F.S. Joins Pacific Digital Sovereignty Accord
The Federated States has officially signed the Pacific Digital Sovereignty Accord, joining a growing group of Pacific nations seeking greater control over digital infrastructure, data security, and artificial intelligence governance.
The agreement was signed at the Pacific Islands Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Summit held in Suva, Fiji. Secretary of Communications and Digital Infrastructure Keiran Malvo represented the F.S. at the summit and described the accord as “a vital step toward regional digital independence.”
The Pacific Digital Sovereignty Accord commits its members to developing shared cloud infrastructure, enforcing data localization policies, improving cybersecurity cooperation, and ensuring ethical standards in the use of AI. The accord also includes measures to protect indigenous data rights and promote regional innovation.
“Our digital infrastructure must serve our people, not foreign interests,” Malvo said. “This accord strengthens our ability to defend privacy, democracy, and national security in an increasingly connected world.”
The F.S. joins Fiji, Samoa, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu as a founding signatory. The move comes amid growing global concerns over foreign surveillance, AI manipulation, and election interference, with several Pacific nations expressing interest in creating a secure and self-managed digital environment.
Domestically, the signing is expected to revive momentum for the FS’s pending Digital Sovereignty and Infrastructure Bill, which proposes the creation of a National Data Authority and mandates that sensitive public data be stored within the country.
While the governing Republican-Green coalition has supported the move, opposition parties have raised concerns about potential trade impacts and infrastructure costs. Nevertheless, cybersecurity analysts and tech experts have widely praised the agreement as a proactive step toward regional resilience.
The Pacific Digital Sovereignty Accord will take effect later this year, with a follow-up summit scheduled to be held in Port Libnah in the F.S., where member states will finalize the launch of a new Pacific Sovereign Cloud Cooperative.
