Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa officially opened the 6th Pacific Internet Governance Forum (PIGF) in Apia today, welcoming delegates from across the region and the world to Samoa.
The forum, held from 2 to 3 July 2025, is organised by the Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society (PICISOC) in partnership with the Samoa Information Technology Association (SITA) and the Government of Samoa.
In her opening remarks, the Prime Minister acknowledged the wide range of participants—government representatives, civil society, academia, development partners, and private sector actors—who have gathered to discuss key challenges and opportunities for the Pacific in the digital space.
“This year again marks another milestone for Internet Governance in the Pacific Islands,” Fiamē said.
“Different stakeholders come together to discuss how to maximise the benefits and reduce the risks of the internet to our island nations.”
She noted the significance of the forum’s 2025 theme, Digital Inclusion and Safety, and its relevance to the Pacific context. While fast internet brings new opportunities for development, it also brings risks such as cybercrime, misinformation, and online harm.
“Digital inclusion means ensuring that our women, our youth, our persons with disabilities, and our elders can all benefit from the power of technology,” she said.
“At the same time, online safety is paramount.”
Fiamē also acknowledged the presence of ICT students from across the region who are attending the newly introduced Pacific Youth Internet Governance Forum, running alongside the main event for the first time.
“The future of internet governance in the Pacific will be in good hands,” she said.
The Prime Minister encouraged continued regional collaboration and reaffirmed Samoa’s support for a multi-stakeholder approach to internet governance.
“Let us continue to build a Pacific that is digitally empowered, globally connected, and locally resilient—where every voice counts in shaping the internet we want.”
The event follows last week’s Global Internet Governance Forum in Oslo, where similar issues around digital transformation and inclusion were discussed.
The 2025 PIGF in Apia is expected to contribute to regional strategies for digital development and online safety across the Pacific Islands.
This article is based on the keynote address delivered by the Prime Minister of Samoa, Hon. Afioga Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa, at the opening of the Pacific Internet Governance Forum 2025 in Apia. The forum was held from 2 to 3 July 2025 and organised by the Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society (PICISOC), in partnership with the Samoa IT Association (SITA) and the Government of Samoa.
About the Forum:
The Pacific Internet Governance Forum (PIGF) brings together stakeholders from government, civil society, private sector, academia, and regional organisations to discuss internet governance in the Pacific. The 2025 theme, “Digital Inclusion and Safety”, focuses on ensuring access to technology for all and addressing online threats such as cyberbullying, misinformation, and digital exploitation.
