A project to modernise six Acts to include digital government and to strengthen digital legal requirements and protections in Tonga, is being planned.

A team of Digital Specialists met with Tonga's Prime Minister, Hon Hu’akavameiliku on 26 May. They discussed the brief outcome of the World Bank Tonga Digital Government Support Project (TDGSP) Mid Term Review Mission.

The team was led by Digital Development Specialist, Fawah Ngeniform Akwo with support from another specialist, Shivnesh Prasad.

The project has finalized its design phase, and is now ready to proceed with eight major activities through procurement and evaluation processes of the World Bank.

Six legal frameworks are in the works relating to the Privacy Data Protection Act, Computer Crimes Act, Electronic Transaction Act, Cybersecurity Act, and Amendments to the Births, Deaths Marraiage Act and National Identity Act, aiming to be submitted through the Law Committee and Cabinet for their consent, before submission to Parliament.

During the mission, an information session with stakeholders was held on 25 May led by Andrew To’imoana Director Head of the new Digital Transformation Unit, Prime Minister’s Office, with support from the Project Coordinator, Semisi Topui, Pesi Baker from the Central Service Unit and the Mission Team.

The meeting covered the new revised scope of the Project introducing the Unique Identifier and its enabling environment, and discussions were made by the stakeholders, which highlighted concerns to ensure security perimeters are considered.

The team:

Fawah Ngeniform Akwo (Digital Development Specialist)
Shivnesh Prasad (Digital Development Specialist)
Mr. Edward Dunston (Digital ID Specialist)
Siou Chew Kuek (Senior Digital Development Specialist and co-Task Team Leader)
Jonathan Marskell (Senior Program Officer, ID4D)
Cris Nunes (Senior Procurement Specialist)
Ha Thuy Tran (Senior Financial Management Specialist)
Eka Yabaki (Operations Analyst)
Keong Min Yoon (Counsel)