By Office of International and Public Affairs
Photo: International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
With digital transformation a top priority for isolated Pacific-island nations, the Asian Institute of Technology was invited by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to join its Workshop on Digital Transformation for the Pacific in Suva, Fiji from 12 -14 February 2025.
Organized in collaboration with the Government of Fiji, and supported by Australian Government’s Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts and the Joint SDG Fund, the three-day event brought together members of ITU, regional partners, donor agencies, academia, government officials and policy makers.
Over 50 attendees representing a number of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) of the Pacific joined to exchange knowledge and evaluate best practices and strategies for accelerating digital transformation.
According to ITU, the workshop aligned with global and regional frameworks, including the ITU Strategic Plan, the Pacific ICT Ministerial 2023 Lagatoi Declaration, and the UN SDCF Pacific 2024. Discussions focused on national digital strategies, ITU digital government initiatives like GovStack, cybersecurity as well as emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
A highlight was a presentation of a telecommunication / ICT needs study for the Pacific. The report provided data-driven insights to guide future policies and allowed ITU members to gather inputs and discuss the way forward. Discussions at the workshop also contributed to preparations for the upcoming World Telecommunication Development Conference in 2025.
Ms. Atsuko Okuda, ITU Regional Director.
Photo: Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs and Communications. Fiji
ITU Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Dr. Atsuko Okuda emphasized how the Pacific is witnessing transformative digital change. She stated that the workshop was an opportunity to take stock of the region’s achievements, address persistent challenges, and chart the way forward, ensuring that no one in the Pacific is left behind in the digital era.
The regional director said a key aim for the meeting was to allow members and partners to share experiences on digital transformation in the Pacific facilitated by the Joint Programmes (SDG Fund, European Union-funded programme for Support to Rural Entrepreneurship, Investment and Trade-EU-STREIT) and projects supported by DITRDCA and the Asian Development Bank.
A key takeaway from the workshop was the importance of a whole-of-government approach to digital governance, where seamless coordination between government agencies aids inclusive digitalization, ITU organizers said.
Dr. Chaklam Silpasuwanchai, Assistant Professor in the Department of Information and Communication Technologies and Co-founder of AI Brain Lab, represented AIT by presenting his work on emerging artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies at a session on deploying emerging technologies for digital transformation.
The A.I. expert’s lecture resonated with attendees by showcasing real-world use cases, illustrating how these technologies can be harnessed for public sector innovation and infrastructure development.
Dr. Chaklam provided perspectives on the application of A.I. blockchain, and digital identities to drive sustainable progress. Emphasizing the ethical and responsible use of technology, he outlined practical approaches for risk management, satellite imagery applications, usage of agent-based A.I., and the potential of digital twins to enhance decision-making processes. He also shared how colleagues and researchers at AIT have been actively contributing to these fields with examples of innovative solutions and interdisciplinary collaborations.
“The adoption of A.I. and blockchain must be accompanied by robust management frameworks to ensure transparency, security, and long-term benefits for society,” Dr. Chaklam explained.
Dr. Chaklam addresses the workshop.
According to Ms. Danielle Duan of the Office of International and Public Affairs, AIT’s inclusion in the event speaks to the institute’s ever evolving academic collaboration with ITU, which began in 2021 for supporting the capacity building of digitally divided and disconnected communities.
“As a social impact focused institute, AIT’s rich experience on applied technologies and solutions can contribute to the well being of people in the region, even as far away as countries in the Pacific,” Ms. Duan said.
