The Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT) was founded on the joint initiatives of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

The APT was established by an international treaty titled Constitution of the Asia Pacific Telecommunity that was concluded in Bangkok on 27 March 1976 and came into force on 25 February 1979. After the treaty came into force, APT was formally organized on 1 July 1979. The APT is an intergovernmental organization and operates in conjunction with telecom service providers, manufacturers of communications equipment, and research and development organizations active in the field of communication, information and innovation technologies.

APT serves as the organization for information and communications technology (ICT) in the region. The APT covers 38 Members, 4 Associate Members, and 143 Affiliate Members.

Throughout the past years, APT has been able to assist members in the preparation of global conferences such as ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP), World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC), World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC), World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA), and the ITU meetings. APT is also involved in promoting regional harmonization of their programmes and activities in the region.

There are currently 38 Members (countries), 4 Associate Members, and 143 Affiliate Members in the APT. Any member of the ESCAP which is within the region is eligible to be part of the APT, while to be an associate member, any territory, part or group of territories within the region which is an associate member of ESCAP is eligible. Associate members are highlighted in green. A state becomes a member of APT by ratifying the founding treaty, the Constitution of the Asia Pacific Telecommunity.

Member Date joining APT  Afghanistan 1979  Australia 1979  Bangladesh 1979  Bhutan 1998  Brunei Darussalam 1986  Cambodia 2007  China 1979  Cook Islands 1987  North Korea 1994  Fiji 1999  Hong Kong 2009  India 1979  Indonesia 1985  Iran 1980  Japan 1979  South Korea 1979  Lao People's Democratic Republic 1989  Macau 1993  Malaysia 1979  Kiribati 2011  Maldives 1980

Member Date joining APT  Marshall Islands 2005  Micronesia 1994  Mongolia 1991  Myanmar 1979  Nauru 1979    Nepal 1979  New Zealand 1993  Niue 2002  Pakistan 1979  Palau 1996  Papua New Guinea 1993  Philippines 1979  Samoa 2000  Singapore 1979  Solomon Islands 2010  Sri Lanka 1979  Thailand 1979  Tonga 1992  Tuvalu 2011  Vanuatu 2010  Vietnam 1979

The objective of the Telecommunity shall be to foster the development of telecommunication services and information infrastructure throughout the region with a particular focus on the expansion thereof in less developed areas.

In furtherance thereof, the Telecommunity may:

• Promote the expansion of telecommunication services and information infrastructure and the maximization of the benefits of information and telecommunications technology for the welfare of the people in the region;
• Develop regional cooperation in areas of common interest, including radio communications and standards development;
• Undertake studies relating to developments in telecommunication and information infrastructure technology and policy and regulation in coordination with other international organizations, where pertinent;
• Encourage technology transfer, human resource development and the exchange of information for the balanced development of telecommunication services and information infrastructure within the region; and
• Facilitate coordination within the region with regard to major issues pertaining to telecommunication services and information infrastructure with a view to strengthening the region's international position.

The APT has three major functioning organs: the General Assembly, Management Committee, and General Secretariat. The General Assembly consists of the President and the Vice Presidents; the Management Committee consists of the Chairman and the Vice Chairmen; the General Secretariat consists of the Secretary General, the Deputy Secretary General and other professional staff.

The APT is divided into five sectors each managing different aspects of the matter handled by the Telecommunity. These sectors are Policy and Regulations (PRF), Radiocommunication (RF), Standardization, Human Resource Development (HRD), and ICT Development (APTICT).

The APT is headed by a secretary general who is elected to a three-year term by the Member States at the General Assembly.

• Loqman Husain T.Q.A, Leg d’Hon
• Boonchoo Phienpanji
• Chao Thongma
• Hiroyasu Sonoki
• Jong Soon Lee
• Amarendra Narayan
• Toshiyuki Yamada
• Areewan Haorangsi
• Masanori Kondo

• African Telecommunications Union (ATU)
• Caribbean Postal Union (CPU)
• Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU)
• European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT)
• Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL)
• Postal Union of the Americas, Spain and Portugal
• List of telecommunications regulatory bodies