THE enhancement of bilateral collaboration in digital transformation, telecommunications reform and cybersecurity was top on the discussion agenda during the high-level breakfast meeting yesterday between Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Communications Manoa Kamikamica and his New Zealand counterpart Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Justice, Media and Communications, and Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Paul Goldsmith.
The meeting took place in Suva following the 2nd Pacific ICT Ministers Dialogue.
During his meeting with Mr Goldsmith, Mr Kamikamica highlighted Fiji’s significant digital progress, including the recent launch of the National Digital Strategy 2025–2030, which sets out a bold roadmap for positioning Fiji as a leading digital economy in the region, the ministry said in a statement.
“DPM Kamikamica also acknowledged New Zealand’s valued support, particularly during the establishment of Fiji CERT, including technical scoping and job design,” the ministry stated.
“Both leaders agreed to explore deeper institutional cooperation between Fiji CERT and NZ CERT. Discussions between both Ministers covered Fiji’s upcoming telecommunications regulatory reforms, with Mr Kamikamica welcoming the chance to learn from New Zealand’s recently launched regulatory framework.
“Areas for collaboration include policy alignment, monitoring and evaluation, and capacity building.”
Mr Kamikamica also noted that Cabinet has endorsed Fiji’s National 5G Strategy, which includes plans for spectrum assignment and a 5G Network Security Policy.
“He further shared that the National Cybersecurity and Resilience Policy will soon be released, backed by a detailed implementation plan to protect critical infrastructure.”
The one-day 2nd Pacific ICT Ministers Dialogue was held at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva and attended by Pacific Ministers and development partners including the Asia-Pacific
Telecommunity (APT), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Global System for Mobile Association (GSMA) and private sector stakeholders to advance digital transformation initiatives across the Pacific region.