Thursday August 7th, 2025
The 2nd Pacific ICT Ministers Dialogue officially opened yesterday, 7th August in Suva, Fiji, bringing together regional leaders, international partners, and digital policy experts to collaborate and accelerate the Pacific’s digital transformation agenda. reaffirming the region’s shared commitment to inclusive, secure, and culturally grounded digital progress, the dialogue builds on the momentum of the 2023 Lagatoi Declaration signed in Port Moresby.
Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications, in his remarks, emphasized the country’s strides, aligned with the Lagatoi Declaration, in bridging the digital divide.
“Fiji remains committed to the success of the Lagatoi Declaration,” he stated. “We’ve deployed Starlink services to connect our most remote communities, and we are now preparing to roll out our 5G network — ensuring no one is left behind in our digital journey.”
Cybersecurity was also a central theme in Fiji’s address. The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted Fiji’s accession to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime and the activation of Fiji CERT, the nation’s Computer Emergency Response Team.
“Cyber safety remains at the forefront of our digital evolution,” he said. “Fiji CERT is not just a national initiative — it’s a regional asset. We stand ready to collaborate, share threat intelligence, and support efforts to safeguard our digital ecosystem together.”
He also noted Fiji’s progress in digital governance, including the launch of a National Digital Strategy and the integration of licensing and permits into a single digital platform.
“These reforms are making it easier to do business and are closely aligned with the principles of the Lagatoi Declaration,” he added.
Acting ICT Minister and Minister for Police of Papua New Guinea, Hon. Peter Tsiamalili Jr., delivered a powerful message on the strategic importance of the Pacific’s geography.
“The Pacific is not just a collection of small islands — it is a vast digital frontier,” he declared. “Our big ocean and big airspace are not barriers — they are assets that position the Pacific as a digital gateway between continents.”
He called for innovation in satellite connectivity, undersea cables, and cross-border cybersecurity, emphasizing the need for sovereign and inclusive digital infrastructure.
Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Mr. Baron Waqa underscored the role of ICT in achieving the region’s broader development goals.
“ICT is an enabler of sustainable economic growth, regional security, and environmental resilience,” he said. “It sits at the very heart of the Pacific Islands Forum’s agenda.”
Dr. Masanori Kondo, Secretary General of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT), praised the Lagatoi Declaration as a landmark in regional cooperation.
“The declaration reflects our collective voyage toward a future where digital transformation reaches every island and community,” he said. “It is a symbol of connection and cultural principles guiding modern progress.”
Mr. Seizo Onoe, Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), reaffirmed ITU’s support:
“Digital transformation is one of ITU’s top priorities,” he said, pledging continued collaboration with Pacific nations.
As the Dialogue continues, ministers and stakeholders will explore strategies for digital inclusion, cybersecurity, infrastructure development, and regional cooperation. The spirit of the Lagatoi — a traditional Pacific vessel symbolizing unity and journey — remains a guiding metaphor for the region’s digital aspirations.
Echoing the sentiment of a region determined to shape its digital destiny Dr Kondo urged the Pacific ICT Ministers “Let us continue this journey with shared vision.”