As Pacific Island Countries chart a course toward a toward a digital future, two nations have been debating how best we can undertake digital transformation while ensuring that no one is left behind.

As leaders in this space, Solomon Islands and Tonga are taking a coordinated approach between government, civil society and the private sector to build ownership, support human-centred design, mitigate risks, and establish accountability.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office in Fiji’s recent Digital Readiness Assessments (DRAs) of these countries offer valuable insights, not just for these nations, but for the entire region, with the assessments acting as more than just a rating; they sit as a cross-cutting, hybrid qualitative-quantitative analysis, delivering in a matter of weeks what previously took months, or even years to complete.

What do these DRAs look like, you may ask? Well luckily you don’t have to read them in full to find out, with the following a synopsis of the key findings:

A Human-Centered Approach

From the top down, as we look at the big picture for when it comes to UNDP’s work in the digital space, the DRAs align with our overall organizational commitment to human rights and inclusive digital transformation. They rightly recognize the crucial role of multi-stakeholder engagement – governments, civil society, and the private sector – in ensuring everyone benefits from digital advancement. This focus on both building government capacity and empowering citizens is essential for navigating the complex landscape of digital development across the Pacific.

Strengthening the Foundations

While the DRAs provide a solid roadmap, there are areas where we can delve deeper. A more nuanced contextual analysis of the political economy and potential digital risks would further strengthen the foundation of any digital strategy. Similarly, gender and social inclusion need to be woven into the very fabric of these initiatives, not simply tacked on as afterthoughts.

United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) Inclusive Digital Economy Scorecards (IDES) assessments of Tonga and Solomon Islands further reinforce our findings. This also shows how addressing the needs (such as digital infrastructure and skills development, providing valuable guidance for building strong digital foundation) will yield benefits across the ecosystem. The key takeaway from these for us is this: how can we best mainstream technology as an agent of change.

Climate and Co-creators

The Pacific is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and digital solutions can play a crucial role in building resilience. Additionally, acknowledging the interests and influence of external actors such as donors and tech companies, will be vital for navigating partnerships and mitigating potential risks.

Moving from Roadmap to Reality

Moving beyond the DRAs, concrete actions are key. Conducting rigorous analysis and assessing actor incentives will pave the way for effective digital governance reforms across the Pacific. Integrating gender markers and social inclusion metrics into monitoring and evaluation frameworks will ensure progress is equitably measured, and exploring climate-smart digital solutions for resilience and sustainable development can harness the potential of technology for good.

Ultimately, developing clear guidelines for public-private partnerships will safeguard public interest, while in turn fostering collaboration.

A Spark of Innovation

The DRAs spark exciting project ideas. Building secure and robust data systems that align with open data principles can unlock a wealth of opportunities. Pairing government digital service teams with civil society partners on user-centric design could ensure services truly cater to the needs of citizens. Equipping women, youth, and marginalized groups with digital skills, linked to livelihood opportunities, can bridge the digital divide and unleash untold potential. Finally, fostering a regional network of women leaders in tech would amplify voices and empower women to shape the digital future of the Pacific.

Charting a Sustainable Course

Tonga and Solomon Islands' DRAs illuminate a pathway toward a digitally vibrant Pacific. By building on current strengths, addressing limitations, and fostering innovative partnerships, the region can ensure that technology becomes a force for good, fostering inclusion, sustainability, and shared prosperity.

However, digitization is not a panacea. Innovation for innovation’s sake at best wastes valuable resources, and at worst exacerbates inequalities. Digitization and innovations need to be sustainable - resilient, responsible, and focused on citizens’ needs.

Team Leader – Effective Governance and Inclusive Growth with UNDP Pacific, Rustam Pulatov, said that a thorough understanding of each country's existing environment is crucial for fully embracing digital transformation.

“From this we can then help countries make better decisions, implement collaboratively, give the excluded a decision-making role, and serve as a trusted advisor. A portfolio approach allows us to thoughtfully learn from all our work, operate faster and implement lessons learned more quickly,” he said.

Programme Manager - Civil Society, Gender, Human Rights, Health at the Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific, Francesco Ponzoni, noted Tonga and Solomon Islands astute approach to inclusive digital transformation.  

“Tonga and Solomon Islands show admirable commitment to inclusive digital design. At the core of EU digital efforts in the Pacific will remain backing visions that safeguard citizen welfare while exploring technologies' potential. Whether AI, infrastructure, identities or accountability, human-focused approaches are vital so no one is left behind in the digital future”, he said.

The time to act is now. By taking a thoughtful, responsible and inclusive approach, the Pacific is positioned to lead the way in providing a sustainable, digital future for all.

The Pacific Digital Democracy Project is a collaborative initiative between the European Union and UNDP. The project aims to revolutionize digital governance and empower citizens in the Pacific region. Through multi-stakeholder, collaborative efforts, the project intends to enhance online safety, combat disinformation and hate speech, and foster e-government and e-participation systems, ensuring a robust foundation for longer-term strategies.