Thursday 15th May 2025
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has expressed strong interest in partnering with Papua New Guinea (PNG) through the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology in the areas of Digital Identification and Cybersecurity. This development was highlighted during a high-level bilateral meeting held today at the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in Port Moresby.
Minister for Information and Communications Technology, Hon. Timothy Masiu, hosted the UAE delegation, led by Mr. Omar Hassan Shehadeh, Envoy of the UAE Foreign Minister, and His Excellency Jamal Abdulla AlSuwaidi, UAE Ambassador to Singapore and the Pacific.
Minister Masiu praised the UAE’s rapid advancements in digital transformation, particularly in Digital ID systems and Dubai’s sophisticated digital infrastructure. He reaffirmed PNG’s commitment to embracing technological progress, stating, “The ICT Ministry is a great ministry. Everywhere you go, the world is moving forward with high-tech solutions—and we are moving with it.”
He outlined PNG’s digital development priorities, including the implementation of secure digital identification, a national payment gateway, and a data exchange platform—initiatives aligned with national strategies such as Mission 2025 and the Medium-Term Development Plan IV (MTDP IV).
“Our proposed areas of collaboration include knowledge sharing from the UAE’s digital experience, cybersecurity capacity building, and the training of our professionals in areas such as threat intelligence, incident response, and digital forensics,” Minister Masiu said. “This is the first time we are engaging with high-level UAE officials in support of our Digital Government agenda.”
Minister Masiu emphasized the importance of the bilateral relationship, noting, “PNG values the UAE’s leadership in digital transformation and cybersecurity. This meeting is a pivotal opportunity to advance our bilateral ties.” He also reaffirmed PNG’s commitment to finalizing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the Field of Cybersecurity, saying, “We are determined to see this MoU finalized.”
He further elaborated on PNG’s digital journey, explaining, “We adopted our Digital Transformation Policy in 2020, guided by Vision 2050 and MTDP IV. Our Digital Government Plan 2023–2027 and key initiatives such as the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) are designed to build a secure, inclusive, and prosperous digital economy.”
Key elements of PNG’s DPI were discussed, including:
- A National Digital ID system for secure, verifiable identities,
- A national payment gateway developed with the Bank of Papua New Guinea to support a cashless economy, and
- A Data Exchange platform to enable secure and interoperable government data sharing.
“My Department is progressing the Data Exchange platform while developing standards for data security and interoperability in line with emerging data protection frameworks,” the Minister noted.
He also acknowledged the National Broadcasting Corporation’s (NBC) role in advancing digital literacy and raising cybersecurity awareness as it transitions to digital broadcasting.
Minister Masiu reaffirmed PNG’s regional leadership in digital transformation through platforms such as the Pacific ICT Ministers Dialogue and the Lagatoi Declaration. “PNG is providing leadership in the Pacific region, and regional cooperation is key to digital resilience,” he said. He added that collaboration with the UAE could significantly strengthen the implementation of regional goals.
On cybersecurity, Minister Masiu stressed the urgency of finalizing the UAE-PNG MoU. “The MoU is both timely and critical, given rising global cyber threats. It will facilitate knowledge sharing, technical cooperation, and joint initiatives to protect our digital infrastructure,” he said, noting that PNG aims to finalize the agreement by June 2025.
Mr. Omar Hassan Shehadeh, representing the UAE Foreign Minister, welcomed PNG’s digital ambitions. “We stand ready to support you with technology transfer, capacity building, and sharing our experience in Digital ID and cybersecurity,” he said. Highlighting the UAE’s capabilities in secure biometric ID systems and digital infrastructure, he offered immediate technical assistance, stating, “We’re ready yesterday. This is something we are fully prepared to support.”
He also proposed technical consultations and potential financial support for infrastructure development, including the establishment of regional cybersecurity hubs, joint training programs, and cooperation in emerging technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI).
Minister Masiu concluded the meeting by reaffirming PNG’s dedication to deepening its partnership with the UAE: “Your visit underscores the growing relationship between our nations. This meeting opens a new chapter for the Department of ICT, the National Broadcasting Corporation, and the National ICT Authority.” He proposed the formation of a joint working group to coordinate efforts in DPI, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies.
Some Pictures from the meeting:
