Experts from South and Southwest Asia have gathered in Kathmandu to participate in the three-day follow up conference to the first phase and preparation for second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).

The main objectives of the conference is to discuses Internet governance, preparation of a regional action plan towards an information society in Asia and the Pacific and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for knowledge-based disaster management.

Addressing the inaugural session Tuesday morning, Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers Dr Tulsi Giri suggested the conference focus its discussion on the use of ICT for disaster management as well as conflict and terrorism management .

Highlighting the important role of the media to establish the information-based society in this region, he added, “Despite the difficult situation, the Nepal government has not reduced its resources to establish the infrastructure for ITC development in the country.”

Director of the Information, Communications and Space Technology Division of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Dr Xuan Zengpei gave the example of the affect of the recent tsunami disaster in this region and highlighted the role of ICT for disaster prevention.

Minister of Information of Communications Tanka Dhakal, Vice Chairman of High Level Commission for Information Technology Sharad Chandra Shah and President of the Computer Association of Nepal Biplav Man Singh also expressed their views on the role of ICT in the 21st century.