APEC – Economic cooperation will bring growth and prosperity


APEC, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, is a forum consisting of 21 member economies along the Pacific Rim, with the main focus on fostering “growth and prosperity by facilitating economic cooperation and expanding trade and investment throughout the region.” Today, APEC’s member economies account for 55 percent of global GDP, 2.7 billion consumers and 43 percent of world trade.


The 9th APEC Telecommunications & Information Ministerial Meeting, held in August 2012, was hosted by Russia in St Petersburg. The meeting resulted in the adoption of the St Petersburg Declaration: Building Confidence and Security in the Use of ICT to Promote Economic Growth and Prosperity.


Although the Declaration is non-binding, it does set forth the key objectives and goals of the 21 member economies:


• Develop information and communications technologies (ICT) to promote new growth.


• Enhance socio-economic activities through the use of ICT.


• Promote a safe and trusted ICT environment. • Promote regional economic integration. • Strengthen cooperation in the ICT sector.


It was also important for the Ministers to explicitly recognize the role ICT plays in the global economy and that it is in every economy’s interest to encourage investment and innovation in the ICT space. ICT is transforming not only how people socialize and purchase goods — but how businesses operate, and how government, education and healthcare services are delivered.


The ICT industry is innovating and evolving rapidly to meet consumer needs today and anticipate their needs tomorrow. Consumers have embraced the Internet in virtually every aspect of their lives, and demand to be connected will only continue to grow. At AT&T, we continue to invest to improve and expand our services in response to the increasing consumer demand. AT&T has invested more than $115 billion (or $2 million per hour) into our operations and into acquiring spectrum and other assets that have enhanced our wireless and wired networks over the last 5 years (2007-2011).


This Declaration demonstrates the power of finding consensus, and working together across borders to agree on goals to advance our societies and economies. It was a productive meeting, with a resulting declaration that will move the ball forward as we implement new policies for 21st century networks and services.


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