Vanuatu Prime Minister to open Pacific ICT Days 2017

Prime Minister and Minister responsible for ICT, Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas, will be opening the Pacific ICT Days 2017 ceremony on Wednesday (May 17).

The event will be open to all and will take place for the very second time at the new Vanuatu National Convention Centre.

The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) will join other members of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to celebrate World Telecommunication & Information Society Day (WTISD) 2017 theme “Big Data for Big Impact.”

The conference will provide an environment and a platform for delegates as well as visitors, technology providers and specialists to come together and share experiences, discuss latest technologies advances, address key issues and challenges and explore new business opportunities within the telecommunications industry.

It will be the opportunity to reinforce relationships among all players of the ICT ecosystem, including public administrations, private sector companies, entrepreneurs, non-for profits, as well as all the people living in the Pacific.

For the occasion, free internet will be provided for all at the venue, traditional food stalls will be set up outside the conference area (to book, email ictdays@vanuatu.gov.vu or call 33380 - only 10,000VUV for both days) and a free shuttle service will be organized in town as well as in Pango and Mele area (see bus schedule on www.ictdays.gov.vu/shuttle-service).

To finish off the Opening on Wednesday, a live concert with Vanuatu’s popular Reggae Bands - Naio and Kross Road will take place from 6pm to 10pm.   

There will also be a Pacific ICT Award Ceremony on Thursday evening, the 18th of May, and will also be open to all.

The Ceremony will celebrate and recognize outstanding ICT solutions and applications among our Pacific ICT talents and organizations.

Six ICT Awards will be handed out by Valerie Martinez, Miss Vanuatu: Best Innovation Award, Best Digital Inclusion Award, Best Business Solution Award, Best ICT Entrepreneurship Award, Best Digital Leader Award and Best Customer Service Award. An ICT Gala Dinner will follow the ICT Awards Ceremony from 7pm to 11pm, at the Banquet Room of the new National Convention Centre.

Tickets on sale at OGCIO Reception, Vila Mall Building: 7,000VT per person or 50,000VT per table (seats 8) inclusive of a Buffet meal, champagne on arrival, white / red wine on table and entertainment. 

This will be an exciting conference thanks to the valuable support of 18 local and international partners and sponsors: the Telecommunications Radiocommunications Regulator (TRR), Australian Aid, University of the South Pacific (USP), Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) as well as Huawei Technologies Ltd, Telecom Vanuatu Ltd, Digicel Vanuatu Ltd, Wantok, Opticom, Computer World, Cambium Networks, the Asia-Pacific Network Information Center (APNIC), the Vanuatu National Provident Fund (VNPF), Kacific Satellite Broadband, Sharper Image, CNS, Ahitec Services, and Pacific Group. 

Together, we will build a bright digital future for all whilst enhancing collaboration and celebrating the whole ICT sector.