The digital transformation of the Pacific must be rooted in cooperation, inclusion, and local empowerment, says Papua New Guinea’s Minister for ICT, Timothy Masiu, at the Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association (PITA) gathering in Singapore on Monday.
“It is both an honour and a privilege to join you again at this year’s PITA gathering. Today again, I am happy to address you. You are the ones who will enable our vision for a digitally empowered Pacific to be realized.”
Masiu laid out seven key pillars to drive this transformation—Connectivity, Infrastructure, Policy, Security, Skills, Services, and Local Capacity and connected these directly to the Lagatoi Declaration, endorsed by Pacific ICT Ministers.
“For our remote islands and rural communities, connectivity is more than cables and coverage—it is lifeline access to education, healthcare, markets, and emergency response,” he said.
He warned that the digital divide remains a development crisis, not just a tech issue. Many Pacific islanders still lack reliable or affordable access to the internet, a situation he called unacceptable.
“Infrastructure must be resilient, scalable, and adapted to our unique Pacific context,” Masiu said, calling for investment in climate-resilient networks, energy-efficient data centres, and regionally rooted cloud services.
But he made it clear that infrastructure alone is not enough. “These digital technologies and the ecosystem can thrive only when the right policy frameworks are in place. The right or the appropriate policy framework reflects the needs of our people and our communities.”
Reaffirming the Lagatoi Declaration’s goals, Masiu emphasised affordable, inclusive infrastructure; digital inclusion for women, youth, and persons with disabilities; and stronger regional cooperation. “Let our policy landscape be one that nurtures innovation and protects the vulnerable.”
He addressed cybersecurity head-on, calling it a rising threat.
“As our digital footprint grows, so too must our vigilance. Cyber threats, misinformation, data breaches—these are real risks. But with coordinated regional action, we can build a Pacific of trust.”
Masiu also spotlighted the region’s need to grow its own digital talent. “Technology without skills is wasted potential,” he said.
He urged stakeholders to embed digital literacy in education, train local ICT professionals, and support innovation from within Pacific communities.
And while digitisation is a buzzword, Masiu cautioned against empty efforts.
“Let us not digitise for the sake of it. Let’s digitise to improve lives.”
He called for practical services like e-Health, e-Education, and e-Government to reach rural communities and islanders across the region.
Ending with a powerful metaphor, Masiu drew on the symbol of the Lagatoi canoe.
“The canoe—the Lagatoi, is our Pacific symbol of shared journey. Today, in the digital age, we are building a new canoe: a regional platform for cooperation, innovation, and equity.”
“Let PITA continue to be our compass—steering us toward a future where every Pacific islander is connected, protected, empowered, and inspired. Let’s continue this voyage together—from vision to action, from resilience to digital leadership,” said Masiu.
