Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has urged members of the Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association (PITA) to address the ongoing challenge of internet accessibility across the region.
Speaking during the official opening of PITA’s 29th Annual General Meeting, Business Forum, and Expo 2025 at the Aquatic Centre, King George Six on Monday evening, PM Manele said internet access remains a pressing issue globally and regionally.
“As we continue to discuss telecommunications and Information Communication Technologies (ICTs), let us be reminded that according to the International Telecommunication Union, under half of the world’s population still does not use the internet. This is a challenge not only for governments but also for all stakeholders in the telecommunications and ICT sector to address,” the Prime Minister emphasized.
He cited a recent United Nations report on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which identifies ICT and digital transformation as critical enablers of inclusive development.
“ICT and digital transformation are beacons of hope for the United Nations principle of ‘Leaving No One Behind’,” he stated. “This is particularly urgent for the Pacific Island region, where geographic scatteredness across a vast ocean space makes connectivity vital to development.”
PM Manele also praised PITA for exemplifying regional cooperation and collaboration in the communication sector.
“PITA’s AGM provides a platform for discussion and partnership among telecommunication entities in the Pacific. This includes government Telecom and ICT policy and regulatory agencies, associate members, and our regional development partners,” he said.
More than 280 delegates from over 100 organizations and more than 30 countries have gathered in Honiara for the event, which is being hosted by Solomon Telekom. Themed “Digital Nations and Smart Blue Continent: Strengthening the Digital Sovereignty, Connectivity and Resilience for the Pacific Future,” this year’s gathering underscores the importance of ICT in shaping resilient and connected island nations.
Over the next three days, participants will engage in high-level discussions on digital infrastructure, investment gaps, cybersecurity, submarine cables, AI, 5G, cloud computing, trusted networks, and the future of the internet in the Pacific.
PITA continues to play a pivotal role as a regional telecommunications association, committed to promoting and advancing communication services across its member and associate member countries.
- OPMC
