By MIRIAM MALAWA
East New Britain came alive on Sunday (12th February) with dances and songs as they welcome delegates of the Inaugural Pacific Information Communication and Technology (ICT) dialogue to the province.
The dialogue which is a one day event started today ( Monday). The delegates that arrived were ICT heads from within the Pacific as well as Australia and New Zealand.
New Caledonia Minister for ICT Hon Vaimua Guy Lolohea Muliava also attended the meeting.
Minister for ICT Hon Timothy Masiu during the welcoming dinner, acknowledged that the Pacific region is a vital player in the global ICT landscape.
He said this dialogue serves as a critical platform for the region to come together and discuss opportunities and challenges facing the region.
“We have come together to discuss the challenges and opportunities we face as a region in this rapidly changing world. By collaborating and sharing our idea and resources, we can make the most of the potential that technology has to offer us. More importantly is the question on how we resource and sustain the common proposals that we bring to the table,” Minister Masiu said.
“We acknowledged the importance of digital transformation in driving economic growth and addressing security concerns in the Pacific region. We recognize that our region faces unique challenges, including limited resources and geographical isolation, which can limit out ability for social economic development.”
Minister Masiu said one of the key out come for this dialogue is the establishment of the regional ICT network that will connect all Pacific Island countries.
“This network will allow the region to share resources and collaborate more efficiently and will help the region to build the digital infrastructure necessary to support the region’s collective security and economic growth,” he said.
Meanwhile, ENB Governor Hon Michael Marum thanked Minister Masiu and his department for choosing the province.
