Samoa’s Minister for Information and Communications Technology (MCIT) has called for global unity to address challenges in the digital era.

Hon. Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo is in London this week representing Samoa at the inaugural Ministerial Alliance for Digital Nations facilitated by the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization.

Dedicated to affordable universal broadband connectivity, the meeting brings together ICT and Telecommunications Ministers from the Commonwealth to deliberate on the concerns and challenges being faced by Commonwealth countries in achieving affordable universal broadband connectivity.

Also joining the Ministers are Senior ICT policy makers and regulators, Captains of ICT industry, C-level executives of ICT organisations, and Heads of international and regional organisations.

Hon. Toelupe is accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of MCIT, Lefaoali’i Unutoa Auelua where the duo enlightened the audience on Samoa’s commitment to provide free internet to schools as part of the government’s vision to fostering social harmony, safe and freedom for all.

“And to ensure that we stay committed to that vision, one of our priorities is creating transformative opportunities through the innovative use of information and communication technology,” Hon. Toelupe told the audience.

“This year, the government of Samoa used satellite to offer free internet to about 95 per cent of schools in Samoa. If we are to stay true to our future of digital transformation, we should start from our young ones.”

Small island economies like Samoa will always be challenged by the fast changing digital era where resources are critical to ensure national access and affordability.  However, Hon. Toelupe strongly believes in encouraging equal treatment of everyone through the digitization process.

“Samoa has its own challenges from infrastructural upgrades to policy and legislation framework, to connectivity concerns and the need for ICT funding support, the threshold question is, so much we would like to transform the lives of o citizens through digitization of their daily lives but their safety from cyberattacks and bullying?”