Sunday, 1 November 2026
Papua New Guinea and Fiji are set to strengthen regional cooperation in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector following a successful four-day visit to Fiji by ICT Minister Hon. Robert Naguri. The visit culminated in a proposal for a formal PNG-Fiji ICT cooperation framework that will support information sharing, technical collaboration, capacity building and joint digital initiatives, reinforcing both countries’ commitment to advancing the Pacific’s digital transformation agenda.
Minister Naguri returned to Port Moresby after a series of meetings with Fijian government ministers, senior officials, regional organisations and industry stakeholders in Suva.
Describing the visit as productive and significant, Minister Naguri said it marked the beginning of a stronger and more practical ICT partnership between Papua New Guinea and Fiji.
“This was my first visit to Fiji, and I want to ensure it is not a one-off engagement but the start of a lasting partnership between our two countries in the ICT space,” he said.
The Minister has directed the Department of ICT, National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA), and the PNG High Commission in Suva to immediately follow up on areas of cooperation identified during the visit.
He said both countries will now work towards finalising a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will provide a formal framework for cooperation and future collaboration.
According to Minister Naguri, the proposed framework will focus on information sharing, technical cooperation, institutional strengthening, human resource development and the implementation of practical joint initiatives across the ICT sector.
The visit was undertaken at the invitation of Fiji’s Minister for Policing and Communications, Hon. Ioane Naivalurua.
Minister Naguri thanked his Fijian counterpart for the warm hospitality extended to the PNG delegation and for coordinating a comprehensive programme focused on bilateral ICT issues and opportunities.
He said discussions throughout the week highlighted that both countries face similar challenges in the ICT sector and share significant opportunities that could be better addressed through closer collaboration.
“There are many areas where PNG and Fiji can learn from each other and work together for our mutual benefit,” he said.
Minister Naguri also expressed his willingness to return to Fiji for the formal signing of the proposed MoU once arrangements are finalised.
He said the planned cooperation framework should be progressed in the spirit of the Lakatoi Declaration and aligned with broader regional priorities under the Pacific Islands Forum’s infrastructure and connectivity agenda.
During his visit, Minister Naguri met with Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Baron Waqa and his management team. He also participated as a panellist at Fiji’s National Cybersecurity and Resilience Convention.
The Minister further met with the Israeli Ambassador to Fiji and the Pacific Island States to discuss opportunities for cooperation in ICT and agriculture.
As part of his programme, Minister Naguri held bilateral talks with Minister Naivalurua and visited several key ICT institutions, including the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC), the Fijian Government Data Centre, government digital infrastructure provider Walesi, and telecommunications operator Amalgamated Telecom Holdings/Vodafone Fiji.
A key outcome of the visit was an agreement for NBC and FBC to progress a separate MoU focused on digital broadcasting and broadcasting archives management.
Minister Naguri was accompanied by Department of ICT Deputy Secretary (Policy) Mr Flierl Shongol and NBC Managing Director Kora Nou.
He returned to Port Moresby on Sunday following the conclusion of the visit.