November 28, 2007

Results of APT Secretary General Election

Mr. YAMADA Toshiyuki elected
During the 31st Session of the Management Committee of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT), which started on November 27, 2007, in Seoul, Republic of Korea, election of the Secretary General took place on November 28, and Japan's candidate, Mr. YAMADA Toshiyuki, who currently serves as the APT Deputy Secretary General, was unanimously elected.

1. Outline of the 31st Session of the APT Management Committee
The session is taking place from November 27 to 30, 2007, in Seoul, Republic of Korea. From among 34 APT member countries, 28 countries participated in the session. Delegates from Japan, six MIC officials, including Director-General YAMAKAWA of the International Affairs Department of the Telecommunications Bureau, and two officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended the session.

2. Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General election results
Mr. Yamada, the former MIC official from Japan running for Secretary General, was unanimously elected. He became the second Japanese Secretary General, following Mr. SONOKI Hiroyasu, who served in the role from 1993 to 1996.
Mr.Yamada is well-versed in the APT organization and operation through his experience at APT, which includes his current position of Deputy Secretary General and past role as Chairman of the APT Management Committee.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kraisorn Pornsutee, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology of Thailand was elected Deputy Secretary General.
Mr. Yamada and Mr. Pornsutee will assume their new positions in February 2008.
Due to the recent amendment of the APT Constitution, the newly elected Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General will tentatively serve in the roles for one year, and another election will be held for the two posts at the General Assembly to be held next fall. (If elected at this assembly, they are to serve for three years.)

3. Significance of Mr. Yamada's winning the election
In view of balanced development of telecommunications in the Asia Pacific region, APT has coordinated regional policies in the telecommunications field, particularly in regard to human resources development, standardization and radio communications. Japan has provided diverse support to APT, including special contributions. If Mr. Yamada leads APT as Secretary General to enhance coordination of policies in the Asia Pacific region, views of countries in the region, including Japan, will be increasingly reflected in occasions to coordinate the global standard and radio use.

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