Pacific Parliamentary Knowledge Exchange Workshop Aims to Accelerate Digital Transformation

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A four-day workshop focused on accelerating digital transformation within Pacific Island parliaments is currently underway in Suva, Fiji. Running from March 24 to March 28, the workshop brings together delegates from across the region, including Sione Vikilani, Deputy Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga, and Si’oto Fine, ICT Officer. Participants include Clerks, Senior Administrators, ICT Managers, and Civic Education/Public

Engagement staff from various Pacific parliaments. The event combines both in-person and hybrid sessions, fostering a collaborative dialogue on the future of digital governance in the region.

Organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the workshop aims to drive digital transformation within Pacific parliaments. The focus is on addressing the opportunities and challenges small island nations face in adopting new technologies for governance and strengthening citizen engagement through improved ICT infrastructure.

Challenges in Digitalizing Pacific Parliaments

Pacific Island parliaments face a range of significant obstacles in implementing digital solutions. Geographic isolation, limited resources, and a historical reliance on paper-based processes present unique challenges. Although progress has been made, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, many parliaments still struggle with underdeveloped ICT systems. Some parliaments are currently utilizing only four of the 22 global functional areas supported by IT systems, underscoring the urgent need for modernization.

The workshop provides a valuable platform for Pacific parliaments to collaborate, share experiences, and develop strategies to enhance digital governance, improve public engagement, and bolster ICT capacity.

Key Focus Areas of the Workshop

One of the central themes of the workshop is how digital solutions can overcome traditional barriers in the region. Previously limited by poor internet access, many Pacific Island nations are seeing rapid improvements in connectivity, with initiatives such as the rollout of Starlink, expansion of 4G/5G networks, and new seabed internet cables. These advancements create new opportunities for better connectivity, cloud-based document and website management, and continued use of video conferencing in parliamentary work.

Workshop Objectives

1. Facilitating Regional Dialogue on Digital Transformation
   The workshop aims to facilitate discussions on ICT governance, resource mobilization, and the use of digital tools for parliamentary functions. The goal is to create a regional action plan that can be tailored to the unique needs of each parliament.
2. Showcasing Best Practices
   Case studies of successful digital innovations will be presented to provide practical examples for other parliaments. These insights will be compiled into a best practices report to serve as a guide for future initiatives.
3. Strengthening ICT Governance
   Special sessions will provide ICT managers with frameworks, tools, and budget planning strategies to improve ICT governance. Participants will also receive hands-on training at the Fiji Parliament’s ICT Department.
4. Promoting Peer-to-Peer Learning
   One of the workshop’s goals is to create a sustainable peer-to-peer learning environment. Participants will engage in workshops and Talanoa sessions to share challenges and successes, developing actionable steps for continued digital transformation.
5. Enhancing Public Outreach through Digital Tools

The event will explore digital tools designed to improve public outreach, with a particular focus on engaging underrepresented groups such as women, youth, and marginalized communities in the legislative process.

Today, the workshop looked at AI, and participants had a tour of the Fiji Parliament and the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation.