THEME: ‘Smart Pacific, One Voice’

The theme is a call for greater collaboration and partnership among smaller Pacific Island Developing States (PIDS) towards finding digital solutions to address social, security and economic challenges in the Pacific. The Regional Cooperation is to Harness the Potential of Digital Technologies, Infrastructure, and Services in Addressing Regional Security and Digital Economy Challenges and Possible Establishment of an ITU Sub-Regional Office.

INTRODUCTION

PIDSS face unique challenges in terms of security and economic development due to their geographic isolation, limited resources, and lack of capacity. In light of these challenges, the potential of digital technologies, infrastructure and services to address regional security and digital economy challenges, and the possible establishment of an ITU Sub-regional Office, have become increasingly relevant and vital.

OBJECTIVE OF THE PACIFIC ICT HEADS MEETING

The intention of the Pacific ICT Ministers Dialogue is to unite the Pacific ICT Ministers to work together towards:

1. Identify and collectively push for recognition and support to address issues specific to the Pacific through international and regional fora, particularly to International Telecommunication Union (ITU) World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23), the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau World Conference (WTSA), the Bureau of Development Conference (BDT) and the Plenipotentiary Conference. These world conferences of the ITU are held once every four years;
2. Identify challenges hindering efficient delivery of ICT connectivity and services in the Pacific and propose collaborative and sustainable means to deliver the ICT connectivity and services to our citizens; and
3. Identify common social, security and economic needs in the Pacific and propose sustainable innovative ways using ICT technology to meet these needs.

The Pacific ICT Heads of Agencies meeting from 13 – 14 February 2023, will deliberate on issues and agree on a draft Resolution on potential areas of collaboration for the Ministers to consider and adopt.

CONSIDERATIONS

It is acknowledged that the Pacific ICT Ministers, through the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) Leaders, have had a number of meetings and passed resolutions that members were tasked to implement as part of their respective national strategies (Pacific Regional ICT Strategic Action Plan for 2016 – 2020). The Action Plan seeks to enhance social and
economic sustainable development, good governance and security through better access and use of ICT across the region.

APEC Digital strategies talks about the digital economy, that is also an area requiring collaboration among the PIDS to deliver.

However, the challenge remains in resourcing and sustaining the implementation of these resolutions. Limited availability of broadband infrastructure, lack of capacity building, inadequate funding, digital divide, and data privacy and security, and interoperability, and integration of the digital economy with traditional sectors such as agriculture, tourism and fisheries are among the top challenges that need to be addressed.

Noting also that the technology has advanced more rapidly in the past few years, out-dating any resolutions and or strategies that were developed over the past years.

The proposed Pacific ICT Ministers Dialogue, reactivates collaborations among the Pacific ICT Ministers, with the focus on identifying our challenges, assess the emerging technologies, develop common proposals and linking the Pacific to the resources that are available through regional and international sources, the resources that would be more readily accessed collectively as a region than individually. PIDS can work together to promote the integration of digital economy with traditional sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, and tourism to drive innovation and sustainable economic growth.

REGIONAL COOPERATION

The Pacific ICT Heads and Ministers Dialogue provides an excellent platform for PIDSS to engage in regional cooperation and collaboration aimed at harnessing the potential of digital technologies, infrastructure, and services to address regional security and digital economy challenges and push for common agendas collectively. Through this platform, PIDSS can work together to establish regional networks, build capacity, connect with global markets, develop open data policies, and establish Regional Interoperability Frameworks and secure data exchange platforms.

ITU Sub-Regional Office

Given the size and importance of the Pacific region, it is important to consider requesting the ITU for the establishment of a sub-regional ITU office in the Pacific. This office would provide a focal point for the ITU’s activities in the region and would allow ITU to better coordinate and align its efforts with regional stakeholders.

The establishment of an ITU Sub-regional Office would assist PIDSS in leveraging the potential of digital technologies and services, providing a centralized platform for regional cooperation and collaboration in the development and implementation of digital solutions to regional security and digital economy challenges. The ITU Sub-regional Office would play a critical role in the development of regional networks, building capacity, connecting with global markets, and developing open data policies, and Regional
Interoperability Frameworks.

The proposed Sub-regional ITU Office is to:

1. provide better access to ITU services for Pacific Island countries, which are often geographically isolated and lack the resources to access ITU services and benefit from such programs.
2. provide a more effective and efficient way to deliver ITU services to Pacific Island countries.
3. support the development of digital infrastructure and services in the Pacific, enabling the region to better utilize ICTs to achieve their development goals.
4. increase the region’s visibility and access to ITU services, thus promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing between Pacific Island countries and the global ICT community.
5. create a central hub for ICT capacity building and technical support in the Pacific, enhancing the skills and knowledge of local ICT professionals and entrepreneurs.
6. improve the Pacific region’s ability to participate in and benefit from global ICT initiatives and advances.
7. create a regional platform for research, development, and innovation in the ICT sector, enabling the Pacific to be a leader in the development of new ICT solutions and the digital economy.

Regional Security

The use of digital technologies and services to address regional security challenges is a vital aspect of regional cooperation. The Pacific ICT Heads and Ministers Dialogue provides an opportunity for PIDSS to collaborate in the establishment of Regional Digital Maritime Surveillance Network or Domain Awareness, Cybersecurity frameworks, Regional Data-Sharing Platforms, Leveraging Cloud-Based Technologies, Improving Telecommunications Infrastructure, developing a Regional Emergency
Telecommunication Plan (RETP), and Improving Early Warning Systems.

Establishing a Regional Digital Maritime Surveillance Network: Pacific Island countries can collaborate to launch a digital maritime surveillance network or Domain Awareness that allows for the real-time monitoring of illegal fishing activities, border crossings, and other maritime security threats. This would enable governments to respond quickly to any potential security threats and protect their territorial waters.

Cybersecurity: Pacific Island countries can collaborate to implement best practices for securing our critical digital infrastructures and systems. This would include assessing the existing initiatives and strategizing on best approaches towards sharing of information and implementing measures such as monitoring of cyber threats, incident response protocols, and data protection measures.

Establishing Regional Data-Sharing Platforms: Pacific Island countries can also collaborate to establish regional data-sharing platforms that enable the real-time sharing of information between countries. This would enable our governments and our citizens to easily exchange and access information on maritime security threats and other security-related topics as well as for trade and economic related purposes.

Leveraging Cloud-Based Technologies: SIDS of the Pacific can also collaborate to leverage cloud-based technologies to improve their collective security. This could include the use of technologies such as cloud-based analytics to better identify and respond to security threats.

Improving Telecommunications Infrastructure: Pacific Island SIDS can also collaborate to improve their telecommunications infrastructure in order to better facilitate the exchange of security-related information. This could include the deployment of faster networks and the development of new technologies such as 5G and disruptive satellite models such as StarLink.

Developing a regional emergency telecommunication plan (RETP): SIDS of the Pacific are regularly hampered by natural disasters every year. Strategies and implementing mechanisms need to be better coordinated for collaboration between the region when disaster strikes. When strong cyclones hit a country demolishing mobile towers and damaging cables, the only technology available to provide continued communication is satellite. Therefore, it is a forward-looking strategy to find funding to purchase satellite mobile phones, VSATs and broadband global area networks (BGANs) to name a few that provide Internet access and restore communication. The region can quickly and easily mobilize its own satellite equipment.

Improving Early Warning Systems: As unequivocally stated in the PIF Boe Declaration, climate change remains the “single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and well-being of the peoples of the Pacific”. Pacific Island nations must collaborate to leverage the use of ICTs to improve their early warning systems. This could include deployment of smart technologies like SMART cables in the Pacific Ocean to monitor ocean temperatures, pressure and seismic activities on the sea bed.

Digital Economy

The digital economy is rapidly emerging as a key enabler of economic growth and development in PIDSS. Through regional cooperation and collaboration, PIDSS can leverage the potential of digital technologies and services to enhance the digital economy, by connecting with global markets, developing open data policies, and Regional Interoperability Frameworks, and secure data exchange platforms.

Establishing regional networks: Regional networks can be established to connect all Pacific Island countries, allowing them to leverage digital technologies to share resources and collaborate more efficiently. This could include initiatives like the Pacific Connectivity Network (PCN), which would provide access to the internet for the Pacific Island countries.

Building capacity: By investing in digital infrastructure, the Pacific Island countries can increase their digital capacity and create a platform for regional and global collaboration, including developing a body of knowledge and expertise in ICTs within the region. This could include initiatives like the Pacific Digital Development Fund (PDDF) which would provide funds to businesses and governments to develop digital skills, infrastructure, and tools.

Connecting with global markets: By connecting particularly our local SME and businesses with global markets, Pacific Island countries can open up new opportunities for their businesses and citizens. This could include initiatives like the Pacific Trade and Investment Network (PTIN) which would connect Pacific Island countries to global markets to facilitate trade and investment.

Developing open data policies: Open data policies can help to ensure that citizens and businesses have access to the data they need to make informed decisions. This could include initiatives like the Pacific Open Data Project (PODP) which would promote the development and use of open data to support economic development in the Pacific Island countries.

Regional Interoperability Frameworks: Interoperability frameworks are a key enabler for Digital Transformation in the region as they reduce system boundaries between government agencies by setting standards and guidelines across government systems to allow for seamless exchange of information and
communication between systems.

CONCLUSION

The Pacific ICT Heads and Ministers Dialogue provides an excellent platform for PIDSS to engage in regional cooperation and collaboration aimed at harnessing the potential of digital technologies, infrastructure, and services to address regional security and digital economy challenges. The establishment of an ITU Sub-regional Office would provide a centralized platform for regional cooperation and collaboration in the development and implementation of digital solutions to regional security and digital economy challenges. PIDSS must work together to harness the potential of digital technologies and services, to address regional security and digital economy challenges, and to ensure a sustainable future for our nations and the region.