Folks: It is about a year since I last posted on the TEL ... apologies to those whose sense of deja vu is overwhelming. The APEC Telecommunications and Information Working Group (TEL) is highly productive and has a very strong private sector presence. It is very active in online & cyber security, privacy & authentication, telecommunications policy and regulation, broadband & NGI, and in promoting international co-operative projects in areas such as electronic commerce, research and education and many other areas relevant to telecommunications and the use and promotion of ICT generally in the APEC region. The TEL meets twice yearly in different APEC economies and attracts 200 to 300 delegates drawn from most of the APEC economies of whom up to half are from non-government and private organisations. Over the past several years, the New Zealand delegation to the TEL meetings has included a number of private sector members as well as officials from government agencies. Although TEL meetings are not suited to overt marketing activities, private sector delegates have found meetings useful for making contacts and networking opportunities. There is no registration fee for APEC TEL meetings, and the costs of at least some meals are met by sponsors, however delegates are expected to meet their own travel and accommodation costs. The next meeting (TEL29) will be in Hong Kong, 21-26 March 2004. Registrations are required by 21 February. Information about TEL29 may be found at http://www.apectel29.gov.hk (the website will be updated regularly) and further information and papers from previous meetings at http://www.apectel.org Please contact me if you are interested in joining the New Zealand delegation (you must be a member of an official delegation to attend) or if you would like any further information. And please pass this information on to anyone else you think might be interested. -- Frank March Telephone (+64 4) 474 2908 Senior Specialist Advisor Fax (+64 4) 474 2659 Information Technology Policy Group Mobile: (+64) 21 042 9205 Ministry of Economic Development, Wellington, New Zealand http://www.govt.nz - connecting you to New Zealand central & local government services Any opinions expressed in this message are not necessarily those of the Ministry of Economic Development. This message and any files transmitted with it are confidential and solely for the use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivery to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this message in error and that any use is strictly prohibited. Please contact the sender and delete the message and any attachment from your computer.