Minister for Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Timothy Masiu has acknowledged the successful outcome of the recently concluded the second ICT Minister’s Dialogue in Suva, Fiji. “I am hugely satisfied with Papua New Guinea retaining the Chairmanship of this important regional undertaking. This signifies a very, very successful outcome of our Ministers’ Dialogue.” “I am equally impressed with and acknowledge the leadership provided by Caretaker Minister for ICT, Peter Tsiamalili at the Dialogue.” “At very short notice, Minister Tsiamalili was able to take stewardship on my behalf and maintain our collective objective of the Dialogue, of ensuring ICT takes its rightful place in the future development and growth of our Blue Pacific.” Minister Masiu, who is currently on medical leave, also thanked the Secretary for ICT, Steven Matainaho and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA), Kila Gulo-Vui, for providing all secretariat and logistics support and arrangements for all the Pacific ICT Ministers and senior officers for the Suva meeting. “It took our senior PNG officials several months to put into place all the agendas and logistical and administrative arrangements for our Suva meeting, and I also commend the leadership and guidance of Secretary Matainaho and CEO Gulo-Vui.” He said he is also quite pleased with the higher level regional political representation for the Dialogue going forward. “I congratulate Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji and Minister for Trade, Cooperatives, Small & Medium Enterprises and Communications, Manoa Kamikamica for assuming Vice Chairmanship of the Dialogue.” Minister Masiu further congratulated the Minister for Justice, Communications and Foreign Affairs of Tuvalu, Simon Kofe for his appointment as the other Vice Chairman of the Dialogue. Furthermore, he stated that for now he wants to see that the Secretariat and senior officials must commence planning for the next meeting. “It is my view that taking our Dialogue to a smaller Island nation would demonstrate to our people that, while our individual development goals and challenges may be on differing scales, we have a common and powerful tool at our disposal; the utilisation of ICT to mitigate or minimise many of them.”