The Minister for Information Communications & Technology & Member for South Bougainville, Timothy Masiu announced that the country is ready and happy to be hosting two high profile events in the field of ICT next week. This will be the inaugural pacific ICT Ministerial Dialogue on the 28th-29th of this month whilst the Asia-Pacific ICT Tele-community [APT] Policy & Regulation Forum [PRFP-16] will be on the 30th to the 1st of September. “The first of its kind Pacific ICT Ministerial dialogue will see ICT Ministers from across the pacific and top-level officials from development partners including the International Telecommunication Union [ITU] and regional organizations such as the APT and the Pacific Island Telecommunication Association [PITA] converge in Port Moresby to sign off on a declaration.” The minister stated that this will symbolize the commitment of Pacific Countries and territories to work together and to build a unified approach for the strategic development and strengthen the region through the coordinated use of and advancement of ICT. 12 countries have already been confirmed to take part and official delegations will be flying into the capital as early as this Friday while two other delegates will be participating online. “After the Pacific ICT Ministerial Dialogue, some of the members of each delegation will continue with the PRFP-16, a key event under the APT of ITU.” The Minister stated that the PRFP-16 will provide an invaluable platform for discussions on telecommunications and ICT policies tailored for the Pacific.