Over the past decade, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has evolved rapidly in many aspects. However, to develop further and move towards a broader consideration of open standards and open architectures that facilitate interoperability and enhance system value. An open environment is believed to enable increased competition, access, and control, which will enhance national economic growth and development in the long run.

In this regard, the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), a semi-government agency specialized in ICT Research and Development under the National Science and Technology Development Agency, Ministry of Science and Technology, Thailand, established a Committee on Open Standards. The Committee is tasked with the objective to promote awareness and use of open standards to achieve an Open ICT Ecosystem, where efficiency, innovation, transparency, and growth, can be realized, especially in the development and implementation of ICT projects. To this end, the Committee would have to liaise with various public and private sectors, as well as relevant international agencies, in and outside the country, so as to achieve truly open and interoperable ICT systems.

To promote the Open ICT Ecosystem concept more widely, NECTEC, in cooperation with partners who believe in the
benefits of open standards, i.e., Software Industry Promotion Agency (SIPA), Ministry of Information and Communication Technology; IBM (Thailand); Intel (Thailand); Oracle (Thailand); Cisco (Thailand), and APDIP, will organize a “Regional Conference on Open Standards: The Key to an Open ICT Ecosystem” during May 2-4, at the Sofitel Central Plaza Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand. On the first day, APDIP will be leading a policy dialogue on open standards.

The Conference aims to achieve following objectives:

• To raise awareness and create understanding about the importance of open standards
• To exchange ideas and information on open ICT ecosystems among Thai members and our counterparts in the
  Asian Region
• To explore possible collaboration on promotion and implementation of open standards in the Asian region
• To create and strengthen a network of Thai and foreign experts for promotion of open standards

Key areas that will be addressed in the Conference are:

• Open standards for e-government and e-learning
• Open standards for information exchange
• Open standards for e-commerce
• Internet: the best practice for open standards development

Furthermore, participants will have a chance to learn about policies and practices on open standards from countries in the region as well as from international agencies. As such, the Conference provides a unique opportunity to learn from and to exchange ideas and experiences with leaders from the public, private, and academic sectors, including world/industry leaders. Participants will walk away with ideas, insights, and ways for addressing open standards challenges both at the national and agency level.

Registration

If you are interested in participating, please register online at http://open.giti.nectec.or.th/conference2006 or email open-sec@standards.nectec.or.th. There is no registration fee. However, participants must cover all their own costs, i.e. travel, accommodation, food and all other expenses.

Related Links

Official conference website

Conference Agenda

Roadmap for Open ICT Ecosystems

IOSN Joins OpenDocument Alliance

NECTEC Website