PNG and Australia Set Direction for Five Decades of ICT Growth

 Improving internet access, strengthening telecommunications infrastructure and making digital services more affordable are among the priorities of a new long-term partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia.

The two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a Comprehensive Digital, Critical Technology and Telecommunications Partnership at APEC Haus in Port Moresby on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The signing took place during the 32nd Australia–PNG Ministerial Forum, establishing a framework for cooperation on the country’s digital development over the next 50 years.

From left to right: PNG Department of ICT Deputy Secretary for Policy and Emerging Technologies, Mr Flierl Shongol; ICT Minister Hon. Robert Naguri; PNG Foreign Minister Hon. Justin Tkatchenko; Australian Foreign Minister and Senator The Hon. Penny Wong; and Australian Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, Hon. Pat Conroy, following the successful signing of the ICT MoU/ Photo supplied

Information and Communications Technology Minister Robert Naguri said the agreement would help the governments work together to tackle challenges facing the sector while planning for the country’s future technology needs.

“This afternoon marks a very special occasion for us, going into signing this MOU between the Government of Papua New Guinea and the Government of Australia on developing ICT for the next 50 years in this country, going forward,” Mr Naguri said.

The minister said the MoU would bring existing areas of cooperation under a broader arrangement, allowing both countries to coordinate their efforts on telecommunications and related services.

PNG’s Department of Information and Communications Technology has already been engaging with Australian counterparts on infrastructure development, cybersecurity, digital safety and governance.

Work on the Telecommunications Blueprint is also continuing. The initiative was raised at the 31st Ministerial Forum in Canberra in October 2025 and is intended to provide direction for improvements across PNG’s telecommunications sector.

The blueprint focuses on identifying infrastructure and service gaps, including areas where communities struggle with weak network coverage or unreliable internet connections. Affordability and service reliability are also among the challenges that need to be addressed.

Australian Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy said work on the blueprint had moved beyond development towards implementation. He recognised Mr Naguri’s contribution to progressing the wider partnership.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said stronger connectivity could help businesses expand their operations while enabling communities to access essential services more effectively.

“Connectivity creates opportunity,” Senator Wong said.

Her comments reinforced the broader economic and social benefits that both governments expect from improved telecommunications access.

PNG Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko said the agreement would create opportunities for the two countries to share knowledge and improve the quality and cost of services available to Papua New Guineans.

The aim, he said, was to ensure telecommunications became more accessible to ordinary people and businesses.

“It’s about making telecommunication affordable for everyone,” Mr Tkatchenko said.

The signing comes after three years of negotiations and discussions between PNG and Australia. Attention will now turn to identifying practical activities under the agreement and establishing how the two governments will manage and coordinate the work.

Specific implementation dates and any new funding arrangements have yet to be made public.