Address by Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Acting Director of Policy,
Mr Joel Nilon
At the opening session of the Women in Tech Conference
Friday 1 December 2023
Yadra Vinaka and good morning, all protocols observed.
At the outset, I wish to thank the organisers for the opportunity to provide a few opening remarks from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
This morning I want to share a little about two high level regional commitments that members of my team have worked on, and which Leaders recently endorsed: these are the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and its Implementation Plan, and the revitalised Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration (and I believe there are some copies of these two documents floating around for anyone who is interested).
Firstly, on the 2050 Strategy – this is the region’s high level, long-term strategic policy framework and it outlines our collective approach to address regional issues and make the most of the common opportunities we share as Pacific countries and economies. Its vision is for a resilient Pacific Region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion, and prosperity, that ensures all Pacific peoples can lead free, healthy, and productive lives.
At the 53rd Pacific Island Forum Leaders meeting held a few weeks ago, Forum Leaders endorsed the Implementation Plan for the 2050 Strategy – setting out clear goals, outcomes and regional actions that we will take to achieve our long-term ambitions. Let me just say that the role of women, the role of technology, and the role of women in technology are all clear focus areas in the 2050 Strategy.
Secondly, and with regards to the revitalised Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration (PLGED), also adopted by Leaders in Cook Islands a few weeks ago, this is something that I am particularly proud of and it speaks to the importance that is increasingly and rightfully placed on accelerating the status of women and girls, in all their diversity, both here in Fiji and across our wider Pacific region.
There was a process to revitalise this declaration that began in September 2022 and involved eight months of consultations with all 18 Forum Member countries. And the focus now turns to strengthening the governance and visibility of the declaration with our governments and our people more generally.
Let me also note that during the consultations, members recognized the importance of women and girls in STEM and the role that ICT can play in development. There was also the recognition of access to technology and its detrimental effects, in particular online harassment, cyberbullying, and cybercrime. A common discussion point was the need for online safety and security for women and children.
Members of the Forum have recognised these issues and dynamics also, and Ministers for ICT from across the Pacific region issued the Lagatoi Declaration on Digital Transformation in the Pacific earlier this year.
Through that Declaration, Forum Members acknowledge the challenges we face in developing ICT that is suitable for the age we live in, but more importantly, they highlight the commitment to work together, as a united Blue Pacific Continent, to address those challenges.
So, within this context, let me say that this gathering is timely, as it brings together critical cross-cutting issues related to women and technology including women’s leadership, the economic empowerment of women, gender-based violence, and ICT and its associated positive and negative impacts.
Pacific women and girls have made remarkable strides in the tech industry, and their contributions to the development of the sector have spurred an increase in education and careers in many tech-related fields. Breaking barriers and challenging gender norms are often associated with women and girls in this field, and this is something that must be regularly celebrated.
I’m sure that this diversity and inclusion is a welcome addition to the industry, and it is well known that the empowerment of women and girls doesn’t just benefit them – it generally allows everyone around them to benefit and to grow as well.
So, on that note I wish to thank you all for being here and for sharing your expertise and knowledge. I trust that the symposium will provides all of us the opportunity to build and strengthen our networks and to produce information and outcomes that continue to enrich and strengthen the industry and of course our lives more broadly.
Vinaka.
