PacINET is the annual gathering of ICT experts organised by PICISOC.

Some 200 delegates are currently in Honiara attending the meeting being held at the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) conference centre from the 14th to 21st August, with the theme ‘National ICT Strategy Building’.

Forum Secretary General, Greg Urwin, says supporting such initiatives is in line with the Pacific Regional Digital Strategy of the Pacific Plan.

“The Digital Strategy seeks social and economic empowerment for Pacific islanders, as well as a solution to the ‘tyranny of distance’ to realise the potential of ICTs,” remarks Mr Urwin. “I wish our region’s ICT Regulators, as well as the main PacINET meeting a fruitful and productive outcome.”

Forum Secretariat Economic Infrastructure Adviser, John Budden, says the ICT Regulators’ Forum was aimed at providing participants with a perspective on major issues and Internet developments that have significant implications on their work.

“The ICT Regulators’ Forum was convened in conjunction with PacINET 2007 to expose the region’s policy makers to pertinent issues affecting the industry at the national, regional and international levels,” says Mr Budden.

“We hope that it will assist participants to best advise their Governments on important ICT developments in order to actively take their countries’ forward.”

PICISOC Chair, Rajnesh Singh, points out that technology is advancing at such a rapid pace that all key players need to be kept abreast of developments.

He adds: “Being close to issues at hand is in everyone’s interest really – governments, communities, users, private sector, service-providers. It will also be important to receive feedback from the region’s ICT policy-makers on issues they feel affect them the most. We hope to consequently build our region’s capacity to contribute at the international level.”

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