SYDNEY, 20 June 2025
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has placed digital infrastructure as the focus of its bilateral agenda during the recent high-level ministerial visit to Australia, where the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) engaged with the PNG delegation on possible support for three new undersea cable connections.
The infrastructure initiative, if realized, would significantly enhance PNG’s internet capacity, network redundancy, and regional digital integration—core enablers of the country’s Digital Government Plan.
Minister for Information and Communications Technology, Hon. Timothy Masiu, led the delegation to Canberra and Sydney, accompanied by Members of Parliament and senior officials from the Department of ICT, NICTA, and NBC. Discussions with DFAT and AIFFP officials centered on funding pathways and implementation strategies for the cable projects.
“These cables are not just physical infrastructure—they are bridges for digital inclusion and economic opportunity. We are pursuing this initiative with urgency and shared strategic intent,” said Minister Masiu.
In parallel, the delegation held consultations with leading global technology providers, including Amazon Web Services and Oracle, on scaling cloud-based government services through sovereign-compliant infrastructure and AI-powered platforms. Meetings with AWS, Oracle, Telstra, and Vocus explored technical and operational models to support secure, citizen-facing digital systems.
The Minister also highlighted constructive exchanges with senior officials from the International Telecommunications Union and the Department of Infrastructure. Discussions included cybersecurity initiatives such as RAPID deployments and Protective Domain Name Services, as well as regional cooperation priorities under the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity framework.
“Our talks reflected shared values around secure, sovereign digital infrastructure and the power of connectivity to uplift communities.
We appreciate DFAT’s funding of the visit and the warm hospitality extended by all partners,” Minister Masiu said.