At the ASEAN TELMIN 2015, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between ASEAN member countries and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on ICT in 2016 to 2018. - VNA/VNS Photo Tran Le Lam

The event, entitled: "Towards a Digitally-enabled, Inclusive, Secure and Sustainable ASEAN Community", has drawn the participation of over 300 deputies including Ministers of Telecommunications and IT from ASEAN countries, the Secretary General of ASEAN, and partner countries from China, South Korea, Japan, India, the EU, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Viet Nam.

The meeting will discuss programmes and co-operation activities to boost information technology infrastructure and narrow the digital gap and improve the ability to apply IT among ASEAN countries.

"In realising the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, I firmly believe that the success of the 15th ASEAN Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministers Meeting will practically contribute to tightening the connection and effective co-operation of the region, and forming a unified, multiple-identity and sustainably developed ASEAN Community," Phuc said.

"The 15th ASEAN TELMIN has a special meaning when it's organised shortly after the Declaration by ASEAN Leaders on the establishment of the ASEAN Community and the adoption of ASEAN Community Vision 2025 at the 27th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia," he said.

"ASEAN has always attached special importance to sustainable development goals in line with infrastructure and people connectivity, narrowing development gaps, citizen's rights to access to information," he added.

Phuc said Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is deeply included in socio-economic development.

He said Viet Nam has earned great achievements over past 30 years of the renewal process, and ICT had significant growth and contribution to the country's development.

The Deputy PM also highly appreciated the co-operation agenda in the ICT sector in 2010 to 2015 that helped to establish the ASEAN Community.

He said the ASEAN TELMIN 15 initiative on developing ASEAN ICT Master plan 2020 has played a strong role of the Ministers' strategic vision as well as the determination of ASEAN Member States.

Minister of Information and Communications, Nguyen Bac Son, said the event will be an opportunity to exchange views and adopt the co-operation plan with the aim to strengthen the ICT infrastructure connectivity, digital, ICT applications, and promote co-operation with dialogue partners and international organizations.

"Numerous projects and initiatives have been made under the ASEAN ICT Master Plan in five years. This year's event is held in the formation of the ASEAN Community with a hope of a new era of strong co-operation among ASEAN member states," Son said.

He said at the meeting, Ministers will jointly decide to adopt the ASEAN ICT Master Plan 2020 (AIM 2020) with an aim of transforming ASEAN digital economy for the new stage of development.

He said the AIM 2020 will include eight strategic points: Economic Integration and transformation; Integration and empowerment through ICT, innovation, ICT infrastructure development, human resources development, ICT in the single market, new media and communications, and information security and assurance.

Son said Viet Nam has developed 3G mobile networks in 63 provinces and cities with 130 mobile subscribers, a ratio of 145 subscribers per 100 inhabitants, and 47 million internet users.

He said Da Nang is the first city in Viet Nam and ASEAN that fully switched to digitalisation of television programmes.

Deputy General Director of Military Telecommunications Group, Viettel, Tao Duc Thang said the ASEAN has been one of the most dynamic developed markets of telecommunications and information technology (IT)

"It has seen quick progress of IT and telecommunications. We have developed 3G, 4G and next 5G in a short time. More innovations in IT and telecommunications have helped narrow the gap of the rich and the poor, the urban and rural area as well as creating more chances for all people to use easier and cheaper the internet and mobile phone," Thang told Viet Nam News on the sideline of the meeting.

"We have reached coverage to almost every Vietnamese mobile user from mainland to islands as well as expanding the market worldwide."

Viettel has developed its service in Cambodia, Laos, Timor Leste, Peru, Haiti, Mozambique, Tanzania, Burundi, Cameroon and Viet Nam with a total of 85 million customers, and revenue of US$10 billion.

The group has built up over 303,000 kilometres of optical cable and created 35,000 jobs.

At the ASEAN TELMIN 2015, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between ASEAN member countries and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on ICT in 2016 to 2018.

Following the MoU, the second stage after 2013 to 2015, the ASEAN and ITU committed to boost co-operation in joint initiatives of ICT security and assurance of IT network; broadband implementation; building policy of telecommunication and IT; ICT applications on natural disasters. Also yesterday, the organising committee also presented ASEAN ICT Awards.

It's the second time that Viet Nam has hosted this event since Ha Noi organised it in 2005. The event closes today with the announcement of Master Plan of ASEAN ICT 2020.