Tonga proudly joined the global celebration of Universal Acceptance (UA) Day—the first time the event has been marked in the country. Tonga Women in ICT (TWICT) reported that this milestone underscores Tonga’s commitment to making the Internet more inclusive and accessible to all.
Universal Acceptance ensures that all valid domain names and email addresses—regardless of language, script, or length—work seamlessly across online platforms. It is a key step in breaking down digital barriers and enabling a more inclusive online experience for people worldwide.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of MEIDECC, Mr. Esau Tupou, Director of CERT Tonga, highlighted the importance of Universal Acceptance in ensuring that every Tongan can fully participate in the digital world. “As we move toward a more connected future, UA is essential in making sure our unique languages and identities are represented online.”
Mr. Save Vocea, Regional Vice President for Oceania at ICANN, said he was happy that Tonga is the only Pacific Island nation celebrating UA Day this year, recognizing the country's leadership in digital inclusivity in the region. He said that it was important to work towards UA adoption.
UA Day 2025 featured awareness sessions and technical training led by the Universal Acceptance Steering Group (UASG), ICANN, UA Ambassadors, and global partners.
Participants in Tonga’s UA Day also heard from ICANN Chair-Board of Directors, Ms. Tripti Sinha, who provided valuable insights into the future of Universal Acceptance and Internet governance, while Mr. Champika Wijayatunga, ICANN’s Technical Engagement Senior Manager APAC, delivered a UA training. The sessions focused on how businesses, governments, and communities can adopt UA principles to create a more accessible and user-friendly Internet for all.
Local participants included representatives from TCC, TCL, TWICT and other NGOs, the Ministry of Health (MOH), MEIDECC, CERT Tonga, and other government ministries, reflecting a broad commitment to digital inclusivity across various sectors in Tonga.
Ms. Selu Kauvaka, President of TWICT, said that these were just a few of the initiatives in the ICT and digital space that TWICT was initiating and engaging in regionally and globally for Tonga. She emphasized that TWICT remained committed to advocating for digital inclusion and capacity building to ensure that all Tongans can participate in and benefit from the digital transformation.
TWICT promotes inclusivity and diversity in the Tech Sector.
With over 5 billion active Internet users worldwide—and another billion expected to come online—embracing Universal Acceptance is critical for digital inclusion, economic opportunities, and preserving cultural diversity online.
Tonga’s participation in Universal Acceptance Day 2025 marks a significant step toward ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age.
The Universal Acceptance Day 2025 workshop and training was sponsored by the Universal Acceptance Steering Group (UASG), ICANN and hosted by Tonga Women in ICT Hub at Fasi moe afi.
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