Port Moresby hosts our next Business Network Dialogue!

Next week, more than 20 Papua New Guinea and Australian current and emerging leaders will come together in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, for the 2019 Pacific Connect Business Network Dialogue on ‘Innovative and disruptive technology in PNG agriculture’. Under the theme of ‘Australia-Pacific Connections for a Digital Future’, Pacific Connect seeks to strengthen people-to-people connections to discuss and plan our region’s digital future.

Following on from the successful 2018 Pacific Connect Business Network Dialogue on digital connectivity, ICDP returns to Port Moresby to discuss how improved digital and disruptive technology can generate new commercial opportunities in agriculture, help create an economy in a rural village, or build sustainability through traditional industries such as coffee, cocoa and cassava.

This Dialogue, which will take place from 1 April to 3 April 2019, will see accomplished individuals from government, not-for-profit, agriculture, ICT, marketing, legal and education industries participate in networking, project identification and planning sessions. It will be facilitated by Andrew Carriline, Chair of Pacific Connect Business Network Council and ICDP Ambassador, and John Pora, Director of NIUGENE PNG Limited. The Dialogue will begin on Monday with discussions on the challenges and opportunities of digital agriculture in the country, followed by a welcome dinner. We are delighted to have the Hon. Charles Abel, Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer of Papua New Guinea, provide the keynote address to participants at this networking dinner. Tuesday sees participants identify innovative and transformational projects for PNG agriculture and conceptualise them. Participants will identify needs and brainstorm ideas that will support the creation of a viable business or businesses and can tap into ICDP’s extensive regional alumni community. On Tuesday evening, Dialogue participants and current members of the Pacific Connect Community will gather for a networking event to enable further connections within the community. A visit to the PNG National Museum and Art Gallery for a tour of the impressive ‘A Bit na Ta’ exhibition with David Bridie, Project Leader, rounds out the program on Wednesday.

If you’re not attending this event, there will be significant coverage online. Participants and ICDP will be live-tweeting at the event from ICDP’s twitter account. Anyone who would like to join in the discussion can do so by using the hashtags: #PacificConnect #DigitalPacific #PNG2019Dialogue.

We look forward to the Dialogue and to further expanding our Pacific Connect Community. Can’t wait to see the projects that arise from it!