Australia and Papua New Guinea renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) this week.

The MoU initially signed in 2020, aims to facilitate the digital economy, ensure digital safety, and enhance capacity in Papua New Guinea's ICT sector. The MoU enables collaboration between Australia and Papua New Guinea, providing a framework for government agencies to work together and share practical experiences to harness the benefits of digital connectivity. It also establishes annual meetings to discuss telecommunications issues and priorities of both countries. The earlier arrangement under the MoU has already facilitated engagement with Papua New Guinean counterparts on various telecommunications matters, such as consumer protections, broadcasting/media, spectrum management, and carrier licensing.

Papua New Guinea has taken a lead role in the Pacific region in promoting shared ICT priorities. In 2023, the country hosted the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Policy and Regulatory Forum for the Pacific and the Pacific ICT Ministers' Dialogue, where the Lagatoi Declaration on Digital Transformation of the Pacific was signed.

Why does it matter?

The two countries aim to enable the digital economy through collaborative efforts, ensure digital safety, and enhance capacity in Papua New Guinea's ICT sector. With annual meetings and engagement on telecommunications matters, they can address shared priorities and leverage the benefits of digital connectivity. Papua New Guinea's leadership and Australia's commitment further underline their dedication to ICT development in the region.