PORT MORESBY, 20 July 2026
Minister for Information and Communications Technology Hon. Robert Naguri has outlined four key priorities that will guide Papua New Guinea’s digital transformation, calling on government, industry and development partners to work together in building a trusted and inclusive digital future.
Delivering his first official national address since becoming Minister for ICT, Hon. Naguri said he was honoured to open the Digital Transformation Summit 2026 and thanked Prime Minister James Marape for entrusting him with the portfolio.
He said the summit provides an opportunity for leaders from government, business, academia and development organisations to share ideas, strengthen partnerships and identify practical ways to move Papua New Guinea’s digital transformation agenda forward.
The Minister said this year’s summit theme, “Building Papua New Guinea’s Digital Public Ecosystem on Trust, Infrastructure, Innovation and Inclusion,” reflects the country’s next stage of digital development.
He said discussions throughout the summit would be guided by four strategic pillars.
The first pillar is trust.
Minister Naguri said people will only use digital services with confidence if they know their personal information is protected, their privacy is respected and government systems are secure.
He said trust is the foundation of every successful digital society.
The Minister said cybersecurity plays a major role in building that confidence, making events such as Pacific Cyber Week an important part of Papua New Guinea’s digital transformation programme.
He described cybersecurity as a shared responsibility that requires cooperation between government, industry, educational institutions, communities and international partners.
Minister Naguri also spoke about the growing use of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.
He said these technologies must be developed and used responsibly to improve government services, increase productivity and create new opportunities while protecting privacy, accountability and national security.
The second pillar is infrastructure.
The Minister said digital transformation depends on reliable broadband networks, secure data centres, cloud services, connected government systems and strong digital public infrastructure.
He said these are no longer optional investments but essential services that support education, healthcare, agriculture, commerce, financial services and public administration.
The Government, he said, remains committed to expanding digital infrastructure so every province, district and community can participate in the digital economy.
The third pillar is innovation.
Minister Naguri said innovation is taking place across Papua New Guinea, with young people creating digital solutions to solve local problems and open new business opportunities.
He said government has an important role in helping innovation grow by investing in digital skills, supporting start-up businesses, encouraging research and strengthening partnerships between industry and universities.
He pointed to the summit’s hackathon, innovation showcase and technology exhibition as examples of local talent and creativity.
“Our responsibility is to create pathways for that talent to succeed,” he said.
The fourth pillar is inclusion.
Minister Naguri said digital transformation must benefit every Papua New Guinean regardless of where they live or their background.
He said women, young people, people living with disabilities, rural communities, provincial governments and small businesses should all have equal opportunities to access digital services and take part in the digital economy.
“Technology should reduce inequality, not deepen it,” he said.
Minister Naguri also highlighted the importance of Digital Public Infrastructure, saying shared digital platforms will help government deliver services more efficiently, improve transparency, reduce duplication and lower operating costs.
He welcomed ministers and delegates from Pacific Island countries attending the Pacific ICT Ministers Forum and thanked development partners, private companies, universities and international organisations for supporting Papua New Guinea’s digital transformation efforts.
He also acknowledged the contribution of young innovators taking part in the summit’s hackathon, Capture the Flag cybersecurity competition, innovation programmes and eGames Championship.
“The future you create will define the future of our nation,” he told participants.
Minister Naguri encouraged delegates to use the summit to build partnerships that continue long after the event concludes.
He said discussions over the coming days should lead to stronger policies, practical investments and measurable outcomes that improve the lives of Papua New Guineans.
The Digital Transformation Summit 2026 continues through 22 July with conferences, technical sessions, exhibitions and regional meetings focused on strengthening digital development across Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.