Papua New Guinea has officially joined a coalition of 65 nations by signing the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime, marking a significant step toward strengthening international cooperation in addressing the growing menace of cybercrime. Acting Minister for Information and Communications Technology, Peter Tsiamalili Jr., highlighted the alarming rise of cyber threats, predicting that losses linked to these crimes could amount to over US$9.5 trillion (around K39.9 trillion) in 2024, with estimates potentially exceeding US$10.5 trillion (approximately K44.1 trillion) in the following year.
The signing ceremony occurred on October 25 at the National Convention Centre in Hanoi, Vietnam, where Steven Matainaho, Secretary for the Department of Information and Communications Technology, represented Papua New Guinea. He was accompanied by Oala Moi, Chief Legal Officer of the National Information and Communications Technology Authority (Nicta).
In response to recent Cabinet decisions aimed at ratifying international conventions addressing cybercrime, Papua New Guinea is taking significant steps among Pacific countries to establish an effective framework for managing digital threats. The country plans to deposit its accession instrument for the historic Budapest Convention on Cybercrime next month, further reinforcing its international stance on this urgent issue.
By aligning itself with both the Hanoi Convention and the Budapest Convention, Papua New Guinea is poised to improve cooperation, legislative alignment, and coordinated responses to various cyber threats. Tsiamalili emphasized that cybercrime profoundly impacts citizens, economies, and governmental operations, underscoring the necessity for collaborative efforts to safeguard digital trust and security.
The government is committed to working closely with the United Nations and the Council of Europe to modernize national laws and institutions related to cybersecurity. This comprehensive strategy will include updates to the Cybercrime Code Act and the Electronic Transactions Act, along with the introduction of Digital ID and Data Protection legislation. Strengthening coordination among the department, Nicta, the police Cybercrime Unit, and other relevant agencies remains a priority.
Papua New Guinea’s proactive measures, in conjunction with advancements made by neighboring Pacific nations such as Fiji in cybersecurity, reflect a collective regional commitment to enhancing digital governance and safety. As these countries collaborate to share insights and strategies, there is a positive outlook for a more secure digital landscape across the Pacific, fostering resilience against the ever-changing challenges posed by cyber threats.