The Record of Discussions (R/D) for the Technical Cooperation Project for Improving Cybersecurity Capability in the Pacific Island Countries was signed today (24.06.25) between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on behalf of the Government of Japan and the Ministry of Policing on behalf of the Government of Fiji.
The Permanent Secretary for Policing, Mr. Beranado Daveta, and the Resident Representative of JICA, Mr. Satoshi Wakasugi, participated in the signing.
The signing of the R/D not only signifies the long-standing bilateral relations between both governments but also highlights the importance of regional and international cooperation in addressing prevalent cyber threats and risks in the Pacific.
The project aims to improve the cybersecurity capabilities of Critical Information Infrastructure operators and government stakeholders in Fiji and other Pacific Island countries. These will be conducted through trainings, programs and seminars that focus on cybersecurity incident response and raising cybersecurity awareness for citizens and vulnerable groups, such as women, youths and others in cooperation with local and regional partners.
While reliance on IT and digital technology has rapidly increased, promptly addressing cyber threats and risks remains a prominent challenge for Fiji and neighbouring countries in the Pacific. This signing marks a significant milestone in bridging the cyber gap and equipping relevant institutions and agencies with proper technical training mechanisms to address cyber threats that will ensure a safe cyberspace for all in the Pacific.
The project will also involve regional stakeholders and agencies from the thirteen Pacific Island states of the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
Further, coinciding with Sustainable Development Goals 9 & 17, the project will also focus on innovating & safeguarding essential infrastructure and strengthening global partnerships in line with Fiji’s proposed National Cybersecurity Strategy.
Importantly, this project builds on the momentum established by the National Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity Incident Response and Recovery Framework, developed last year by Fiji’s Critical Infrastructure (CI) Agency in close partnership with the U.S. Embassy and the Ministry of Home Affairs. This framework provides the operational backbone for cyber incident coordination, impact assessment, recovery protocols, and real-time information sharing between public and private sector infrastructure operators.
Key elements of the project align directly with:
-Pillar 1: Secure Infrastructure and Systems, and
-Pillar 2: Cyber Resilience and Readiness
under the Fiji National Digital Strategy 2025–2030, as well as
-Sustainable Development Goals 9 & 17, and
Fiji’s National Cybersecurity Strategy (in development).
It also supports the implementation of the Boe Declaration on Regional Security and advances the vision of the Ocean of Peace Initiative championed by Hon. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, which identifies cyber stability and cooperation as essential pillars of Pacific peace.
A central outcome of the project is the Ministry of Policing’s development of:
-A National Cyber Defense Simulation Exercise; and
-A National Cyber Defense Playbook for Critical Information Infrastructure,
drawing on lessons from international exercises and aligned to best practices in response, containment, and post-incident recovery.
Furthermore, the project complements regional coordination mechanisms such as the Pacific Chapter of The Internet Society (PICISOC), the Pacific Cybersecurity Operational Network (PacSON) and other multilateral platforms that contribute to safeguarding Fiji’s digital borders and the wider Pacific digital ecosystem.
Participating countries in the program include: the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
The project is scheduled to commence in September 2025 and will run for 36 months.