Fiji and Australia this week reaffirmed their cybersecurity partnership under the Vuvale Framework, celebrating one year since the signing of their cyber collaboration MOU.
Speaking at the Australian High Commission in Suva, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Cooperatives, MSMEs and Communications Manoa Kamikamica highlighted the importance of the partnership in strengthening Fiji’s cyber defenses, including support from Australia in penetration testing and establishing Fiji’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT).
“As Vuvale partners we share a strong and deep relationship with economic, security and people to people ties,” Kamikamica said.
“CERT is expected to serve as a central node in Fiji’s cyber defense network, working closely with telecom providers and critical service operators.”
Kamikamica highlighted the increasing significance of secure digital infrastructure for national development and revealed that Fiji’s National Cybersecurity Strategy will soon be released, with guidance drawn from Australia’s 2023 Cybersecurity Strategy.
The two countries are also working regionally through initiatives like the Lagatoi Declaration Action Plan, a strategic blueprint for strengthening Pacific cyber resilience, which is expected to be endorsed at the upcoming Pacific ICT Ministers Meeting and the Pacific Islands Forum Meetings, and globally through the UN Open-Ended Working Group to shape international cyber laws.
Fiji has joined the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime and is committed to continued cooperation with Australia to build a secure and resilient digital future for the Pacific.
