Secretary-General of the Asia Pacific Telecommunity, Excellency Masanori Kondo,

The Forum Chair, Mr. Ilyas Ahmed,

Minister for Information, Communications and Technology of PNG, Hon Timothy Masiu

Vice-Chairs, Ms. Thasawan Samorwong and Mr. Brian Winji,

Excellencies,

Distinguished Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Bula Vinaka and a very good morning, – good afternoon and good evening, to those tuning in virtually.

 

2. On behalf of the Government and the People of Fiji, it is my distinct pleasure to welcome you all to the 23rd Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT) Policy and Regulatory Forum (PRF-23), here in Nadi.

 

3. A special welcome to those visiting Fiji for the first time. We hope you get the opportunity and time to enjoy our world-famous Fijian hospitality.

 

4. At the onset, I would like to extend the apologies of our Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Trade, Co-operatives and Small and Medium Enterprises, and Communications, Honourable Manoa Kamikamica, who regrets his absence this morning due to Cabinet obligations in Suva. However, I am pleased to inform you that the Honourable Deputy Prime Minister will be joining us this afternoon.

 

5. I would like to thank the Secretary-General and the Chair of the Forum for setting the scene in terms of what has been achieved and the prelude to upcoming sessions and work programs. This has made my task easier.

 

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

6. I was recently appointed the Permanent Secretary for Communications, an expansion of my role from Trade. (So please forgive me for any oversights.)

 

7. Digital economy, which is central to our discussions, also plays an important part in my other role of trade and trade negotiations. And you would note that there are a plethora of Bilateral and Regional digital-economy agreements being negotiated and concluded amongst our countries — with the latest being the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (for Prosperity), which includes 14 economies of Asia-Pacific.

 

 

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

8. In this rapidly evolving digital landscape, we are witnessing exponential growth, with new inventions emerging daily, more online business transactions, more services becoming accessible on our devices, and more people gaining connectivity.

 

9. And with reason as well, the digital-economy drives economic growth, creates jobs, fosters innovation, enhances productivity and achieves Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

10. You would agree, that in order to optimise the impact from the Digital Economy, we need to establish an open, secure, stable, accessible, and peaceful cyber-space, supported by resilient infrastructure.

 

11. Such an environment is essential for bridging the digital divide, enabling smaller countries to advance towards a digital economy, and creating a more equitable and prosperous society.

 

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

12. With the increasing prevalence of Cloud Computing, Data Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), technology permeates into every aspect of our lives, driven by both necessity and convenience.

 

13. To keep pace with these developments, the Fiji Government has embarked on several digital initiatives, such as digitalFIJI and bizFIJI, to bring online Government (and in the future non-Government) services to our society and businesses.

 

14. However, the evolution of a digital-economy brings its own challenges and risks. Thus, it is crucial to ensure that we have robust policies and regulations and create an environment that gives confidence to our stakeholders, especially the private sector.

 

15. Our collective security and prosperity rely on our ability to adapt, collaborate, and safeguard our digital ecosystems, which is precisely why we gather annually in this Forum.

 

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

16. In the Pacific Region, our population is scattered across vast areas, encompassing hundreds of islands and remote mountainous terrain.

 

17. Despite geographical challenges, the demand for ICT services amongst our people matches that of the rest of the world, if not, is greater. Our challenge remains in connecting and providing digital services to those in isolated rural and maritime areas.

 

18. To address this challenge, numerous initiatives in the Region have been implemented to improve connectivity. We are witnessing the expansion of submarine cable networks, the introduction of 4G and 5G cellular networks, and the affordability of low earth orbit satellite services, bypassing traditional fixed line and GSM/3G technologies.

 

19. But, to effectively tackle these challenges, we must foster an environment of trust and collaboration between Governments, Regulators, the Private Sector, and the Civil Society.

 

20. We need strong and clear digital and cybersecurity policies and regulations that protect critical infrastructure, promote innovation and the adoption of emerging technologies, and safeguards the rights and interests of individuals.

 

21. Amongst us, we have countries that have successfully trialled new technologies and innovations. It is imperative that we share this knowledge to bridge the digital divide — not only within our countries — but amongst our countries as well.

 

22. Tomorrow morning, our Honourable Deputy Prime Minister will share Fiji’s digital journey and our efforts in building a more inclusive and sustainable digital economy, including challenges that we are addressing.

 

23. But as host, we would like to respectfully make a few suggestions to the Secretariat and to the Forum, and set a greater ambition for our discussions.

 

24. We would like to see a greater footprint of APT in the Region. In the Pacific, we are small and at times, our voices are not heard. We believe that Small Island and Developing States (SIDS) require continued dialogue, technical assistance and capacity building to ensure that we are not left behind.

 

25. In this regard, the APT can play a vital role in advocating and mobilising resources and mobilising partner agencies like ITU and ESCAP, as well as our Private and Bilateral partners, to have a more focused role in the Pacific and other developing countries of the APT.

 

 

 

26. Indeed, this Forum provides a platform to explore the vast opportunities presented by the evolving technology landscape and discuss the challenges that it poses.

 

27. Over the next two and a half days, we will delve into the latest trends, share our experiences, and seek solutions to the pressing issues facing our Nations and Regions. I am eagerly looking forward to the engaging sessions ahead.

 

28. I am confident that this Forum will provide valuable insights to shape our strategies and policies in the years to come.

 

29. I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to the success of this event. Your hard work and dedication is appreciated. I thank you for your commitment to the technological development of our Region.

 

30. Once again, I welcome you to the 23rd APT – Policy and Regulatory Forum and I look forward to engaging with each one of you.

 

Thank you, and as we say in Fiji, Vinaka vaka levu.