Fiji has reaffirmed its commitment to a safe, inclusive and digitally connected Pacific after joining regional leaders at the Pacific ICT Ministers Meeting in Port Moresby, where ministers endorsed new initiatives to strengthen digital cooperation and accelerate the region's digital transformation.
Led by Minister for Policing and Communications Ioane Naivalurua, Fiji joined other Pacific nations in endorsing the Digital Technologies and AI Principles for the Pacific, a framework intended to guide the responsible and ethical use of emerging technologies while supporting innovation, economic growth and Pacific values.
Ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to addressing the challenges posed by social media and advancing the Pacific Islands Digital Transformation Action Plan, with priorities including cybersecurity, digital resilience and the development of future-ready digital economies.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Naivalurua held discussions with Australia's Special Envoy to the Pacific on expanding digital cooperation under the Vuvale Partnership, including telecommunications resilience, cyber safety and digital skills development.
The minister also met with the Deputy Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), thanking the organization for its technical support and reiterating Fiji's interest in hosting the ITU Pacific Area Office to strengthen the country's role as a regional hub for telecommunications policy and digital innovation.
During the visit, Naivalurua received a briefing from the Fiji High Commission on bilateral relations with Papua New Guinea, met members of the Fijian community in Port Moresby during a Talanoa session, and visited Vodafone PNG, where he commended the Fijian management team for expanding telecommunications infrastructure through the partnership between Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH), the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) and Vodafone Fiji.
Fiji's delegation, comprising senior government officials and technical experts from the Ministry of Policing and Communications, also participated in technical sessions and policy discussions aimed at advancing digital transformation, cybersecurity and regional digital cooperation across the Pacific.
