The inaugural 2023 Korea-Pacific Islands Summit included the Pacific Islands Digital Ministerial Conference, which was held in Seoul on May 31st – June 1st with the goal of enhancing cooperation with the Pacific Islands countries (PICs), particularly in the digital sector. A robust relationship for digital co-prosperity is to be established as a result of the discussion on policy goals between the digital ministers of Korea and the Pacific Islands countries.
Jason Allford, Special Representative for the World Bank in Korea, and Zaki B. Khoury, Senior Digital Development Specialist and Lead for the Korea Digital Development Program (KoDi), emphasized the need for cooperation with PICs to assist their path towards digital transformation. Mr. Khoury presented several routes for attaining digital inclusion, boosting digital competencies, and bolstering digital resilience in the area. He went into further depth on the tools the World Bank team uses to support these initiatives, such as technical support and knowledge-sharing.
The conference continued with a dual-thematic approach, creating the groundwork for a digital government and enhancing digital infrastructure, particularly broadband access. The earlier subject focused on how improved connectivity may open doors for PICs to capitalize on digital benefits, such as growth, jobs, and services. The latter focused on the goal of creating a linked digital platform government (DPG), which was intended to improve how services were provided to individuals and organizations.
ICT ministers and decision-makers from Korea, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Australia were among the conference's varied group of attendees.
Zaki B. Khoury, Senior Digital Development Specialist at the World Bank and Lead for the Korea Digital Development Program (KoDi), provides a keynotes speech at the Korea-Pacific Islands Digital Ministerial Conference. Photos: Courtesy of Korea-Pacific Islands Summit’s Digital Ministerial Conference secretariat
Participants of the Korea-Pacific Islands Digital Ministerial Conference. Photos: Courtesy of Korea-Pacific Islands Summit’s Digital Ministerial Conference secretariat