01 December 2016 – Secretary Rodolfo A. Salalima of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) attended the 16th ASEAN Telecommunications & Information Technology Ministers’ Meeting (TELMIN), 17th ASEAN Telecommunications & Information Technology Senior Officials Meeting (TELSOM), and Related Meetings held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Bandar Seri Begawan from November 25 to 26.
With the theme “Connected Innovative Community,” the 16th ASEAN TELMIN served as an important platform to further strengthen the existing collaboration among ASEAN Member-States (AMS) and Dialogue Partners in maximizing the potential of ICT towards progressive development of the region.This year’s meeting has been significant as discussions were undertaken in charting the direction of the ASEAN ICT Masterplan 2020 (AIM2020).
Members of the Philippine delegation who accompanied Secretary Salalima during the 16th ASEAN TELMIN meetings included: Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Meynardo LB. Montealegre; DICT Undersecretary Jorge V. Sarmiento (TELSOM Leader); DICT Director Maria Teresa Magno–Garcia; DICT Director Nestor S. Bongato; Second Secretary and Consul Melvin C. Almonguera; and Economic Assistant and Attaché Frederick A. Rili.
Among the agenda items discussed during the 16th ASEAN TELMIN Meeting and Related Meetings included: driving the progress of the AIM2020 initiatives to enhance connectivity and innovation in ASEAN; strengthening ASEAN’s cybersecurity with the ASEAN Cybersecurity Cooperation Strategy; enhancing connectivity between ASEAN Member-States (AMS) to support regional integration and trade; endorsing the 2017 Work Plan which contains projects and initiatives on priority Strategic Thrusts of the AIM2020 for 2017; and working closely with ASEAN Dialogue Partners, International Telecommunications Union (ITU), international organizations, and other stakeholders in the implementation of innovative ICT programs in support of the AIM2020.
Following the TELMIN Meetings, Secretary Salalima, along with other TELMIN Leaders, were received in audience by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, in an audience ceremony held at the Istana Nurul Iman. The DICT Secretary also held a bilateral meeting with Honorable Jiro Akama, State Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan, at the ICC.
Secretary Salalima and members of the Philippine delegation likewise attended the TELMIN Gala Dinner and 5th ASEAN ICT Awards 2016, and the TELMIN Press Conference, leading to the conclusion of the 16th ASEAN TELMIN.
Prior to the departure of the Philippine delegation, Ambassador Montealegre hosted a dinner in honor of Secretary Salalima and other DICT officials at his official residence.
The 16th ASEAN TELMIN concluded with the adoption of the Brunei Darussalam Declaration of 26 November 2016 and the issuance of a Joint Media Statement. END
