Suva, Fiji – August 7, 2025
Pacific ICT leaders are convening in Suva this week to advance regional cooperation and digital transformation, as part of a series of high-level meetings culminating in the Pacific ICT Ministers’ Dialogue 2025.
The Pacific region faces a unique set of challenges that hinder inclusive development and service delivery. Vast ocean distances and dispersed populations make physical connectivity difficult, while limited infrastructure restricts access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and emergency response. Many communities remain underserved, especially in rural and outer island areas.
There is also an urgent need to strengthen democratic governance and transparency, particularly in the face of misinformation and limited civic engagement tools. Climate vulnerability adds further pressure, requiring resilient systems to adapt and respond to environmental threats. Economic opportunities are constrained by small markets and limited access to global trade, and as digital adoption grows, so do cybersecurity risks and concerns around data privacy and digital rights.
Against this backdrop, the 18th APT Policy and Regulation Forum for Pacific (PRFP-18) was held earlier this week, organized by the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) and hosted by Fiji’s Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications. The Forum brought together senior officials, regulators, and technical experts to discuss key policy issues and strengthen regional collaboration.
A central focus of PRFP-18 was the implementation of the Lagatoi Declaration and its Action Plan—first adopted at the inaugural Pacific ICT Ministerial Meeting in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, in August 2023. The Declaration outlines shared goals for inclusive digital development, regional connectivity, and resilient ICT systems.
PRFP-18 sets the stage for two major events:
- The Senior Officials Meeting of the Pacific ICT Dialogue, taking place today, August 7
- The 2nd Pacific ICT Ministers’ Dialogue, scheduled for August 8
These meetings aim to accelerate digital transformation across the Pacific, promote inclusive connectivity, and reinforce shared commitments to cybersecurity, infrastructure, and regional innovation.