From May 14^th to 16^th, the 74^th UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) session was held in Bangkok, Thailand. The conference participants had general debates on the theme “Inequality in the Era of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” and discussed such topics as multilateralism and frontier technology. CAICT President Liu Duo was invited to attend the conference and delivered a keynote speech at the high-level dialogue “Frontier Technological Innovation: Policies to Accelerate the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals”. Liu Duo mentioned in the speech that the ICT is the core force that drives a new round of technological and industrial revolution around the world. The new-generation ICTs represented by mobile Internet, cloud computing, big data, IoT and AI are playing an increasingly important role in driving the growth of real economy, improving labor productivity and cultivating new growth poles. They are a significant force that facilitates high-quality economic development and helps the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs). The Chinese economy has shifted from high-speed growth to high-quality development. The role of ICTs in leading economic and social development is increasingly noticeable. Liu Duo introduced China’s positive progress in broadband network building, ICT innovation and integrated Internet application as well as its development status in 5G and industrial Internet. In order to give full play to the role of ICT innovation to promote economic and social sustainable development, Liu Duo proposed suggestions in four aspects. First, strive for innovative development and speed up ICT evolution and upgrading. Focus should be put on intensifying the innovation of key generic technologies including 5G, AI and industrial Internet and improving the technology supply capability on key links during the digitalization transformation. Second, strive for coordinated development and try to narrow down the digital gap. It’s necessary to perfect the long-term service mechanism, expand coverage of broadband network, drive popularization of broadband network applications, improve digital skills and facilitate the barrier-free development of information, so as to share the Internet development achievements with the public throughout the country. Third, strive for integrated development and build a new ecosystem for digital economy. Efforts should be made to take full advantage of ICTs to improve the management efficiency, production efficiency and product performance of traditional industries, optimize the resource allocation and level of public services and improve the adaptability of the supply structure to the upgraded needs. Fourth, strive for open development and promote the development achievements to be shared among the Asia Pacific region. It’s important to continue to promote the interconnection of information infrastructure in countries along the “Belt and Road”, strengthen sharing of and cooperation on innovative resources and achieve common prosperity and development of the Asia-Pacific.

During the conference, Liu Duo exchanged opinions with ESCAP Executive Secretary and related officials on cooperation on Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway (AP-IS). She also visited Huawei Regional Headquarter in Southeast Asia for survey on the telecommunications market in the region and the business development status of Huawei.