Across the Pacific Ocean, island nations are bridging the digital divide and bringing their communities closer together. In June 2025, representatives from nine Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) — Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Palau — came together in Koror, Palau, for a regional workshop on Promoting and Measuring Universal and Meaningful Connectivity (UMC).
Over three days, policymakers, statisticians, regulators, and telecom operators worked side by side to explore how data and digital inclusion can drive more resilient and equitable societies. From sharing national experiences to unpacking indicators that measure connectivity, the conversations revealed a shared vision: a digitally inclusive Pacific where no one is left offline.
The workshop was organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Bureau of Communications of Palau, with financial support from the European Union and the UN Joint SDG Fund — whose contribution is helping ensure that digital transformation becomes an enabler of sustainable development for all.
“Small Island Developing States in the Pacific face distinct challenges due to geographic isolation, small populations, and vulnerability to climate change. Reliable connectivity is crucial for economic development, disaster resilience and access to essential services,” said Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau at ITU.
“Achieving universal and meaningful connectivity is imperative. My sincere thanks to Palau, as the newest ITU Member State, for hosting this impactful event.”
Through interactive discussions and group exercises, participants explored practical ways to integrate UMC principles into national digital strategies and policies, from improving data systems to addressing gaps in access, affordability, and inclusion.
“The detailed presentations and the stories behind the numbers really stood out,” said Mr. Warren Suti, Principal Project Engineer at the National Information and Communication Technology Authority of Papua New Guinea. “Broader collaboration is essential to gain support from key stakeholders. The narratives behind the data truly resonated with me.”
These capacity-building efforts are part of a broader movement to make connectivity meaningful. They strengthen the ability of governments to design evidence-based digital policies and ensure that every island, every village, and every person can benefit from the opportunities of the digital age.
The initiative will continue through upcoming regional workshops in Africa — beginning with Portuguese-speaking countries in November 2025, followed by French- and English-speaking sessions in 2026 — extending this global momentum toward a future where digital inclusion is a reality for all.
Original publication: https://www.itu.int/itu-d/sites/digital-impact-unlocked/small-island-developing-states-in-the-pacific-reconfirm-their-commitment-to-advancing-universal-and-meaningful-connectivity/
Note:
All joint programmes of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.
