Fiji hosts inaugural Pacific Fiber and Training Conference as digital roadmap gains momentum
The inaugural two-day Pacific Fiber and Training Conference unfolded at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa in Denarau, marking a milestone in the region’s push to chart a robust digital roadmap. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications Manoa Kamikamica lauded Telecom Fiji Ltd for leading the charge in bringing the conference to Fiji’s shores, describing the event as a clear signal that the Pacific is ready to shape the next chapter of global connectivity.
Speaking to attendees, Kamikamica highlighted how the conference complements recent regional dialogues. He pointed to the Pacific ICT Ministers’ Dialogue, where the APAC Policy and Regulation Forum for the Pacific and the second ICT Ministers Dialogue were held, bringing together leaders to discuss regional ICT priorities and cooperation. He also noted the opening of Pacific Cyber Week, a platform dedicated to cybersecurity, digital resilience and related initiatives, which runs through Thursday and underlines the importance of capacity building in the digital arena.
The minister emphasized that the gathering sits within Fiji’s broader digital ambitions. Fiji launched its National Digital Strategy 2025–2030 earlier this year, a comprehensive roadmap built around five pillars, with the first two focusing on digital infrastructure and cyber resilience, and digital inclusion and empowerment. He underscored that the strategy aims to guide how Fiji plans, finances and delivers critical ICT projects so every investment contributes to inclusive and sustainable development. The goal, Kamikamica said, is a digitally empowered Fiji fully integrated into the global economy, with fast, resilient, inclusive and secure connectivity.
Context around the conference also reflects a wider push toward modernizing the Pacific’s digital landscape. Earlier events and initiatives, including discussions on fiber and satellite convergence, smart island solutions, and the integration of AI, 5G, cloud computing and cybersecurity, are part of the same momentum fueling the Pacific’s digital transformation. The government’s commitment to strengthening cybersecurity—such as ongoing work on a national cybersecurity strategy and the development of a national Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT)—also features prominently in these regional efforts.
In parallel with the conference themes, recent regional developments point to a stronger Fiji as a digital hub. The country’s digital agenda aligns with ongoing investments in low Earth orbit satellite connectivity and subsea cables that extend Fiji’s reach and resilience, reinforcing the region’s capacity to deliver faster and more reliable internet services essential for education, healthcare, commerce and disaster response. The gathering of policymakers, telecom leaders, investors and technology providers reiterates Fiji’s role in driving last-mile inclusion and regional collaboration.
Key takeaways from the event and its surrounding context include:
– A coordinated push to blend fiber with satellite and AI-enabled solutions to strengthen resilience and service delivery across the Pacific.
– An emphasis on turning regional cooperation into practical investments and deployments that reach underserved communities.
– A renewed focus on cybersecurity and capacity-building to safeguard digital growth as the region widens its online footprint.
Commentary and outlook:
The conference embodies a hopeful trajectory for the Pacific, with Fiji positioning itself as a regional digital hub through public-private collaboration, strategic investments, and forward-looking policies. If the National Digital Strategy’s targets—enhanced infrastructure, job creation, investment attraction and digital public services—are realized, the Pacific could see tangible benefits in education, health, commerce and everyday life, even in remote island communities.
In a broader sense, the event signals a shift from a dependence on traditional undersea cables toward integrated, inclusive connectivity that brings high-speed services closer to every community. With ongoing regional partnerships and continued emphasis on security and resilience, the Pacific is steering toward a more connected and prosperous future.
Overall, the Pacific Fiber and Training Conference reinforces Fiji’s leadership role in the region’s digital transformation and highlights a shared, positive path toward inclusive growth powered by cutting-edge technology and collaborative action.
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