---

FSM Delegation Attends ITU Pacific ICT Ministerial Forum in Tonga

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): March 4, 2009 - The Honorable FSM Secretary of Transportation, Communication and Infrastructure, Mr. Francis Itimai, and his Assistant Secretary for the Division of Communication, Mr. Jolden Johnnyboy, recently attended the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Pacific ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Ministerial Forum that was hosted by the Kingdom of Tonga with the theme of "Connecting the Unconnected". The Forum was attended by thirteen Ministers and two Prime Ministers from the Pacific Islands Forum Countries including ICT Officials and delegates who accompanied the Ministers. Mr. Sami Al Basheer Al Morshid, Director of the ITU Telecommunications Development Bureau (TDB), also attended as well as 17 partners ranging from UN ESCAP sub-regional and regional organizations, funding agencies, national security agencies, private industries from various regions, NGO's and academic players through public-private partnerships.

During the forum, the ITU inaugurated, signed and announced various partnership initiatives. From the joint Communiqué, the objective of the Forum was to, "provide Forum Island Countries and other stakeholders and partners with a platform for improving access and adoption of the ICT in the Pacific Region through various projects, initiatives and commitments, in particular an objective was to advance specific initiatives in the Pacific Region, including the Digital strategy and the Wellington Declaration, to meet the 2015 Millennium Development Goals of making available the benefits of new technologies, especially information and communication technologies to all."

During the Forum, the FSM Delegation also held several bi-lateral meetings with the Director of ITU TDB, Marketing Representatives of O3b Satellite Operators, the Project Director for the RICS Projects, Mr. Ian Thomson, Digital Pacific Tonga, and with the other Ministers from RMI and RoP.

The joint Communique from this Forum is to be circulated to all Forum Island Leaders and the items within it will be brought to the table for discussion and endorsement at the next Pacific Island Forum Leader's meeting in Australia later this year.