UN passes resolution on TASIM project
The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution on 'Expanding internet access by creating Trans-Eurasian Information Super Highway' (TASIM) upon Azerbaijan's initiative, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said on Monday, according to Trend news agency.
The document was adopted unanimously on December 21.
The resolution, put forward by Azerbaijan to support the project, provides for elimination of "digital inequality" in the Eurasian region and strengthening the partnership between private and public sectors.
The resolution takes into account Azerbaijan's proposal to establish Eurasian telecommunications alliance to improve the relations of the state, private sector and civil society with international development institutions, with the main purpose of contributing to the development of telecommunications transmission in the regions.
As a result of the work carried out in this direction, the TASIM project was supported by different regions, and a number of member states joined the project as co-authors, including the United States, Australia, Belarus, China, Afghanistan, Georgia, India, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Russia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Turkey, Ukraine, Japan, New Zealand and other countries.
The TASIM project includes such countries as Russia (Rostelecom operator), Kazakhstan (KazTransCom operator), Turkey (TurkTelecom operator), China (ChinaTelecom operator), as well as Azerbaijani Azertelekom.
The network of operators involved in the project has been sufficiently developed. At present work is planned to be carried out on the areas where a cable has to be laid. The Caspian segment is one such.
Launching the construction operations of underwater fibre-optic cable is scheduled for mid-2013.
Azerbaijan's resolution to create a Trans-Eurasia Information Superhighway TASIM was adopted during the 66th plenary meeting of the United Nations.
The UN expressed support for the project which aims to reduce poverty and accelerate economic growth. It will play a role as an engine for the development of the region. The TASIM project aims to connect a total of 20 countries. Its implementation will eliminate the information gap between the countries of Western Europe and the Pacific Rim.