The Minister for Communication and Aviation, Hon Peter Shanel Agovaka is currently attending a High Level Meeting on Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN 63) on behalf of the Solomon Islands Government from October 20-25 in Barcelona, Spain.

Solomon Islands participation was made possible on invitation by the Government of Spain and ICANN.

The Meeting was in line with Solomon Islands Government Implementation of the National ICT policy frame work especially on the subjects of Cyber Security, Privacy, Intrusive issues and General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

The discussions during the meeting were four-fold in relation to key Policy areas including;

  • How to improve dialogue between ICANN and Governments regarding the potential impacts of new legislative and regulatory activities on ICANN and the DNS (Domain Name System).
  • Government and public concerns with respect to privacy, data protection and the increases of cybercrime, and the process of addressing such issues and the need to find solution, through greater, collaboration, dialogue and cooperation .
  • Explore the impact of the Internet Technological evolution on ICANN and the DNS, where challenges and opportunities may arise and on the aspects of the DNS technically have to be secure ,resilient for internet users
  • Addressing global Internet issues, through ongoing capacity building for Governments and citizens

Hon Peter Shanel during the meeting on October 22 delivered his intervention speech on behalf of the Government and people of Solomon Islands on key policy issues mentioned and highlighted, good internet governance, collaboration and partnership with all stakeholders as a way forward to harness internet access and services in the future. The meeting concludes on October 25.

Permanent Secretary Mr. Moses Virivolomo and Mr. Wilson Leguvaka, Director Regulatory Resources from the Telecommunications Commission (Regulator) and also the Government Advisory Committee (GAC) Solomon Islands Government representative to ICANN accompanied Minister Peter Shanel to the meeting.

Government Communication Unit, OPMC