South Slope Welcomes International Delegation for Indo-Pacific Infrastructure Cooperation
September 6, 2024
South Slope Cooperative Communications proudly hosted an international delegation participating in the “Cooperation on Infrastructure for the Indo-Pacific” project, part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). Organized by American Councils for International Education, this initiative brings together key infrastructure leaders from the Indo-Pacific region to engage with U.S. counterparts on infrastructure development, policy, and innovation.
As part of the visit, South Slope provided the delegation with an exclusive tour of their critical infrastructure facility supporting broadband operations in the region. This was followed by a panel discussion where South Slope CEO, Chuck Deisbeck, South Slope COO, Brian Hamacher, and Plant Manager, Jason Urell, shared insights into the construction, maintenance, and management of broadband networks. The group expressed particular interest in how South Slope ensures reliable and high-speed connectivity in both urban and rural areas, a vital concern for many Indo-Pacific nations.
The delegation includes the following participants:
- Australia: Timothy Huggins, Assistant Secretary, Connectivity and Infrastructure Policy Branch, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- India: Abhishek Vijaykumar Agarwal, Senior Specialist, National Institution for Transforming India
- India: Dorjee Pintso Bhutia, Assistant Engineer, Culture Department, Government of Sikkim
- Japan: Akihiro Mizushima, Deputy Assistant Director, Transportation Group, Infrastructure Management Department, Japan International Cooperation Agency
- Japan: Yuya Ueda, Deputy Assistant Director, Office for Loan Project Technical Examination, Infrastructure Engineering Department, Japan International Cooperation Agency
- Laos: Somsanouk Pathoumvanh, Ph.D., Director, Lao Japan Technical Training Center, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Laos
- Maldives: Fathimath Shaana Farooq, Director General, Infrastructure, Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
- New Zealand: Katherine Anna Halliburton, Acting Unit Manager, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Vietnam: Manh Linh, Finance and Budget Specialist, Financial and Budgetary Department, Office of National Assembly
The program aims to:
- Examine how the American infrastructure industry is modeled;
- Explore the relationships between infrastructure investors, contractors, and regulators in the United States;
- Build trust between American infrastructure investors and their international counterparts;
- Explore alternative regional infrastructure investment models; and
- Examine the public policy process for funding and developing infrastructure.
“We are honored to have hosted such a distinguished group of international leaders and shared our expertise on broadband infrastructure,” said Deisbeck. “Their interest in broadband networks highlights the critical role telecommunications play in infrastructure development globally. We were excited to engage in discussions that will strengthen partnerships and improve digital connectivity across the Indo-Pacific.”