NIDA Hosts APIRA
Conference
Seven member countries discuss forging cooperation on Internet data service

The National Internet Development Agency of Korea(President Song Kwan-ho) has held from Aug.25-26 the 2nd International Conference on Expanding Application of Internet Statistics: comparable measurement, diverse analysis and regional cooperation at the COEX conference room in southern Seoul.
Attending the meeting included investigative organizations for the current status of informatization process of member countries of the Asia-Pacific Internet Research Alliances(APIRA) and domestic Internet data experts to exchange information on the informatization status in the Asia-Pacific region and the diversified analysis method for Internet data.
Key agendas for the international event included the presentation of IT839 strategy and Korea's IT Vision for the next 10 years, APIRA member countries' results of Internet data investigation, the status of the frequency of the use of cell phones through wireless Internet and the current status of e-business, among others. Also dealt was the method to upgrade the quality of Internet data to be used as basic material for setting up policies related to information for APIRA member countries. The meeting also searched for ways for member countries to hike their cooperation in developing Internet data connected with data indicators of information and communication of international organizations.
APIRA was set up in 2003 as an international cooperative council with Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan, Macao, and Hong Kong as members. The organization has been focusing on getting cooperation from member countries for international understanding and reflection of their positions in the international society through the exchange of information on Internet data in the Asia-Pacific region.
NIDA President Song Kwan-ho said,?t is very significant that APIRA conference, its second one, was held in Seoul because Korea as able to hike its international position in the areas of not only the information technology, but also informatization measurement and policy development.
The 2nd Asia-Pacific Internet Data Council International Conference had its first meeting in Hong Kong and Macao. The Seoul meeting took place under the sponsorship of the Information and Communication Ministry and the NIDA. A total of 40 delegates from seven member countries participated in the meeting.
A total of 26 subjects on the current status of the use of Internet data by APIRA member countries were presented at the conference. The gathering also dealt with the discussion of finding cooperative ways for development of Internet data by APIRA member countries related to international organizations information communication major data indicators.
On August 25 meeting, participants heard keynote speech, country reports and theme papers. Kang Seongju of the Ministry of Information and Communication delivered his keynote speech entitled,"IT Vision for Next Decade for Korea," which was followed by the opening speech made by Wang Enhai, Secretary-General of APIRA and welcome addresses by Lee Cha-shik, director-general of the MIC, Song Kwan-ho, president of NIDA, Cho Young-hwa, president of KSII and Esperanza C. Magpantay of ITU.
Following the lunch break, Eric Haosheng CNNIC, China, spoke on Internet Development and Usage in Chinese Mainland; Te-chin Liang of Fu Jen University in Taiwan made a speech on Internet Usage in Taiwan; and Yang Hyo-jin, NIDA, spoke about Computer and Internet Usage in Korea.
APIRA? objectives are to help member countries to cooperate together in research on investigation on Internet data in the Asia-Pacific region and reflect the positions of member countries on international Internet data indicators and the exchange of information.
Wang Enhai of CNNIC, China, is the secretary-general with a two-year term with five directors including Cho Chan-hyung of Korea, ZhangHaosheng of CNNIC and Jonathan J.H. Zhu of Hong Kong University, among others. nw

Song Kwan-ho, president of the National Internet Development Agency