Pacific Island nations are uniting behind a shared digital vision to strengthen sovereignty, boost connectivity, and build resilience across the region, Papua New Guinea’s Minister for ICT Timothy Masiu told delegates at the Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association (PITA) Annual General Meeting in Honiara this week.
“The theme chosen for this year—‘Digital Nations and Smart Blue Continent: Strengthening the Digital Sovereignty, Connectivity and Resilience for the Pacific Future’—is timely, ambitious, and deeply resonant with the transformative changes we are witnessing across the globe,” said Masiu, who also serves as Chair of the Pacific ICT Ministers Dialogue.
Masiu emphasised that digital transformation in the Pacific is no longer aspirational—it’s happening now.
He highlighted the Pacific ICT Ministers Dialogue, established in 2022 during the ITU Plenipotentiary in Romania, as a key platform driving this shift. Its first meeting, held in Port Moresby in August 2023, produced the Lagatoi Declaration—a unified Pacific roadmap for digital development.
“We aim to ensure that our Pacific people enjoy access to affordable, reliable, resilient, secure, inclusive, and interoperable ICT infrastructure services,” Masiu said.
He outlined three core goals of the Dialogue: unified regional representation, tailored digital solutions, and the establishment of an ITU Sub-Regional Office in the Pacific.
The declaration also calls on global partners to step up technical and financial support
“It is a commitment to innovation, to open and strategic partnerships, and to building a digital future that leaves no island behind,” Masiu said.
Detailing Papua New Guinea’s national efforts, Masiu pointed to sweeping reforms and infrastructure rollouts, including the Digital Transformation Policy, Digital Government Act, and a Government Cloud Infrastructure already serving over 950 public bodies.
PNG is also advancing a national digital ID system called SevisPass, designed to expand access to public services and the digital economy.
“Our governments are actively updating our legal and regulatory systems to welcome new technologies while safeguarding our citizens from digital risks,” said Masiu.
“The Lagatoi commitments clearly outline the Pacific governments’ priorities. I urge you to align your strategies with these priorities and become our key partners in delivering digital transformation.”
He encouraged participation in the next Pacific ICT Ministers Dialogue, scheduled for 08 August 2025 in Suva, Fiji, ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in the Solomon Islands.
“Together, let us shape a smart, sovereign, connected, and resilient Blue Pacific Continent,” Masiu said.
