Minister Dempsey Attends ASEM ICT Ministerial Meeting in Hanoi - Vietnam

Mr Noel Dempsey TD, Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources today joined other EU and Asian Ministers at the opening of the ASEM ICT Ministerial Meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The ASEM ICT Ministerial Meeting was convened in light of the decision of EU and Asian countries during the 5th ASEM Summit in 2004 to promote the application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in human resource development and capacity building.

Speaking today Minister Dempsey said "In recent years ICT has played an increasingly important role in the development of social and economic cooperation between Asia and Europe. The different levels of ICT development in ASEM member countries presents an opportunity for joint meetings such as this to help bridge the digital divide. Given Ireland's track record in the area of ICT development we have a lot to offer other countries in terms of expertise and best practice. Ireland can also learn from the experiences of other ASEM members who have rolled out effective ICT strategies in recent years."

The keynote speech at the Ministerial meeting was delivered by Ms Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Information Society and Medial. Mr Terry McParland from Enterprise Ireland spoke at the meeting about Enterprise Ireland's activities to support Irish Industry in the area of ICT.

The two day Ministerial meeting includes dialogue between Governments and the ASEM ICT business community as well as sessions for ICT Ministers to discuss issues surrounding policy and regulatory cooperation, enhanced ICT capacity and the promotion of cooperation in the area of ICT R&D.

At the meeting Ministers recognised the importance of using ICT in advancing skills, and knowledge, empowering local communities, enhancing enterprise capabilities and fostering collaboration among international ICT R&D communities.

Ends

Note for Editors

ASEM is a forum that promotes various levels of cooperation among Asian and European countries. It was initiated in 1996. Since then meetings of Heads of State or Government occur every two years alternately in Asia and Europe. The ASEM process is based on dialogue with the objective of strengthening mutual understanding between the two regions and promoting concrete cooperation with the aim of sustainable economic and social development.

ASEM participants are Austria, Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, European Commission, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Laos, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Myanmar, the Netherlands, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United Kingdom and Vietnam.