Project on Promoting the Use of ICT for Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals

INTRODUCTION

Currently, the information and communications technologies (ICTs) are undergoing a major transformation driven by innovation and intelligent applications around the world. A new generation of ICTs, such as 5G, AI, big data, are more widely integrated with the real economy. The wide use of ICTs is of vital significance to addressing major socio-economic issues, such as population growth, resource shortage, aging, environmental pollution and prevention of natural disasters. With the rapid development of digital economy, the traditional sectors such as manufacturing healthcare, agriculture and transportation will become more energy-efficient, intelligent and efficient.

People’s Republic of China (China) would like to support APT to promote the use of ICT applications in APT Members to address economic and social issues for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). In this regard, China will provide extra-budgetary contributions and cooperate with APT members to implement projects in the field of ICT for SDGs.

The project is intended to facilitate the use of ICT to assist APT members for addressing issues such as poverty, digital divide, health, education, clean energy, infrastructure development, sustainable cities and communities, etc. The project will be implemented by beneficiary countries (APT Members) in cooperation with Chinese experts. The project may be composed of, but not limited to, field investigation to beneficiary countries, study visit to China, joint research and conducting pilot projects.

EXAMPLES OF THE PROJECT

The proposed project aims to promote the sustainable development of APT member countries through the use of ICTs. The followings are some examples on using ICT for the achievement of SDGs.

* Example 1 (Improving energy supply for ICT facilities in remote areas)

Electricity is the source of energy for ICT equipment. Through the use of clean energy, carbon emissions can be further reduced, and energy costs can be saved. Priority should be given to those highly-flexible energy sources that can be applied to a variety of scenarios. As one of the most important infrastructures, ICT facilities have high requirements on energy supply. If power outage happens, it is likely to cause huge economic losses. While in some remote areas, such as islands and mountains where it is difficult to access electricity, photovoltaic power generation, as a clean and pollution-free power generation method that converts solar energy into electricity, has been more widely used and become an integral part of energy supply in some countries. By adding more photovoltaic power generation and energy storage equipment, the operational security of ICT facilities can be greatly enhanced, the risks of power outages reduced, operating cost saved and efficiency improved.

* Example 2 (Reducing peak demand with ICT facilities)

In some power-intensive areas, in order to achieve a balance in power consumption, a time-of-day pricing policy may be implemented to encourage the enterprises to use electricity during off-peak hours when the prices are low. ICT facilities applying such a pricing policy can consider having equipment that can cut peak power consumption and batteries with a long cycle life to "unload" electricity from the on-peak hours to the off-peak hours. Electrical energy can be converted into chemical energy during off-peak hours for storage; then the chemical energy will be converted to electrical energy during on-peak hours to power communication equipment, therefore achieving the goal of saving electricity costs and ensuring power supply.

* Example 3 (Smart integrated ICT-enabled light poles)

Smart light poles refer to the street light poles that integrate traffic signs, road name plates, and directional signs along the street to reduce cost and increase efficiency. It will contribute to the rational and orderly use of urban space and the beauty of road environment. Smart light poles can perform such functions as intelligent lighting, information release, wireless network, video surveillance, emergency calls, environmental monitoring sensors, and charging poles and become an integral part in the development of smart cities and communities.

* Example 4 (ICTs for the development of agriculture and animal husbandry)

For example, an intelligent breeding solution for pig farms can be introduced, with the use of AI-based pig face recognition technology and inspection robots to monitor pigs' feeding, cough, asthma and other physical anomalies. It can also ensure that each pig obtains sufficient nutrients to avoid fighting among pigs in traditional farms. This solution can help farmers reduce labor costs by more than 30%, save feeds by 8-10%, and shorten the time to market by 5-8 days. The use of industrial Internet technologies allows traditional industries to realize digital upgrade and achieve sustainable development in a cost-effective and efficient manner.

MAIN FEATURES OF THE PROJECT

• The maximum amount of the APT support available for one project is USD 100,000. (This limit does not exclude a project with a budget above that limit as long as there are other secured financial resources to finance it.)
• The project requires at least one Chinese expert to participate. Organizations and institutions involved in the project should be well coordinated with each other in advance.
• The project shall be completed within 24 months from the date of the notification of the selection results by the APT Secretariat.

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SCHEME OF THE PROGRAMME AND RELEVANT FORMS FOR 2020 EBC-C PROJECTS (APT Forms)

Invitation for Proposal for EBC-C Project 2020 (Deadline extended to 15 September 2020)
Attachment-1 Project Plan for the Year 2020
Attachment-2 Application Form (2020)
Attachment-3 Accounting Form and Budget Plan (2020)
Strategic Plan of the APT for 2024-2026

CONTACT

APT Secretariat
12/49, Soi 5, Chaengwattana Road, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
Tel: 662-573-0044
Fax: 662-573-7479
Email: [email protected]