Suva, Fiji – 8 August 2025

Session 1: Confirmation of the Chair and Vice-Chairs, Approval of the Agenda

Session 1 began with the official appointment of Hon. Peter Tsiamalili Jr of Papua New Guinea as Chair, supported by Hon. Simo Kofe of Tuvalu and Hon. Manoa Kamikamica of Fiji as Vice-Chairs. The Chair opened the dialogue by expressing gratitude to all participants for their leadership roles and commitment to the meeting’s success.

The proposed agenda was then presented for consideration. Delegates engaged in a brief discussion and, through consensus, adopted the agenda without amendment.

Session 2: National Updates and Regional Priorities

Chaired by Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Manoa Kamikamica, this session featured country delegations showcasing their digital transformation roadmaps and calling for deeper regional cooperation.

• Tonga highlighted its Smart Island Initiative, deploying Starlink terminals to remote communities, and outlined a comprehensive suite of policies from e-waste to disability training.
• New Zealand emphasized two priority areas: foundational digital transformation backed by a NZD 6 million Pacific Digital Economy Program, and innovation through a national AI Strategy aligned with OECD principles.
• Tuvalu noted its recent submarine cable and Starlink gateway, underscored emerging risks like misinformation, and introduced a “Digital Ark” to preserve culture and empower youth.
• Vanuatu reaffirmed the Lagatoi Declaration, presented its Digital Transformation Masterplan, and called for scaling Smart Island pilots to support MSME innovation.
• Federated States of Micronesia stressed connectivity as a lifeline across 607 islands, commended partnerships with Google and ITU, and endorsed key cyber and data protection legislation.
• Fiji announced completion of its National Digital Strategy, committed to cyber resilience, and invited industry collaboration to realize its roadmap.
• Papua New Guinea outlined its dual focus on infrastructure—such as the Coral Sea and Kumul submarine cables, spectrum planning, and cloud migration—and on trust through security policies, incident response teams, and global cybercrime conventions.
• Niue flagged the transformative impact of undersea cables on 4G coverage, raised concerns about LEO operators’ effects on taxation and data sovereignty, and progressed cybersecurity and telecommunications reforms.
• Australia, Solomon Islands, Samoa, and Kiribati each voiced support for shared priorities—from expanding submarine cables and combating online harms to advancing e-commerce, e-health, and digital literacy—demonstrating broad commitment across the Pacific.

Session 3: Digital Infrastructure, Security, and Trust

Ministers returned to core themes of interoperable infrastructure and collective cybersecurity. Fiji reaffirmed shared responsibility under the Lagatoi Declaration and its accession to the Budapest Convention protocols. PNG detailed its Digital Government Act, Digital ID system, and secure data exchange platform, alongside a 64 percent rise in cyber threats.

Delegates agreed on the need for standardized threat-intelligence sharing, capacity building through PaCSON, and joint implementation of UN norms for responsible state behavior in cyberspace.

Cross-Cutting Themes

• Regional solidarity amplifies individual efforts and underpins inclusive growth.
• Connectivity—via cables, satellites, and domestic fibre—is non-negotiable for education, health, commerce, and disaster resilience.
• Cybersecurity and trust frameworks must evolve in tandem with infrastructure investments.
• Digital literacy, youth empowerment, and cultural preservation are central to sustainable transformation.
• Partnerships with multilateral agencies, the private sector, and development partners are critical enablers.

Way Forward

Ministers committed to implementing the Lagatoi Declaration’s six priority areas through national action plans and strengthened regional mechanisms.

Next steps include finalizing cybercrime legislation, launching data protection policies, scaling Smart Island initiatives, and coordinating investments in shared infrastructure.

This dialogue reaffirms that a cohesive Pacific digital ecosystem—grounded in trust, resilience, and inclusivity—will drive the region’s shared prosperity.