Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Timothy Masiu attended the 17th Internet Governance Forum amongst key ICT industry leaders and policymakers in Africa and Europe.
While discussions took place, Masiu highlighted that Papua New Guinea, being a developing country within the Pacific Region, needs much of the Learning from the African countries and how Africa has come together in an alliance to drive its Digital Agenda.
“PNG and the rest of the Pacific region need to work in a collaborative fashion to create Regional Agenda around these global issues. PNG is now embracing Digital transformation and Digital Skills are vital developments aspect of participation in building a resilient internet ecosystem in the region,” he stated.
He elaborated that PNG Government's participation with the Universities within the country is to drive Digital Skills, and the department is also looking at empowering the SME sector in this so that Digital Skills together with entrepreneurship support farmers which is significant for Digital Economy.
Minister Masiu stated that PNG is now working on its Recent Broadband plan and Universal Access Policy to support meaningful connectivity.
“Affordable, accessible, and reliable infrastructure are the foundation to achieve an inclusive digital transformation. Our National Broadband plan and the new UAS policy will lead us on the right path to meeting our country’s Sustainable Development Goals and the goals set out in Agenda 2030,” said Minister Masiu.
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary-General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, as well as the rest of the panelists acknowledged that meaningful connectivity is important and key to accessing national and global digital services.
The ITU Secretary-General concluded that it is vital that collaboration and coordination are at the forefront of the successful delivery of this agenda, and there is no need to create something new however working together to understand the failures and look into the success factors would help catalyze Digital Development within this space.