In relation to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), the greatest concern now is not how countries will be able to adapt to new emerging technologies but how wide the rural-urban digital divide would be in the next decade within and among countries. The fear is based on the growing rural-urban disparity in terms of inadequate policy support; comparatively lower access, lack of affordability and absence and relevance of practical content. As infrastructures are built, applications are developed and new services are introduced, the urban population seems to be benefiting more than their rural colleagues. Rural masses are getting sidelined because of their mere geographic locations, lower literacy and lack of knowledge and awareness. This rift is going to hurt and cost countries dearly if appropriate measures are not taken at the earliest possible moment.

Policies on information and communication technologies are not standalone. They have to take into account other policy areas where ICT plays an important and complimentary role, such as in telecom, education, health, trade and investment, agriculture, and environment, as well as culture and tradition. ICT Policies should develop over time and appropriate e-strategies and action plans complement such developments. They are also best addressed by a set of e-strategies that are conducive to developed policies that are achievable, and above all practical.

A comprehensive e-strategy must therefore consist of a holistic framework that identifies actions, priorities, and implementation, resources and capacities on a cross-sectoral basis. Perhaps one of the biggest challenges of ICT policies and e-strategies has been or will be to mould the various sector policies into one single national agenda, whereby each and every sector plays its role in its own right.

Besides these cross-sectoral issues, there is also a set of important parameters that address e-Strategies. The final report of the Digital Opportunity Initiative summarizes these. They are:

• Infrastructure
• Human capacity
• Policy
• Enterprise
• Content and Applications

ICT Policies and e-Strategies are closely related. e-Strategies have to adjust to evolving socio-economic conditions and changes while policies may remain constant for a considerable period of time. The nature of technological evolution and the extent to which technologies can be or are being used in countries, are very important in influencing ICT policies and e-Strategies.

Because of the tremendous resources required, a holistic approach will result in cost-effective and efficient methods of implementing ICT activities. Sharing of knowledge and experience will help countries to learn from each other. The need for a regional approach to ICT policies and e-strategies is based on the common geography of countries within a region. In this process, a platform where policy-makers can sit down and discuss together would not only be enlightening but progressive for the region

With the above in mind, UNDP-APDIP (http://www.apdip.net), in collaboration with the UN ICT Task Force http://www.unicttaskforce.org/ and with the support of the Ministry of Energy, Communications and Multimedia (Malaysia) (http://www.ktkm.gov.my) is organizing an Asian Forum on ICT Policies and Strategies to provide Asian countries an opportunity to share information on what works and what does not work, and to benefit from each others knowledge and experiences.

The Forum is co-sponsored by the Government of Japan through its generous contribution to the UNDP's Information Communication Technology for Development Thematic Trust Fund.