e-TALANOA www.spc.int Issue 2 — 2010 elcome to the second edition of e-talanoa. WThe first edition focused on the outcomes of the Pacific ICT Ministers meeting (2010) and the endorsed Framework for Action on ICT for Development in the Pacific (ICT framework). In this edition, we provide an update on the efforts in implementing the ministerial decisions and some key developments in the ICT sector in the Pacific region. As you may know, the ICT framework outlines seven themes for action aimed at effectively utilising ICT for sustainable development, governance, and improving the livelihood of Pacific communities. From this edition onward, we will report back on the efforts in implementing the ICT framework under the seven themes of the ICT framework. This should make it easier to relate and link activities to individual strategies within a theme and in particular to measure the progress against identified milestones and targets. In this issue Internet Pacific represented Update on the e-PIC: portal for governance and at the ITU’s 18th implementation of Pacific ICT ICT policy Plenipotentiary Ministers decisions information workshop Conference and more ... Produced by: Pacific ICT Outreach Programme, Economic Development Division, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Suva, Fiji e-TALANOA — Issue 2 From PICTO On 16-17 June 2010 in Tonga, the Pacific Decision: ‘Support the proposal to ICT officials and other stakeholders organise a Regional Internet Governance considered the review of the Pacific Forum (IGF) in the Pacific in 2011’ Contents Regional Digital Strategy that was done by the Forum Secretariat in collaboration SPC, jointly with other partners Welcome................................................... 1 with Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience including ICANN, InternetNZ, .asia, Commission (SOPAC) and the ISOC, have formed a working group From PICTO............................................... 2 Secretariat of the Pacific Community to organise the Pacific IGF tentatively (SPC). They also considered various scheduled for 9-10 April 2011 in Leadership, governance, coordination interventions and projects that were Noumea, New Caledonia. Furthermore, and partnerships..................................... 3 grouped under the seven themes of the SPC, ITU (through ICB4PAC), then proposed ICT framework: Diplo, ACP, Cook Islands and the Fiji ICT policy, legislation and government organised two internet regulatory frameworks............................ 4 1. Leadership, governance, governance workshops in August and ICT human capacity building................. 6 coordination and partnerships September this year. These workshops provided good opportunities to raise ICT infrastructure and access................. 11 2. ICT policy, legislation and awareness about IGF and offered an regulatory frameworks opportunity to prepare for the Pacific International connectivity...................... 12 IGF next year. 3. ICT human capacity building Cyber security and ICT applications...... 13 Decision: ‘recognising the resource 4. ICT infrastructure and access Financing, monitoring and evaluation. 15 constraint that PICTs faced in 5. International connectivity participating in these meetings; request Upcoming Events..................................... 16 6. Cyber security and ICT that SPC participate at global fora such applications as Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) and the Internet Governance 7. Financing, monitoring and Forums (IGF)’ evaluation Again in response to the decision made The draft ICT framework and a by ICT ministers, SPC and PICISOC number of recommendations were were represented at ICANN’s 39th e-Talanoa then forwarded to the Pacific ICT international meeting in Cartagena, ministers for consideration. On 18 Columbia on 4-10 December 2010, The name of the newsletter ‘e-talanoa’ came June 2010, the ministers endorsed the where SPC also attended the GAC from merging the word ‘talanoa’, which ICT framework as a new roadmap for meeting. This ensured that Pacific issues largely means talking / communicating / ICT development and a key tool for were tabled and SPC and PICISOC were sustainable development, governance, better equipped to provide informed sharing in most Pacific languages, with ‘e’ and improving the livelihood of Pacific advice to their respective membership. denoting electronic. E-talanoa encapsulates communities. Apart from endorsing the We would like to acknowledge the the convergence of the traditional and ICT framework, the ministers endorsed support by ICANN for enabling the modern means of communication and a number of key decisions. An update PICISOC and SPC to participate. sharing of ideas and news. on the progress in implementing some of these key decisions is as follows: Decision: ‘Urge national, regional and international agencies to collaborate Decision: ‘Noting the importance of better and ensure there is greater being engaged in ICT and ICTs cross- information sharing to promote effective In summary, SPC, USP and other sectoral issues’ coordination to reduce duplication and development partners are actively wastage of already limited resources, addressing the issues identified in the In response, SPC, through the Pacific and in doing so to coordinate with Tonga Declaration. The most important ICT Outreach Programme (PICTO), SPC regarding ICT development in the work now is planning for the Pacific joint has been actively engaging some of region’ ministerial meeting on 4-8 April 2011 in the key sectors in Pacific countries Noumea, New Caledonia. One of the key including policy making bodies (PPAC In response, SPC has participated in deliverables to be tabled at the ministerial and CRGA), agriculture (HoGF), several forums including CTA’s workplan will be the implementation plan of the education, and maritime (PacMA) - development workshop, UN APCICT ICT framework. SPC is currently working as briefly outlined in the next section. Partners meeting, APT CyberSecurity with partners on the implementation These engagements are key to adopting forum, UNESCAP Expert Group plan. a holistic approach to development. It Meeting and Committee on ICT, and th opens up possibilities of collaboration ICANN’s 39 Meeting. Furthermore, * Photo on cover page courtesy of SOPAC and cooperation especially in utilising the ICT framework was presented and ICT effectively in these sectors. mechanisms for collaboration and coordination were discussed. 2 e-TALANOA — Issue 2 Leadership, governance, coordination and partnershipsICT As highlighted in the ICT framework meeting in Vanuatu. The education :‘Strong leadership with appropriate sector is a key governance mechanisms are needed This is important as the ICT framework sector. USP, in to ensure that the benefits of ICT are was developed in response to Forum partnership with fully realised and contribute to the Leaders directives through the Cairn SPC, presented livelihood of the people of the Pacific. Communiqué 2009. a joint paper Better coordination of ICT interventions on the need to is needed to ensure that efforts are not The ICT framework was further seriously explore how ICT can assist duplicated and that limited resources are presented and discussed at the Fourth the challenges faced by this key sector. wisely utilised’. Regional Meeting of the Heads of Agriculture and Forestry Services More importantly, the paper highlighted (HOAFS) held from 14–17 September the need for a multi-stakeholder 2010 in Nadi, Fiji Islands with special approach and recommended the focus on e-Agriculture. establishment of an ICT for Education Working Group. Agriculture faces many challenges such as lack of access to information and services, lack of market access, lack of extension staff, and remoteness of some of the agricultural communities. ICT can contribute to addressing these challenges as discussed in the article, Pacific agriculture and forestry leaders Lack of coordination and collaboration encouraged to embrace ‘e-agriculture’. has been identified as a major challenge that needs to be addressed to ensure effective utilisation of the limited This recommendation was duly resources available to the ICT sector. endorsed by the Forum Education Even with the development of the ICT Ministers in Port Moresby, PNG on sector as a key focus area, the recurring 13-14 October 2010 showing their premise of the ICT framework is recognition of the key role of ICT effective utilisation of ICT as a tool for in supporting and developing the development. education sector. As such, SPC and development partners adopted a cross-sectoral approach focusing on raising awareness of benefits, and risks, of ICT in priority sectors. The ICT framework was further Multi-sectoral approach presented to the Fourteenth Meeting of the Pacific Islands Maritime Association SPC, in partnership with development (PacMA) from 20–23 September 2010 partners, tabled the ICT Framework SPC, through its Pacific ICT Outreach in Nadi, Fiji. for consideration by Programme, intends to continue the Pacific Plan Action liaising and collaborating with these Some key areas were discussed such sectors as well as others such as health, Committee (PPAC) as electronic payments, scheduling, and consequently the disaster risk reduction and disaster tracking containers and the need for management, and climate change. Pacific Forum Leaders business continuity plan and sharing in their August information via websites. 3 e-TALANOA — Issue 2 ICT policy, legislation and regulatory frameworks Internet governance and information and communications