ITU Regional Director Highlights Papua New Guinea’s Digital Transformation Journey

Atsuko Okuda, Regional Director of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Asia-Pacific Office, has commended Papua New Guinea’s strong commitment to digital transformation, describing it as a people-centered and inclusive journey that is already delivering tangible benefits across the country.

Speaking virtually from Baku, Azerbaijan, where she was attending the World Telecommunication Development Conference, Okuda praised the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) for convening the Digital Transformation Summit 2025. She noted that PNG has laid a solid foundation through the Digital Transformation Policy (2020), the Digital Government Act (2022), and the Digital Government Plan (2023), which collectively signal a forward-looking vision for a connected, citizen-centric public sector.

Okuda explained that ITU has been supporting PNG through initiatives such as the GoBSpack program, which strengthens institutional and individual capacity to implement digital identity, data exchange, and payment systems. She emphasized that digital transformation is not just about technology, but about fostering a culture of digital leadership and integrated service delivery that places citizens at the center.

Highlighting concrete examples, she pointed to the EU-funded STRAIGHT Program in the Sepik region, which has expanded digital infrastructure and skills for rural communities. Farmers now access digital advisory services, cooperatives use online tools to strengthen market linkages, SMEs benefit from e-commerce platforms, and women and youth-led enterprises are being trained to leverage digital tools for income generation. Similarly, the Smart Villages and Smart Islands initiative in Maprik district is helping rural communities access digital services in health, education, agriculture, and disaster preparedness.

Okuda also underscored the importance of inclusivity, citing ITU’s Girls in ICT Day program in PNG, which equips young women and girls with skills in coding, cybersecurity, robotics, and AI, while connecting them with mentors and industry role models. She stressed that investing in girls today ensures PNG’s innovation ecosystem remains competitive tomorrow.

Reaffirming ITU’s commitment, Okuda said the organization will continue to support PNG in realizing the Lagatoi Declaration, strengthening capacity building at national and sub-national levels, and expanding partnerships with academia, private sector, and civil society. She expressed gratitude to donor partners including Australia, Japan, the European Union, the Asian Development Bank, and UN agencies for their support.

“Digital transformation must be people-centered, inclusive, and sustainable,” Okuda concluded. “Together we can ensure that it not only drives economic growth, but also strengthens trust, resilience, and opportunities for everyone, leaving no one behind.”