Tuesday 21 May, 2024
Secretary Matainaho present PNG coffee to Eigo Nomura-san, Director General for International Affairs, Global Strategy Bureau, Japan Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications after the meeting.
The Ministry of Information and Communications Technology has announced the successful completion of the National Data Protection and Governance Policy, and the country will soon have its policy that aims to manage and protect data effectively.
This new policy is timely as ICT establishes its position as a key enabler for economic growth, and it addresses the pressing need for comprehensive data regulations as a result of significant progress in ICT and the use of technology globally and in the country
Minister for Information and Communications Technology, Timothy Masiu, highlighted the significance of this development, stating, “Without proper data policies and regulations, data breaches, privacy violations, and misuse of data continue to pose risks to individuals, businesses, and national security.
“ The absence of clear guidelines undermines public trust and hinders the benefits of data-driven innovation and economic growth.”
The new policy, which now awaits the endorsement of a ministerial committee before heading to Cabinet for approval, outlines several key objectives:
- Defining Clear Principles and Standards: Establishing responsible data handling practices for government agencies, businesses, and other stakeholders.
- Implementing Robust Data Protection Mechanisms: Safeguarding privacy, confidentiality, and data integrity to enhance public trust.
- Fostering Accountability and Transparency: Clearly defining roles, responsibilities, and accountability mechanisms across all sectors.
- Encouraging Responsible Data Sharing: Promoting collaboration, innovation, and efficient public service delivery while ensuring privacy compliance.
- Promoting Data Literacy and Awareness: Empowering citizens, policymakers, and organizations for informed decision-making and responsible data use.
- Creating an Enabling Environment for Innovation: Providing regulatory certainty, promoting ethical data use, and fostering innovation.
- Designing a Flexible Policy Framework: Adapting to emerging challenges and opportunities in the digital landscape.
- Ensuring International Alignment: Enhancing PNG’s competitiveness and interoperability in the global digital economy.
Minister Masiu emphasized the importance of aligning with international best practices, citing the recent Global Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) Forum held from May 15-17, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan.
This important event showed the significance of international cooperation in data privacy and security, with PNG represented by senior executives from the Department of Information and Communications Technology, including department Secretary Mr Steven Matainaho, principal legal counsel Mr Oala Moi, and Acting Data Governance Manager Ms Nancy Kanasa.
The Tokyo forum provided a platform for PNG’s representatives to assess the country’s domestic interoperability mechanisms established under the Digital Government Act 2022.
These statutory provisions reaffirm PNG’s commitment to robust privacy measures and secure data exchange.
Looking ahead, Minister Masiu will recommend that the National Executive Council consider PNG joining the CBPR Forum. Established on April 21, 2022, by economies including Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, and the USA, the CBPR Forum supports the free flow of data and effective data protection globally.