Digital transformation in Samoa and the Pacific can alleviate geographical challenges, maximize comparative advantages in sectors like tourism, fisheries, kava, call centres, and other business process outsourcing services.

It can also enhance accessibility to education, healthcare, government services, and facilitate the digitalisation of historical and cultural practices as a precautionary measure for Samoa and other Pacific nations facing rising sea levels.

This is why Pacific visibility was at its highest at the high-level sessions held in Geneva as part of the UNCTAD eWeek from 4 to 8 December.

The Pacific Islands Forum participated in two high level side events on ‘Donor Roundtable - Enabling Impact at Scale in Supporting Inclusive and Sustainable Digital Economies’ and ‘A Regional Approach to E-commerce and Digital Trade in the Pacific’.

At the ‘Donor Roundtable - Enabling Impact at Scale in Supporting Inclusive and Sustainable Digital Economiess’, panellists highlighted how digital transformation presents developing economies with opportunities to leapfrog outdated infrastructure, tap into internet-driven knowledge spillovers, explore new markets on digital platforms, and harness the possibilities offered by digital technologies.

Pedro Manuel Moreno, Deputy Secretary General of UNCTAD, emphasized in his remarks that "the digital transformation has significant potential to reshape the current trajectory of development, with increasing recognition in donors' development cooperation strategies and commitments.”

Ambassador Merewalesi Falemaka, PIF Permanent Representative to the WTO and United Nations in Geneva highlighted the transformative nature of the online economy. “If harnessed correctly, the digital transformation will be a game-changer for the Pacific region, supporting rural communities, women, micro, small, and medium enterprises to prosper. I call on donors to help narrow the digital divide and ensure that the rising tide of digital transformation lifts the boats of the Pacific region."

At the High-Level panel session on ‘A Regional Approach to E-commerce and Digital Trade in the Pacific’, participants saw how improvements in digital connectivity across the Pacific grows opportunities for e-commerce and digital trade. E-commerce is providing Pacific businesses access to new domestic, regional, and international markets. To harness these opportunities, the Pacific Islands Forum and partners established the Pacific E-commerce Initiative—a multi-stakeholder partnership focused on enhancing digital trade readiness in the Pacific. This initiative falls under the Technology and Connectivity thematic area of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

In his remarks, Forum Secretary General, Henry Puna said the Pacific E-commerce Initiative, is “ weaving a united fabric to fortify our e-commerce environment and digital landscape. This collective effort taps into our Pacific community's wisdom and shared strengths, complementing national endeavours. It's about owning our development, steering our Pacific destiny in the digital era with our hands firmly on the wheel.”

The Pacific E-commerce Initiative is Pacific-owned and led, supporting ownership and engagement of development efforts.

Other Forum panel events during the UNCTAD eWeek covered importance of small businesses offline-online transition, and using data to power decision-making in E-commerce.