In-depth Information Session on the Smart Villages and Smart Islands (SVSI) Asia-Pacific Project for Group 1 (Phase II Implementation), 10 June 2026
Meeting background and information
The ITU Smart Villages and Smart Islands (SVSI) initiative seeks to transform rural and remote communities by improving livelihoods and well-being through enhanced access to digitally enabled services.
To support this objective, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), with financial support from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts (DITRDCSA) of the Government of Australia, is implementing the project “Enhancing the Sustainability of Smart Villages and Smart Islands in the Asia-Pacific".
Building on lessons learned and best practices from Phase I of the SVSI initiative, the project aims to strengthen national sustainability and governance frameworks through a whole-of-government and multi-stakeholder partnership approach, while supporting the scale-up and replication of successful models.
Following the Project Steering Committee (PSC) Inception Meeting held on 24 April 2026, which formally launched the project, confirmed governance arrangements and identified key next steps including coordination mechanisms, focal points, and implementation priorities, ITU will convene a series of in-depth sessions with participating countries.
In this context, this in-depth information session for Group 1 countries (Phase II implementation) was organized to the planning and implementation of Phase I project activities in the respective countries, building on country experience and lessons learned from Phase I. This session aimed to focus on the practical, step-by-step implementation of Phase II, what is expected of the focal points and what ITU can offer in the course of implementation.
Objectives of the session
The session aimed to:
- Provide a detailed and practical walkthrough of the Phase II implementation approach (2026–2027),
- Clarify step-by-step activities, expected outputs, timelines, and reporting requirements,
- Confirm roles and responsibilities of ITU and participating countries, including focal points and coordination mechanisms,
- Support countries in reviewing Phase I achievements and lessons learned to inform scale-up strategies,
- Identify national priorities, partnership opportunities, and support required from ITU and partners, and
- Facilitate alignment across participating countries to ensure coherent, coordinated, and results-oriented implementation.
Expected Outcomes
The session was expected to achieve the following:- Alignment on the Phase II planning and implementation framework and process.
- Confirmation or update of national focal points and coordination arrangements.
- Agreement on priority activities and indicative timelines for 2026.
- Improved understanding of country roles in scaling up SVSI initiatives.
- Identification of key partners, resources, and support need.
- Strengthened readiness of participating countries to transition from pilot implementation to sustainability and scale-up.
Target participants
Group 1 countries (Phase II implementation): Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Tonga.
Relevant ministries, national focal points, implementing partners, and stakeholders.
ITU (implementing agency).
DITRDCSA (Australia), as project partner.
Date and time: Wednesday, 10 June 2026 at 09:00-10:00 (GMT+7) Bangkok time
Format: Online (via Zoom meeting)
Project webpage
For more information, please visit the project webpage at https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/ICT-Applications/Pages/Initiatives/ASP/Smart-Islands/Enhancing-sustainability-of-SVSI-ASP.aspx
Please also explore the Smart Villages and Smart Islands website at https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/ICT-Applications/Pages/Initiatives/ASP/Smart-Islands/Smart-Islands-Initiative.aspx