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Pacific ICT Ministerial Forum: "Connected the Unconnected"

Nukuálofa, Tonga
17 - 20 February 2009

FINAL AGENDA

Tuesday 17 February 2009
08:00 - 09:00 Registration
09:00 - 09:30 Opening Session
  • Ms. Eun-Ju Kim (download Opening Remarks)
    Head, ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
     
  • Mr. Zengpei Xuan
    Division Chief, ICT and Disaster Risk Reduction Division, UN-ESCAP
     
  • Mr. John Budden
    Economic Infrastructure Advisor, Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS)
     
  • Mr. Paula Pouvalu Ma'u
    Acting Chief Secretary & Acting Secretary of Cabinet and Acting Secretary for Communications, Kingdom of Tonga
09:30 - 11:15
 		 Theme 1: Affordable Access: Domestic Connectivity in the Pacific
(1 hr 45 mins)
  The Abstract: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is one of the key requisites to drive economic growth and human and social development. However, a large majority of population in the Pacific Region, particularly in rural, remote and outer islands, are not benefiting from the emergence of the information society and the development of ICTs. There is the need to find low-cost innovative solutions to narrow the digital divide. The Forum would invite and encourage partners to propose and examine various ways to address this challenge thereby achieve the targets of WSIS.
 
  Moderator: Mr. Henao Iduhu, Acting Secretary, Department of Communication and Information, Papua New Guinea
Co Moderator: Ms. Eun-Ju Kim, Head, ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (Biodata)
11:15 - 11:45 Coffee/Tea Break hosted by TongaSAT
11:45−13:30
 		 Theme 2: Affordable Access: International Connectivity in the Pacific
(1 hr 45 mins)
  The Abstract: Lunch Break Several studies done in the past suggest options for infrastructure sharing among countries in the Pacific as limited availability and high cost of international bandwidth remains a critical constraint. There is considerable interest among governments in the region, as well as amongst the various stakeholders to address these constraints. Currently, there are ongoing discussions about the possible participation of countries in a regional submarine cable project while there is also a need to examine the option of continued broadband connectivity using satellite.

It is envisaged that the Forum would examine various proposals to pursue implementation project(s) that would ensure broadband Pacific Connectivity (either submarine or satellite or both) leveraging on support from partners.
 
  Moderator: Mr. Franck Conroy March, Senior Specialist Advisor, Digital Development, Energy & Communications, Ministry of Economic Development, New Zealand (Biodata)
Co Moderator: Mr. Ivan Fong, Vice President, PITA
13:30 - 15:00 Demonstration of the GSM Village Connection -- Lunch Break
15:00−16:30
 		 Theme 3: Enabling Environment: Policy, Regulatory & Financial Frameworks
(1 hr 30 mins)
  The Abstract: Enabling environment is the key driver to promote affordable connectivity and investment. While significant developments are being observed in the SIDS of the Pacific, there is a need to identify the gaps that still remain. The Forum will examine enabling frameworks that would encourage investments, allow market entry and at the same time create enough incentives to the players to achieve the WSIS Targets. It is envisaged that policy makers and regulators would consider policy & regulatory mechanisms that would: (i) ensure affordable connectivity to all in the Pacific; (ii) encourage investment in the Pacific through fair, non discriminatory and transparent regulatory rules; and, (iii) create incentives for roll out of nation-wide ICT services through mechanisms such as universal service policies and appropriate financing schemes.

The Forum will examine and discuss options that would provide policy & regulatory assistance to the countries in setting up enabling frameworks.
 
  Moderator: Mr. Alfred Soakai, Deputy Secretary, Department of Communications, Kingdom of Tonga
Co Moderator: Mr. Mario Maniewicz, Chief, Policies and Strategies Department, Telecommunications Development Bureau, ITU
16:30 - 17:00 Coffee/Tea Break hosted by Tonga Communication Corporation (TCC)
17:00 - 17:45
 		 Theme 4a: Cybersecurity
(45 mins)
  The Abstract: As the society goes online, it is important to enhance security and to build confidence in the use of ICT applications through safeguarding networks and online information, as well as developing human capacity programmes. Therefore, this Forum would propose and invite partners to consider work plans through relevant initiatives and/or projects that would promote ICT applications and ensure appropriate level of security.
 
  Moderator: Mr. Wilson Vuti, Director General, Ministry of Infrastructure & Public Utilities, Vanuatu (Biodata)
Co Moderator: Mr. Shoji Matsubara, Advisor to the Director, Disaster Management Support Systems Office, JAXA
18:30 Dinner hosted by Tonga Communication Corporation (TCC)
   
Wednesday 18 February 2009
09:00 - 10:00
 		 Theme 4b: ICT Applications
(1 hr)
  The Abstract: Along with the development of infrastructure, there need to build on the ICT applications and content which are well designed to suit users and communities. Demand for ICT services not only contributes to the social and economic growth but also improves the business case as well as affordability of ICT service provisioning. These applications include as e-Government, e-Commerce, e-Learning, e-Health, e-Environment, e-Agriculture etc.
 
  Moderator: Mr. Wilson Vuti, Director General, Ministry of Infrastructure & Public Utilities, Vanuatu
Co Moderator: Mr. Shoji Matsubara, Advisor to the Director, Disaster Management Support Systems Office, JAXA
10:00 - 11:30
 		 Theme 5: Emergency Communications and Disaster Relief/Climate Change
(1 hr 30 mins)
  The Abstract: Pacific Islands Countries of which many are located in the Pacific Ring of Fire face several kinds of natural disasters, more frequently with higher magnitude. It is important that a nation has the capacity and capability of rapidly deploying resources including human, equipment and telecommunication services, particularly for disaster relief operations. The Forum would consider various proposals and ongoing activities which aim to build the framework for cooperation in emergencies.
 
  Moderator: Mr. Tua'imalo Asamu Ah Sam, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Samoa
Co Moderator: Mr. Zengpei Xuan, Division Chief, ICT & DRR Division, ESCAP
11:30 - 12:00 Coffee/Tea Break hosted by South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC)
12:00 − 13:30
 		 Theme 6: Human Capacity Building
(1 hr 30 mins)
  The Abstract: The Forum would examine the mechanisms and options to develop the necessary policy, regulatory, technical and managerial skills that would meet the ICT human capacity building needs in the Pacific; a requirement central to meeting the connectivity targets.

The initiatives may include developing the capabilities of existing regional telecommunications/ICT organizations / related education/training institutions or establishing mechanisms that could serve as regional Centres of Excellence offering sustainable training and education opportunities.
 
  Moderator: Mr. Richard Brown, Director, Regional Cooperation Section, International Branch, Department of Broadband, Communications & the Digital Economy, Australia
Co Moderator: Ms. Natasha Beschorner, Senior ICT Policy Specialist, The World Bank
13:30 - 15:00 Lunch Break
15:00 − 16:30 Pre-Ministerial Roundtable on Communiqué (closed session)
16:30 - 17:00 Coffee/Tea Break hosted by Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC)
17:00 − 18:00 (continuing) Pre-Ministerial Roundtable on Communiqué (closed session)
19:00 Dinner hosted by Digicel (Tonga) Limited at Kaati ni Restaurant
   
Thursday 19 February 2009
09:00 - 09:30 Opening Session
  • Rev. Tevita Mone
     
  • Mr. Sami Al-Basheer Al-Morshid (download Opening Remarks)
    Director, ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT)
     
  • Hon. Jim Marurai
    Prime Minister, Cook Islands
     
  • Opening Remarks:
    Hon. Dr. Feleti Vaka'uta Sevele
    Prime Minister and Minister for Communications, Kingdom of Tonga
09:30 - 10:30 Ministerial Roundtable 1: Affordable Accessibility in the Pacific
  Moderator: Mr. Henao Iduhu, Acting Secretary, Department of Communication and Information,
Papua New Guinea

 Mr. Frank Conroy March, Senior Specialist Advisor, Digital Development, Energy & Communications, Ministry of Economic Development, New Zealand

Panellists:

  • Hon. Dr. Feleti Vaka'uta Sevele
     Prime Minister, Kingdom of Tonga

  • Hon. Patrick Tammur
     Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Papua New Guinea (Biodata)

  • Hon. Taukelina Finikaso
    Minister for Communications, Transport & Tourism, Tuvalu (Biodata)
10:30 - 11:00 Coffee/Tea Break hosted by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
11:00 - 12:00 Ministerial Roundtable 2: Enabling Environment
  Moderator: Mr. Alfred Soakai, Deputy Secretary, Department of Communications, Kingdom of Tonga

Panellists:

  • Hon. Temate Ereateiti Kateintenang
     Minister for Communications, Transport & Tourism, Kiribati (Biodata)

  • Hon. Safuneituuga Paaga Neri
     Minister for Communications  and Information Technology, Samoa (Biodata)

  • Hon. Sprent Dabwido
     Minister for Transport & Telecommunications, Nauru (Biodata)
12:00 - 14:00 Lunch Break hosted by Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association (PITA)
14:00 - 15:00 Ministerial Roundtable 3: ICT Applications and Cybersecurity
  Moderator: Mr. Wilson Vuti, Director General, Ministry of Infrastructure & Public Utilities, Vanuatu

Panellists:

  • Hon. Jim Marurai
    Prime Minister, Cook Islands (Biodata)

  • Hon. Francis I. Itimai
     Secretary (Minister) for Transportation, Communications & Infrastructure, Federated States of Micronesia (Biodata)

  • Mr. Colin Oliver
     Asst. Secretary, Department of Broadband Communications and the Digital Economy, Govt. of Australia (Biodata)
15:00 - 16:00 Ministerial Roundtable 4: Emergency Communications and Disaster Relief/Climate Change
  Moderator: Mr. Tua'imalo Asamu Ah Sam, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Samoa

Panellists:

  • Hon. Varian Lonamei
     Minister for Communication &   Aviation, Solomon Islands (Biodata)

  • Hon. Jackson R. Ngiraingas
     Minister for Public Infrastructure, Industries & Commerce, Palau

  • Mr. Frank Conroy March
     Senior Specialist Advisor, Digital Development, Energy & Communications Ministry of Economic Development, New Zealand (Biodata)
16:00 - 16:30 Coffee/Tea Break hosted by Cobham Satcom
16:30 - 17:30 Ministerial Roundtable 5: Human Capacity Building
  Moderator: Mr. Richard Brown,  Director, Regional Cooperation Section, International Branch, Department of Broadband, Communications & the Digital Economy, Australia

Panellists:

  • Hon. Serge Vohor
     Minister for Infrastructures & Public Utilities, Vanuatu (Biodata)

  • Hon. Dennis F. Momotaro
     Minister for Transportation & Communications, Marshall Islands (Biodata)

  • Hon. Pokotoa Sipeli
     Minister for Telecommunications, Government of Niue
19:00 Gala Dinner and Launch of Initiatives hosted by the Department of Communications, Kingdom of Tonga
   
Friday 20 February 2009
09:00 - 10:00 Presentation of Communiqué
10:00 - 10:30 Coffee/Tea Break hosted by TongaSat
10:30 - 11:30 Adoption of Communiqué
11:30 - 12:00 Closing of Forum

Mr. Sami Al-Basheer Al-Morshid (download Closing Remakrs)
Director, ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT)



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Meeting Details  

Date: 17-20 February 2009
Location: Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Organiser: The Ministerial Forum is organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Host: The Ministerial Forum is kindly hosted by the Kingdom of Tonga through the Department of Communication, Prime Minister's Office

Meeting Documents

 

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