Tuesday 21 July, 2026
The Digital Transformation Summit 2026 has officially opened in Port Moresby, bringing together government leaders, technology experts, businesses, development partners and innovators from Papua New Guinea and across the Pacific for one of the region’s biggest ICT gatherings.
Speaking during the opening, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Steven Matainaho said this year’s programme goes beyond the summit itself, combining four major events aimed at strengthening digital cooperation across Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.
The week-long programme includes the Digital Transformation Summit, Pacific Cyber Week, the Pacific ICT Ministers Forum and the Pacific Cyber Security Operational Network (PaCSON) annual activities.
Secretary Matainaho welcomed Prime Minister James Marape, Minister for Information and Communications Technology Robert Naguri, ministers from Pacific Island countries, senior government officials, development partners and international delegates. He also acknowledged representatives from Australia, the United States, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), regional organisations, universities and the private sector for supporting Papua New Guinea’s digital transformation journey.
“The Digital Transformation Summit is more than a conference,” Secretary Matainaho said. “It brings together leaders from government, industry, academia and development organisations to share ideas, strengthen partnerships and work on practical solutions that will improve digital services across our country and the Pacific.”
He explained that the programme was designed to combine policy discussions, technical knowledge, innovation and skills development under one platform. Pacific Cyber Week will focus on improving cybersecurity cooperation across the region, while the Pacific ICT Ministers Forum will allow ministers to discuss common digital challenges and opportunities. PaCSON activities, which continue into next week, will bring together cybersecurity professionals from across the Pacific to strengthen regional cooperation and share technical knowledge.
Youth participation is also a key part of the summit. The programme opened on Sunday with the DTS26 eGames Championship, where around 20 teams competed in the national Call of Duty: Mobile tournament. The event attracted hundreds of participants and spectators, while thousands more followed online. Secretary Matainaho said the eGames Championship was introduced to encourage young people to engage with technology in positive and productive ways.
Alongside the competition, the summit features a national hackathon where young developers are working on digital solutions to address local challenges. The hackathon supports the Government’s goal of encouraging innovation and helping young entrepreneurs turn ideas into businesses that create jobs and contribute to the economy.
The programme also includes the Capture the Flag cybersecurity challenge, giving students and ICT professionals the opportunity to strengthen their technical skills. Technology companies, government agencies, financial institutions, telecommunications providers and universities are exhibiting new products, digital services and innovations throughout the summit.
Secretary Matainaho said these activities give participants an opportunity to build partnerships, exchange ideas and explore new opportunities for collaboration. He thanked the Department’s development partners and sponsors for supporting the summit and helping to create opportunities for knowledge sharing across the region.
He encouraged participants to take full advantage of the programme by attending technical sessions, engaging with exhibitors and building relationships that continue beyond the summit. “The conversations we have this week should lead to stronger partnerships and practical outcomes that support Papua New Guinea’s digital future,” he said.
The Digital Transformation Summit 2026 continues until 22 July, while Pacific Cyber Week, the Pacific ICT Ministers Forum and PaCSON activities will continue through the week as delegates work together to strengthen digital development and cybersecurity across the Pacific.