia was nominated as Chair of this group, which will correspond via APG’s new web portal at http://apg.apt.int.

 

APG27-2 also had a session on APT Network of Women for WRC-27 (APT NOW4WRC-27) which was Chaired by Ms. Cheng Fenhong who was nominated as the Coordinator of APG-27 for NOW4WRC-27 activities. APG27-2 agreed to start the APT Mentoring Program as associated activities of  NOW4WRC-27 which will be conducted using the APT web-application developed in this purpose.

 

APG27-2 agreed to hold one APG-27 meeting each year in 2024, 2025, and 2026, followed by two meetings in 2027. The APG27-3 is scheduled for July 2026 in Hokkaido, Japan, with the timing carefully coordinated to avoid overlap with major APT and ITU events. The meeting will be hosted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan. Additionally, the Republic of Korea has expressed its intention to host APG27-5, the final preparatory meeting of the APT for WRC-27, during July/August 2027 timeframe.

 

Click here for more details and photo gallery

 

 

The 18th APT Policy and Regulation Forum for Pacific (PRFP-18)

5 - 6 August 2025, Suva, Fiji 

 

The Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) organized the 18th APT Policy and Regulation Forum for Pacific (PRFP-18) from 5 to 6 August 2025 in Suva, Fiji, in conjunction with the 2nd Pacific ICT Ministerial Dialogue. The forum was hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications of Fiji and attended by 99 delegates, including registered experts from 14 Member countries, 13 Affiliate Members, and 4 international organizations.

 

 

Since 2009, PRFP has served as a platform for Pacific members, providing an opportunity to address ICT policy and regulatory topics of common interest and concern in the region. This year, PRFP-18 featured various thematic sessions, including ‘Navigating 5G Deployment in the Pacific: Challenges, Strategies, and Opportunities’, ‘Building a Sustainable Connectivity Model for the Pacific’, and ‘Resiliency in Submarine Cable Connectivity in the Pacific’. Additionally, the forum included a “Satellite Workshop” in collaboration with the Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA), offering policy and regulatory stakeholders’ valuable insights into global trends, regulatory frameworks, and practical approaches.

 

The forum provided updates on the latest developments and challenges in digital infrastructure and shared best practices in satellite services. It also showcased information on cutting-edge satellite technologies and focused on strategies to promote digital inclusion through capacity building and skills development for all citizens.

 

PRFP-18 was followed by the Senior Officials’ Meeting on 7 August 2025 and the 2nd Pacific ICT Ministerial Dialogue on 8 August 2025. Building on this momentum, the sessions of PRFP-18 focused on key priorities to advance the implementation of the ‘Lagatoi Declaration’ adopted at the 1st Pacific ICT Ministerial Dialogue (28–29 August 2023, Papua New Guinea), together with its Action Plan. APT reaffirms its commitment to working in close collaboration with Pacific members. Through initiatives such as PRFP, APT seeks to amplify all voices, foster cooperation, and ensure that inclusive and sustainable growth is achieved across the region.  

 

Click here for more details and photo gallery

 

 

The Meeting of the SATRC Working Group on Spectrum

12 - 14 August 2025, Maafushi Island, Maldives 

 

The Meeting of the SATRC Working Group on Spectrum was held from 12 to 14 August 2025 in Maafushi Island, Maldives, hosted by the Communications Authority of Maldives. Mr. Ilyas Ahmed, Chief Executive of Communications Authority of Maldives, delivered the welcome remarks, followed by an inaugural address from H.E. Mohamed Kinaanath, Honorable Minister of State for Homeland Security and Technology, Maldives. The meeting brought together 41 delegates from SATRC Members and Affiliate Members, with 33 attending in person from 8 SATRC Member countries.

 

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As part of the implementation of SATRC Action Plan Phase IX, the meeting considered the draft reports on 6 assigned work items. These reports were discussed in detail, and a number of modifications were proposed. The revised reports will be submitted to SATRC-26 as part of the outcomes of Action Plan Phase IX. The work items are:

 

•  Spectrum approaches and regulatory requirements for NGSO satellite constellations for space-based communication services

•  Current practices of licensing and spectrum assignment in land mobile radio systems particularly in VHF and UHF person-to-person voice communication system in SATRC countries

•  Spectrum approaches and regulatory requirements to enable Satellite-IMT integration

•  A) Spectrum outlook in SATRC countries, B) Registration of frequency assignments in MIFR by SATRC countries

•  Backhaul infrastructure readiness and requirements for 5G deployment in SATRC countries

•  Efficient valuation and pricing of spectrum in SATRC countries

 

The meeting also considered 6 proposals submitted by SATRC Members for new work items under SATRC Action Plan Phase X. After discussion, the meeting agreed to propose 5 of these proposals as new work items for consideration at SATRC-26. 

 

SATRC-26 will be held from 5 to 7 November 2025 in Islamabad, Pakistan.

 

Click here for more details

 

 

APT Web Dialogue on WSIS+20 Review Process (No.2)

26 August 2025, Virtual/Online  

 

The Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) organized the second Web Dialogue on “WSIS+20 Review Process” on 26 August 2025. The Dialogue was attended by 83 participants from APT members. It followed the first discussion in April 2025, which reviewed the 20-year progress of WSIS Action Lines and explored the way forward for the global digital society, emphasizing multistakeholder collaboration, digital inclusion, safety and regional cooperation, while providing participants with practical insights to support Asia-Pacific preparations for the global WSIS+20 progress.

 

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The second APT Web Dialogue was honoured by the participation of H.E. Mr. Ekitela Lokaale (Kenya) and H.E. Ms. Suela Janina (Albania), Permanent Representatives to the United Nations, who shared valuable perspectives on the WSIS+20 process. The session, facilitated by Mr. William Lee from the Australian Government, also brought together a distinguished panel of experts, including Mr. Adrian Wan (Internet Society), Ms. Mina Seonmin Jun (KISDI), Ms. Angela Wibawa (ICANN), Ms. Jennifer Chung and Ms. Theresa Swinehart (IMSB), and Mr. Yukio Teramura (MIC Japan), all of whom contributed their insights and hands-on experiences directly related to the WSIS+20 progress.

 

This Dialogue underscored the importance of ensuring that governments work closely with diverse stakeholders to reflect multiple needs and perspectives in the WSIS framework and Action Lines. The panel of speakers highlighted the Asia-Pacific region’s unique diversity and the ongoing challenges of digital inclusion, meaningful connectivity, capacity building, and digital safety. It also emphasized that the forthcoming elements paper should consolidate diverse regional perspectives, address emerging technologies, and avoid duplication of existing frameworks to enhance the practicality and effectiveness of WSIS Action Lines. Insights from the IMSB also stressed the importance of reflecting regional voices in shaping the vision of the digital future.

 

The discussion laid important groundworks for the upcoming UNGA High-Level Meeting on the Overall Review of the Implementation of the WSIS Outcomes, scheduled for 16–17 December 2025 in New York. Through interactive moderation, participants were able to explore challenges and opportunities in depth. The Dialogue concluded that achieving an inclusive, sustainable, and transformative information society requires strong collaboration across sectors, with governments playing a central facilitating role in advancing the WSIS+20 process.

 

Click here for the full recording of the event

 

Upcoming Events

 

The 35th Meeting of the APT Wireless Group (AWG-35)

8 - 12 September 2025, Bangkok, Thailand, Hybrid Meeting  

 

The APT will organize the 35th Meeting of the APT Wireless Group (AWG-35) from 8 to 12 September 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand in hybrid mode (both physical and online participation through Zoom).

 

AWG covers various aspects of wireless systems to meet the emerging digital convergence era in the Asia-Pacific region. It also assists in providing effective radiocommunication solutions and facilitating the transfer of technology and knowledge. In its 35th meeting, the AWG will continue to study the existing work items, report on the progress of studies and discuss the proposal of new work items as well as other relevant issues.

 

 

 

 

 

The 5th Meeting of the APT Preparatory Group for WTDC-25

(APT WTDC25-5)

15 - 19 September 2025, Bangkok, Thailand, Hybrid Meeting  

 

The APT will organize the 5th Meeting of the APT Preparatory Group for WTDC-25 (APT WTDC25-5) from 15 to 19 September 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand with physical attendance and remote participation using an online platform (i.e hybrid meeting).

 

APT WTDC25-5 will continue the discussion on issues of interest to the region for the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 (WTDC-25), scheduled to be held from 17 to 28 November 2025 in Baku, Azerbaijan, and develop Preliminary APT Common Proposals for WTDC-25. APT WTDC25-5 is expected to:

 

• consider input contributions from APT members;

• review outcomes of the views of other regional organisations;

• review outcomes of TDAG and ITU Council 2025;

• develop Preliminary APT Common Proposals for WTDC-25

• develop arrangements for APT Coordination Meetings during WTDC-25

 

 

 

 

The Meeting of the SATRC Working Group on Policy, Regulation and Services

23 - 25 September 2025, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Hybrid Meeting  

 

The APT will organize the Meeting of the SATRC Working Group on Policy, Regulation and Services from 23-25 September in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The meeting will be hosted by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) as physical meeting with remote participation.

 

This meeting is a part of the activities of SATRC Action Plan Phase IX which was adopted by the 24th Meeting of the SATRC (SATRC-24) held in October 2023 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The objective of the meeting is to conduct the activities of the Working Group on Policy, Regulation and Services on the work items assigned by the Council. This meeting will be the final meeting of the Working Group on Policy, Regulation and Services under SATRC Action Plan Phase IX and is expected to discuss the draft outcomes of the work items assigned to the Working Group. Further, the meeting will consider the proposals on new work items for SATRC Action Plan Phase X. 

 

 

 

 

The 25th APT Policy and Regulatory Forum (PRF-25)

30 September - 2 October 2025, Bangkok, Thailand, Hybrid Meeting  

 

The APT will organize the 25th APT Policy and Regulatory Forum (PRF-25) from 30 September to 2 October 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand with physical attendance as well as online participation through Zoom (i.e. hybrid meeting).

 

PRF-25 will focus its work in line with the Strategic Pillars of the Strategic Plan of the APT which serves as the guideline for APT’s activities for 2024-2026. It will also reaffirm commitments outlined in the Tokyo Statement which was adopted at the APT Ministerial Meeting held in May 2025.

 

This PRF-25 will consist of special features as follows:

1) High-Level Dialogue: A session among Ministers, Vice Ministers and high-level officials to share strategies, insights, experiences, policies being implemented in their countries with regard to harness emerging technologies for digital transformation.

2) Regulators’ Roundtable: A roundtable among the Heads of the Regulators to share their experiences and practices on regulatory issues and identify the challenges, opportunities and possible way forward regarding universal, resilient and seamless connectivity.

3) Business Dialogue: A session to provide platform for industry representatives to express their views on embracing disruptive technologies.

 

Throughout the forum, a wide range of topics will be explored, including Satellite Licensing, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Quality of Service, Community-Centered Communications, and other critical subjects impacting the digital ecosystem.

 

 

 

 

The 22nd APT Telecommunication/ICT Development Forum (ADF-22)

14 - 16 October 2025, Bangkok, Thailand, Hybrid Meeting  

 

The APT will organize the 22nd APT Telecommunication/ICT Development Forum (ADF-22) from 14 to 16 October 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand with physical attendance as well as online participation through Zoom (i.e. hybrid meeting).

 

APT Telecommunication/ICT Development Forum (ADF) serves as a platform for regional dialogues on telecommunication and ICT developments, facilitating the exchange of good practices, encouraging regional cooperation, and promoting capacity building in telecommunications and ICTs. This ADF-22 will consist of the following contents:

 

  • Thematic Sessions: ADF-22 will highlight important themes aligned with the APT Strategic Plan 2024-2026 and reflect the vision outlined in the Ministerial Statement 2025, also known as the “Tokyo Statement,” with a focus on digital connectivity, digital transformation, trust and safety, digital inclusion, and sustainability.

 

  • Sessions for EBCs: A platform to share the status, progress, outcomes, and achievements of the ICT Pilot Projects implemented by APT Members based on the Extra-Budgetary Contributions (EBCs) from People’s Republic of China, Japan, and Republic of Korea.

 

 

 

 

 

The 13th Meeting of the Working Group of Management Committee on APT Legal Instruments (WGMC-13)

28 - 29 October 2025, Virtual/Online Meeting  

 

The APT will organize the 13th Meeting of the Working Group of Management Committee on APT Legal Instruments (WGMC-13) from 28 to 29 October 2025 as a virtual/online meeting. WGMC-13 will review and discuss the task assigned by MC-48, i.e., Assessment on Potential Mode of APT Meetings, APT Yearbook Fund, and others.

 

 

 

 

 

The 26th Meeting of the South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC-26)

5 - 7 November 2025, Islamabad, Pakistan, Hybrid Meeting  

 

The APT will organize the 26th Meeting of the South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC-26) in Islamabad, Pakistan from 5 to 7 November 2025. The meeting will be hosted by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). SATRC-26 will be held with physical attendance as well as virtual/online participation through Zoom meeting platform (i.e., hybrid meeting).

 

The SATRC meeting is held annually to discuss and coordinate regulatory and other related issues in the area of telecommunication and ICT that are common for the regulators of SATRC Members. The meeting will be attended by the heads of telecommunication regulatory bodies of SATRC Member countries and designated senior level officers.

 

SATRC-26 will discuss the key policy and regulatory issues in the SATRC countries, approve the outcomes of SATRC Action Plan Phase IX and adopt SATRC Action Plan Phase X. SATRC-26 will include special sessions for Regulators’ Roundtable, Industry-Regulator Dialogue and Sharing Regulatory Experiences Sessions to facilitate the development of the telecom/ICT sector in South-Asia. The Regulators’ Roundtable will be held exclusively for the heads of regulators to discuss and share thoughts on important regulatory issues that need regional collaboration specifically for the SATRC Member countries and generally to the Asia-Pacific region.

 

 

 

 

 

Other Upcoming Events in 2025

Title

Date

Venue

1.     Seminar on Progress in APT for the year 2025

8 Dec

Bangkok,

Thailand

2.     The 49th Session of the Management Committee of

the APT (MC-49)

9-12 Dec

Bangkok,

Thailand

 

 

 

        Quick Links to APT Work Programmes and Activities

 

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