Thursday 6th August, 2026
Minister for Information and Communications Technology, Hon. Robert Naguri, has announced the start of nationwide public consultation on three priority Bills under the Government’s digital legislative reform agenda.
The Bills include the Data Governance and Protection Bill, the Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Bill, and the Verifiable Credentials Bill.
“In line with the Prime Minister’s directives of 14 July 2026, I have instructed the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the National Information and Communications Technology Authority to expedite these Bills for introduction during the September 2026 sitting of Parliament,” Minister Naguri said.
He explained that the reforms are built on Cabinet-endorsed policies developed over the past six years, including the Digital Transformation Policy 2020, National Cyber Security Policy 2021, Data Governance and Protection Policy 2024, and Digital ID Policy 2025.
The Minister also highlighted Papua New Guinea’s accession to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime earlier this year, noting that it provides an international framework for cybercrime offences, electronic evidence, and cooperation.
“I also confirm that the remaining two reforms—draft amendments to the Cybercrime Code Act 2016 and the National Information and Communication Technology Act 2009—will soon be released for public consultation as part of the same legislative package,” he said.
Parallel to these reforms, the Ministry will fast-track the development of Social Media legislation, guided by the Cabinet-endorsed Social Media Policy. The amendments will address emerging harms such as the non-consensual use of artificial intelligence and digitally manipulated identities.
Together, the reforms aim to protect personal and government data, strengthen cybersecurity and critical infrastructure, establish trusted digital identities, and support secure digital services. They will also underpin Papua New Guinea’s Digital Public Infrastructure, including SevisPass, Sevis Wallet, and SevisDEx.
Drafting instructions, Bills, and consultation guidelines are available on the Department’s website at www.ict.gov.pg from 6 August 2026.
“I encourage government agencies, provincial administrations, industry, financial institutions, telecommunications operators, academia, civil society, legal practitioners and the public to review the documents and provide feedback within the published deadlines,” Minister Naguri urged.
He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to building “a secure, trusted and resilient digital environment for Papua New Guinea.”
(Minister’s Statement