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p. 2 of 23 BACK | NEXT Executive Summary I. Introduction II. The Information Revolution III. Need for an ADB Strategic Approach for ICT IV. Strategic Thrusts V. Proposed Action Plan VI. Implications for ADB

Toward E-Development in Asia and the Pacific: A Strategic Approach for Information and Communication Technology

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I. Introduction

1. One of the most persistent criticisms of open markets and free trade is that they increase the gap between developed and developing countries. The rapid emergence of the Internet economy is giving this argument new impetus. Many fear that the Internet will worsen the gap between rich and poor countries. The inequality debate has taken a new turn with an increasing focus on the digital divide, the gap between “information rich” and “information poor” countries.

2. Information and communication technology (ICT) is widely recognized as a potentially powerful tool in the fight against world poverty, with the capacity to provide developing countries with an unprecedented opportunity to meet vital development goals such as poverty reduction, basic health care, and education, far more effectively than before. Countries that succeed in harnessing the potential of ICT can look forward to greatly accelerating economic growth, dramatically improving human welfare, and fostering good governance practices.

3. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) recognizes that ICT is a powerful force in shaping the social and economic development of the Asia and Pacific region. ADB must help its developing member countries (DMCs) benefit from the new opportunities created by ICT and is committed to helping bridge the growing digital divide and reap digital dividends within and across its DMCs, in line with the G8’s¹ Okinawa Charter on Global Information Society². DMCs should use gains from ICT to accelerate social and economic development, improve governance, and generally support the fight against poverty. This paper explores how ICT can be harnessed to support ADB’s poverty reduction strategy.

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