By DALCY LULUA
PAPUA New Guinea is preparing to host two (2) prestigious events in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) commencing next week Monday.
The Papua New Guinea National Government through the Ministry for ICT will coordinate and facilitate these events in Port Moresby.
Inaugural Pacific ICT Ministerial Dialogue (PICTMD) will be the first event and is scheduled to run from 28th to 29th August, 2023.
The second one will be the 16th Asia-Pacific Telecommunication (APT) Policy and Regulations Forum (PRFP-16) which is scheduled to take place from 30th August to 1st September, 2023.
This was announced by the Minister for ICT and Member for South-Bougainville Hon. Timothy Masiu in a media conference today.
Minister Masiu said the inaugural Pacific ICT Ministerial Dialogue will see ICT Ministers from across the Pacific and top-level officials including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and regional organizations such as the APT and the Pacific Island Telecommunication (PITA) converge in Port Moresby and sign off on a declaration.
“This declaration will symbolize the commitment of Pacific Countries and Territories to come together to foster a unified approach for the strategic development and strengthening of the region, through the coordinated use and advancement of ICT,” he said.
“As of today, we have confirmed twelve (12) Pacific countries and territories, and official delegations will be flying into Port Moresby as early as Friday August 25th while we have two (2) confirmed countries to attend online.”
The Minister after the Pacific ICT Ministerial Dialogue, some of the members of each delegation will continue into the PRFP-16 – a key event under the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) of the ITU.
He said the PRFP-16 will provide an invaluable platforms for the discussions on telecommunications and ICT policies tailored for the Pacific.
“Aligned with the APT’s Strategic Plan for 2021-2023, the PRFP-16 will delve into priority areas including Digital Infrastructure, Digital Innovation, Security and Trust, Digital Capacity Building and Skills, and Disaster Management.
“The sessions are designed to echo the aspirations set-out in the Ministerial Dialogue’s theme: “Connected Pacific-Enabling Aspirations through ICT,” Minister Masiu said.
He further said a distinct highlight of PRFP-16 will be a roundtable for Ministers and Heads of Regulators, offering a venue for dynamic exchange on recent policy and regulation experiences.
Masiu said PNG is confident that these gatherings will be monumental in shaping the ICT landscape of the Pacific and were looking forward for a successful outcome.
