Digital ID Overview

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Across the Pacific, the development of digital identity systems is still in its early stages, with only a few countries having established frameworks while many others are still navigating the initial stages of planning and implementation. Only three out of the 17 countries (Australia, New Zealand and Vanuatu) have digital ID systems in place. A common theme across these systems is that they are designed primarily to support secure online access to government services, although they differ in scope and function. Australia’s myID and New Zealand’s RealMe are voluntary. Both IDs are foundational and functional, offering secure verification but not serving as proof of citizenship.[44] In contrast, Vanuatu’s E-ID acts as a foundational ID, forming the primary legal identity for citizens and permanent residents, and the NID card is mandatory, while E-ID is voluntary.[45]

Most of the remaining countries that have plans to roll out a digital ID system are at different stages of development. Fiji announced in 2025 that it will build a comprehensive National Digital ID System which is expected to take three years to complete.[46] Kiribati intends to develop a digital ID as part of its Digital Government Master Plan, while the Marshall Islands is progressing through a World Bank–supported Digital Republic Project to lay the groundwork for digital identity.[47] Papua New Guinea has already begun rolling out its SevisPass system, although it is not yet fully implemented.[48] Samoa has legislated its future digital ID framework through the National Digital Identification Act, but is still preparing for its rollout.[49] Tonga is receiving World Bank support to digitize and integrate its civil registration and national ID systems, and Nauru plans to establish a national digital ID in the next five years through its Digital Transformation Strategy 2025–2030.[50] Smaller countries such as Tuvalu have outlined ambitions to be a “digital nation”, but implementation remains uncertain.[51]

Table 3: Digital ID System and its Key Features Across The Pacific countries

CountryDigital ID System Found in the Country?Key Features
American SamoaNoneNot applicable
AustraliamyID – 2024
MyID is a voluntary, foundational and functional ID system evolved from myGovID, designed to securely verify identity for accessing government services online. It does not prove citizenship, as non-citizens with valid visas can obtain a digital ID.[52]
Federated States of MicronesiaNone
There were plans in 2019 to implement a voluntary National Digital Identification (NDID) system by the government to provide a ‘unique legal identity to all citizens and residents of Micronesia’[53]
FijiNone
There was an announcement in 2025 to establish a comprehensive and secure National Digital ID System by the National Identification Steering Committee which is expected to take three years to complete.[54]   
GuamNoneNot applicable
KiribatiNone
Aims to establish a digital identity (ID) system as part of its broader digital transformation efforts outlined in the Digital Government Master Plan (2021).[55]
Marshall IslandsNone
It is in the early stages of implementing a digital ID system as part of a broader World Bank-supported Digital Republic Project.[56]
NauruNone
It plans to implement a national digital ID system in      the next five years as part of their National Digital Transformation Strategy 2025-2030.[57]
New ZealandRealMe – 2013
RealMe is both a functional and foundational digital ID that enables individuals to securely prove their identity online and access government and private services. RealMe is generally optional and not required in order to access services, aside from applying for a visa to New Zealand.[58]
Northern Mariana IslandsNoneNot applicable
PalauNone
No digital ID system for citizens, but it offers Palau a “Web3-based digital ID platform” for non-citizens, serving as both a      foundational and functional ID. It enables access to financial platforms, government services, and digital contracts, but does not prove citizenship or grant residency rights.[59]
Papua New GuineaNone


It’s digital ID system, SevisPass, entered the rollout phase in May and June of 2025 but has yet to be fully implemented. It is envisioned as a foundational ID for identity verification and provides access to online government services.[60]
SamoaNone
In February 2024, Samoa’s digital ID system, as well as its main legislative framework, were envisioned under the National Digital Identification Act as a part of the country’s CRVS framework, but it has yet to be rolled out.[61] Intended to be both a foundational and functional ID. It will introduce a unique 10‑digit identification number (SDIN) and a biometric national identity database to provide citizens and residents with a legally recognized digital identity.[62]
Solomon IslandsNoneNot applicable
TongaNone
There are plans to implement one with the World Bank granting Tonga $4.65 million to support the Tonga Digital Government Support Project, including the digitization and linking of Tonga’s civil registration and national ID systems.[63]
TuvaluNone
At COP27 (2022), the Tuvaluan Minister of Justice, Communications and Foreign Affairs announced that Tuvalu would become the first ‘digital nation’ and aims to ‘digitally recreate its land, archive its rich history and culture, and move all governmental functions into a digital space’, but there have been no updates on this since then.[64]
VanuatuE-ID – 2025
The E‑ID is a foundational ID linked to the mandatory National ID. It serves as the primary legal identity for citizens and permanent residents.[65] It can be used to access government services such as obtaining a driver’s license, opening bank accounts, applying for an international passport, and conducting land transactions. The National ID (and thus the E‑ID) is mandatory for certain services. 

Law

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Domestic Law and Policy

Across the Pacific sub-region, the development of domestic laws and policies on digital identity depends on the presence of national digital ID system. Only three countries (Australia, New Zealand and Vanuatu) in the sub-region have established legal and policy frameworks to govern digital ID. The 14 other countries are still in early stages of planning and developing necessary frameworks for its implementation.

Australia and New Zealand have detailed statutory and policy definitions of digital identity in the Digital ID Act (2024) and the Digital Identity Services Trust Framework Act (2023), respectively.[66] Digital identity in Australia and New Zealand is typically defined as an electronic representation or service that enables individuals to authenticate themselves and securely share personal information when accessing online services.[67] Vanuatu regulates its national ID system without explicitly defining ‘digital identity’ in law. The ID system is governed by the Vanuatu National Identity Card Policy (2017), Civil Registration and Identity Management Act (2021) and the Vanuatu National Identity Act (2021).[68] All three countries separate digital ID systems and citizenship status in their laws or policies.

Two countries, Samoa and Papua New Guinea, have not yet rolled out their digital ID systems but have introduced laws or policy frameworks that establish the legal basis for future implementation. Samoa’s National Digital Identification Act (2024) sets out the structure of a digital ID system anchored in a unique identification number and biometric database, while explicitly stating that digital credentials do not confer citizenship.[69] Papua New Guinea has finished its draft of its Digital ID Policy, with the digital ID system being defined as ‘electronic identity verification system so individuals can access services or conduct transactions.’[70]

The remaining countries in the Pacific are still in early planning phases and do not yet have domestic laws that define digital identity. Kiribati’s existing legislative and policy framework does not define digital IDs despite its plans to create a digital ID system under the Kiribati Digital Government Project.[71] The Marshall Islands is similarly without a legal framework for digital identity, with plans to introduce an Information and Communication Technology policy.[72] In two countries, other relevant legislation includes the Electronic Transactions Act (introduced in 2021 in Kiribati and 2025 in the Marshall Islands) that aim to facilitate the use of electronic transactions, signatures, and records in a secure and reliable manner.[73] Nauru has no legal framework to define digital identity, but has outlined plans to develop a national digital ID within its National Digital Transformation Strategy 2025–2030.[74]

Data Protection

Most countries in the Pacific do not have data protection and privacy laws tied to digital ID in place, as many do not have digital ID systems. Only seven out of the 17 countries (Australia, Kiribati, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Vanuatu) have legal or policy frameworks addressing personal data protection in the context of digital identity. Palau stands out as it has established data protection and privacy laws that are in line with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 27001 for Cyber Security Compliance, for its Digital Residency Program designed for non-citizens.[75]

New Zealand’s Privacy Act (2020) and Australia’s Privacy Act (1988) both provide comprehensive data protection, including principles on how personal information can be collected, used, stored, and disclosed.[76] However, they do not mandate encryption of digital ID, and there is no way to erase personal data. Samoa’s National Digital Identification Act (2024) includes principles of data retention and secure storage, as well as penalties for data breaches.[77] Vanuatu’s Data Protection and Privacy Act (2024) outlines reasonable safeguards, including purpose limitation, data minimization, data accuracy, and security measures, but it does not clearly regulate biometric data used within its E-ID system, and it does not prohibit government access.[78] Papua New Guinea and Kiribati also have data governance laws which provide general data protection safeguards, but they are limited in relation to digital ID systems.[79]

International Commitments

Most Pacific countries are not currently party to any international treaty or binding framework that explicitly outline obligations for digital ID systems. However, New Zealand is a member of the Digital Identity Governance Working Group and aligns with the OECD Recommendation on Digital Identity, which emphasises the importance of user-centred and inclusive digital ID systems. Australia has made a non-binding commitment to provide legal identity for all, as part of Goal 16.9 of the Sustainable Development Goals. It has also committed itself to aligning its digital services with OECD’s Recommendation of the Council on Digital Government Strategies (2014). Palau has engaged with international initiatives such as the United Nations’ Global Digital Compact, aiming to foster enhanced global digital cooperation, which aligns with its non-citizen-focused digital residency program.[84] As for Guam, even though it currently has no digital ID system, as part of the United States and as an OECD member, it is involved in a G7 Mapping Exercise of Digital Identity Approaches.[85]

Designed to Include?

The Impact of Digital ID and Legal Identity on Citizenship and Nationality Rights

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Most Pacific countries have not yet implemented a digital ID system, so it is difficult to assess whether stateless persons are or would be included. In the three countries that have digital ID systems in place (Australia, New Zealand, and Vanuatu), it is challenging for stateless persons to access digital ID systems. In Australia, stateless persons often lack foundational identity documents such as visas and passports needed to apply for the digital ID system.[86] Similarly, in New Zealand, stateless persons and undocumented persons would not be able to access the RealMe platform because they do not possess the required documents needed such as passports, citizenship certificates, or birth certificates.[87] In Vanuatu, the E-ID is only available to citizens and permanent residents, so stateless persons cannot apply for a digital ID and access the government services attached to it.[88]

In countries where digital IDs are expected to become the primary means of accessing government services, the absence of strong and rights-based data protection laws and policies may exacerbate exclusion for communities without secure digital access or already struggling with low birth registration rates, such as in Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Samoa.[89]

Summary Table

The table summarises the types of legal IDs available, whether their digital IDs are foundational or functional, whether they have data protection laws, the voluntary nature of their digital IDs, access to digital IDs for stateless persons or refugees, and the international core human rights treaties ratified in the Pacific sub-region.

CountryLegal ID (Type)Digital ID (Foundational/Functional)Domestic Laws & Policy Covering Digital IDData Protection LawDigital ID Mandatory?Access for Stateless/RefugeesIntl. Treaty Ratified (Data/Human Rights)
American SamoaBirth certificate and a personal identification card.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.OECD – G7 Mapping Exercise of Digital Identity Approaches.
AustraliaBirth registration, passport, myID digital ID.Foundational and functional.Yes: Digital ID Act 2024.Yes: Privacy Act 1988.NoNo in practice.ICCPR, CERD, CRC, CEDAW, CRPD.
Federated States of MicronesiaBirth certificate.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.CRC
FijiBirth certificate.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.CRC, 1954 Convention on Statelessness.
GuamBirth certificate in Guam.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.OECD – G7 Mapping Exercise of Digital Identity Approaches.
KiribatiBirth certificate.Not applicable.Not applicable.Yes: Data Protection Policy; Data Protection Act (2025).Not applicable.Not applicable.Statelessness Conventions, the CRC, and CEDAW.
Marshall IslandsBirth certificate.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.CRC
NauruBirth certificate.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, the CRC, and CEDAW
New ZealandNew Zealand or overseas Passport, driver’s license, or firearms license, RealMe digital ID.Functional and foundational.Yes: Digital Identity Services Trust Framework Act 202.3Yes: Privacy Act (2020.NoNoDigital Identity Working Group (DIWG).
Northern Mariana IslandsNorthern Mariana Identification Cards issued, Official Northern Marianas Descent Identification Card.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.OECD – G7 Mapping Exercise of Digital Identity Approaches.
PalauBirth certificate, Root Name System for non-citizens.Functional.Yes: Digital Residency Program Cyber Security Regulation.Yes: Privacy Act.NoNoGlobal Digital Compact framework.
Papua New GuineaBirth certificate and the National Identification (NID) card, SevisPass digital ID (yet to be rolled out).FoundationalYes: Digital ID Policy in itsYes: National Data Governance & DataNoNo1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol,ICCPR, ICESCR, ICERD, CRC, and CEDAW.
SamoaBirth certificate, National Digital Identification System (yet to be rolled out).NoneYes: National Digital Identification Act. (2024).Yes: National Digital Identification Act. (2024).NoNo1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, the ICCPR, CRC, and CEDAW.
Solomon IslandsBirth certificate.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, ICESCR, ICERD, CRC, and CEDAW.
TongaNational ID card.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.ICERD, CRC.
TuvaluBirth certificate.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.Not applicable.1951 Refugee Convention, CEDAW, CRC, CRPD.
VanuatuNational ID card, E-ID.Foundational.Yes: Vanuatu National Identity Card Policy, Civil Registration and Identity Management Act (2021) and the Vanuatu National Identity Act. (2021).Yes: Vanuatu National Data Protection and Privacy Policy (2023).NoNoCRC, ICCPR.
1.^

 ‘An Inclusive Digital Identity Platform in Fiji’ (UN Capital Development Fund 2021) <https://cenfri.org/wp-content/uploads/2021-Pacific-Fiji-digital-ID-country-diagnostic.pdf> accessed 21 November 2025.

2.^

 ‘Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Palau | Statistics for Development Division’ <https://psro.dataforall.org/sites/default/files/2024-10/Palau%20CRVS_Palau_2021.pdf> accessed 21 November 2025.

3.^

‘Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Nauru | Statistics for Development Division’ <https://sdd.spc.int/digital_library/civil-registration-and-vital-statistics-nauru> accessed 19 November 2025. [please cite webpage and link to pdf is not working].

4.^

‘Committee on the Rights of the Child, Concluding Observations on the Combined Second to Fourth Periodic Reports of Samoa’, (2016) CRC/C/WSM/CO/2-4 <https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/g16/150/58/pdf/g1615058.pdf> accessed 21 November 2025; ‘Strengthening the Birth Registration System in Samoa’ (UNDP) <https://www.undp.org/samoa/publications/strengthening-birth-registration-system-samoa> accessed 20 November 2025.

5.^

‘Situation Analysis of Children Solomon Islands’ (UNICEF 2017) <https://www.unicef.org/pacificislands/media/1221/file/Situation-Analysis-of-Children-Solomon-Islands.pdf> accessed 21 November 2025; ‘Teenage Mothers in the Solomon Islands Are Being Shunned by Their Communities’ (SBS News, 3 June 2019) <https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/teenage-mothers-in-the-solomon-islands-are-being-shunned-by-their-communities/6otkui26j> accessed 21 November 2025; ‘Concluding Observations on the 2nd and 3rd Periodic Reports of the Solomon Islands ’ <https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/1476617?ln=ar&v=pdf> accessed 21 November 2025.

6.^

‘National Identification Card – Transparency International PNG’ <https://transparencypng.org.pg/national-identification-card/> accessed 20 November 2025.

7.^

 Annis Finau, ‘Nationality Identity Card Act’. [more details required such as dates]

8.^

 Republic of Vanuatu, ‘Laws of Republic of Vanuatu: Citizenship’ <https://vancitizenship.gov.vu/images/pdf/20220913191325519.pdf>.

9.^

‘American Samoa | U.S. Department of the Interior’ (29 July 2024) <https://www.doi.gov/oia/islands/american-samoa> accessed 21 November 2025.

10.^

‘8 FAM 302.2 ACQUISITION BY BIRTH IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS’ <https://fam.state.gov/fam/08fam/08fam030202.html> accessed 20 November 2025; H.B. 17-57 An Act To Establish a Northern Marianas Descent Registry Within the Office of the Commonwealth Election Commission 2011.

11.^

‘New Zealand Passports | Certificate of Identity or Refugee Travel Document’ <https://www.passports.govt.nz/what-you-need-for-your-application/certificate-of-identity-or-refugee-travel-document> accessed 21 November 2025.

13.^

 ‘Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Federated States of Micronesia | Statistics for Development Division’ <https://sdd.spc.int/digital_library/civil-registration-and-vital-statistics-federated-states-micronesia> accessed 19 November 2025.

14.^

‘Micronesia’ (United States Department of State) <https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/micronesia/> accessed 19 November 2025.

15.^

 ‘eBDM’ <https://bdm.digital.gov.fj/Eservices/BirthCertificateDetails> accessed 19 November 2025.

16.^

 ‘Medical Records’ (GMHA) <https://www.gmha.org/guide/medical-records/> accessed 19 November 2025.

17.^

 ‘8 FAM 302.3 ACQUISITION BY BIRTH IN GUAM ON OR AFTER DECEMBER 24, 1952’ <https://fam.state.gov/fam/08fam/08fam030203.html> accessed 19 November 2025.

18.^

 ‘Child Protection Case Study: Partnerships Promoting High Birth Registration in Kiribati’ (UNICEF) <https://www.unicef.org/pacificislands/media/991/file/Case-Study-Kiribati.pdf> accessed 19 November 2025.

19.^

 ‘Kiribati: Overview of Citizenship and Statelessness - Fact Sheet’ (UNHCR 2021) <https://www.unhcr.org/au/sites/en-au/files/legacy-pdf/638591234.pdf> accessed 19 November 2025.

20.^

 ‘Marshall Islands | Get Every One in the Picture’ <https://crvs.unescap.org/country/marshall-islands> accessed 19 November 2025.

21.^

‘Marshall Islands: Citizenship Act 1984’ (Refworld) <https://www.refworld.org/legal/legislation/natlegbod/1984/en/123580> accessed 19 November 2025.

22.^

 ‘Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Nauru | Statistics for Development Division’ (n 3).

23.^

 ‘Nauru: Overview of Citizenship and Statelessness - Fact Sheet’ (UNHCR 2020) <https://www.unhcr.org/au/sites/en-au/files/legacy-pdf/6385927e4.pdf> accessed 19 November 2025.

24.^

 ‘New Zealand Passports | Certificate of Identity or Refugee Travel Document’ (n 11).

25.^

 ‘New Zealand Passports | What You Need for Your Application’ <https://www.passports.govt.nz/what-you-need-for-your-application> accessed 20 November 2025; ‘Before You Apply for a Firearms Licence | Firearms Safety Authority New Zealand’ <https://www.firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz/manage-and-apply/firearms-licence/you-apply-firearms-licence> accessed 20 November 2025; NZ Transport Agency, ‘Identification | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi’ <https://nzta.govt.nz/driver-licences/getting-a-licence/identification> accessed 20 November 2025.

26.^

 ‘8 FAM 302.2 ACQUISITION BY BIRTH IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS’ (n 10).

27.^

 H.B. 17-57 An Act To Establish a Northern Marianas Descent Registry Within the Office of the Commonwealth Election Commission 2011.

28.^

 ‘Article XII, Northern Mariana Islands Constitution’ (Ballotpedia) <https://ballotpedia.org/Article_XII,_Northern_Mariana_Islands_Constitution> accessed 20 November 2025.

29.^

 Public Law No. 19-58 - § 2208. Issuance of Licenses and Identification Cards. 2016.

30.^

 ‘Palau | Get Every One in the Picture’ <https://crvs.unescap.org/country/palau> accessed 20 November 2025.

31.^

 ‘Palau: Overview of Citizenship and Statelessness - Fact Sheet’ (UNHCR 2020) <https://www.unhcr.org/au/sites/en-au/files/legacy-pdf/63858e984.pdf> accessed 20 November 2025.

32.^

 ‘Registration Info – PAPUA NEW GUINEA CIVIL AND IDENTITY REGISTRY’ <https://pngcir.gov.pg/nid-registration-information/> accessed 20 November 2025.

33.^

 ‘National Identification Card – Transparency International PNG’ (n 6).

34.^

 ‘Strengthening the Birth Registration System in Samoa’ (n 4).

35.^

 ‘Citizenship Services’ (Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet) <https://mpmc.gov.ws/divisions/immigration/citizenship-services/> accessed 20 November 2025.

36.^

 ‘Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Solomon Islands | Statistics for Development Division’ <https://sdd.spc.int/digital_library/civil-registration-and-vital-statistics-solomon-islands> accessed 20 November 2025.

37.^

‘Obtain Solomon Islands Citizenship – My SIG Services Portal’ <https://solomons.gov.sb/ministry-of-home-affairs/essential-services/obtain-solomon-islands-citizenship/> accessed 20 November 2025.

38.^

 ‘Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Tonga | Statistics for Development Division’ <https://sdd.spc.int/digital_library/civil-registration-and-vital-statistics-tonga> accessed 20 November 2025.

39.^

 Finau (n 7).

40.^

 Tuvalu: Births Deaths Marriages Registration Act 1968 (Revised 2022) 2022 (CAP 2210).

41.^

 ‘Tuvalu: Overview of Citizenship and Statelessness - Fact Sheet’ (UNHCR 2020) <https://www.unhcr.org/au/sites/en-au/files/legacy-pdf/638592c14.pdf> accessed 20 November 2025.

42.^

 ‘National ID Cards and E-ID’ <https://crvsd.gov.vu/services/national-id-cards-and-e-id> accessed 20 November 2025.

43.^

 Republic of Vanuatu (n 8).

44.^

 ‘RealMe® | NZ Digital Government’ <https://www.digital.govt.nz/products-and-services/products-and-services-a-z/realme> accessed 5 December 2025; The World Bank ID4D, ‘Types of ID Systems | Identification for Development’ <https://id4d.worldbank.org/guide/types-id-systems>.

45.^

 ‘Vanuatu National Identity Card Policy’ <https://crvsd.gov.vu/images/legislation-policies/Vanuatu%20National%20Identity%20Card%20Policy.pdf> accessed 5 December 2025.

46.^

 Nigel Bowen, ‘Digital ID: What It Is and What It Means for You’ (CHOICE, 2 February 2024) <https://www.choice.com.au/data-protection-and-privacy/data-collection-and-use/who-has-your-data/articles/digital-id-in-australia> accessed 5 December 2025.

47.^

 ‘Marshall Islands - Digital Republic of the Marshall Islands Project’ (World Bank) <https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/639311629138295811> accessed 5 December 2025; ‘The Digital Government Master Plan of Kiribati | Digital Watch Observatory’ <https://dig.watch/resource/the-digital-government-master-plan-of-kiribati> accessed 5 December 2025.

48.^

 Ayang Macdonald, ‘PNG Says Soon-to-Launch Digital ID Will Grow GDP, Remove Trade Barriers | Biometric Update’ (8 April 2025) <https://www.biometricupdate.com/202504/png-says-soon-to-launch-digital-id-will-grow-gdp-remove-trade-barriers> accessed 5 December 2025.

49.^

 Samoa: National Digital Identification Act 2024 2024.

50.^

 ‘Tongan Public Services Set for Digital Upgrade’ (World Bank) <https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2019/05/10/tongan-public-services-set-for-digital-upgrade> accessed 5 December 2025; ‘Nauru National Digital Transformation Strategy 2025-2030’ <https://www.nauru.gov.nr/media/204028/nndts_final_version_2025.pdf> accessed 5 December 2025.

51.^

 ‘Tuvalu: The Digital Nation State Programme | Global Forum on Migration and Development’ <https://www.gfmd.org/pfp/ppd/19211> accessed 5 December 2025.

52.^

 The World Bank ID4D (n 45).

53.^

 Peter Wulf and Sonya Sampson, ‘Digital Federated States of Micronesia Project - Digital FSM Environmental and Social Management Plan’ (2019) <https://tci.gov.fm/documents/communications/digitalfsm/digital-fsm-esmp-final-2019.pdf>.

54.^

 ‘Fiji’s National Digital Identification Program Will Foster Connectivity and Economic Integration - Alliance for Financial Inclusion’ (22 November 2024) <https://www.afi-global.org/news/fijis-national-digital-identification-program-will-foster-connectivity-and-economic-integration/> accessed 21 November 2025; RBF Admin, ‘Press Release No 03 - Update on Fiji’s National Identification (ID) Project’ (Reserve Bank of Fiji, 28 February 2025) <https://www.rbf.gov.fj/press-release-no-03-update-on-fijis-national-digital-identification-ndid-project/> accessed 21 November 2025.

55.^

 ‘The Digital Government Master Plan of Kiribati | Digital Watch Observatory’ (n 48).

56.^

 ‘Marshall Islands - Digital Republic of the Marshall Islands Project’ (World Bank) <https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/639311629138295811> accessed 5 December 2025.

57.^

 ‘Nauru National Digital Transformation Strategy 2025-2030’ (n 51).

58.^

 ‘How to Create a RealMe Account’ (Immigration New Zealand) <https://www.immigration.govt.nz/process-to-apply/applying-for-a-visa/applying-online/how-to-create-a-realme-account/> accessed 5 December 2025; ‘RealMe® | NZ Digital Government’ (n 45).

59.^

 ‘The Digital Residency Program of the Pacific Island Nation of Palau’ (OODAloop, 6 June 2024) <https://oodaloop.com/analysis/archive/the-digital-residency-program-of-the-pacific-island-nation-of-palau/> accessed 5 December 2025.

60.^

 Joel R McConvey, ‘Papua New Guinea Launches Integration Exercise for National Digital Identity | Biometric Update’ (1 May 2025) <https://www.biometricupdate.com/202505/papua-new-guinea-launches-integration-exercise-for-national-digital-identity> accessed 5 December 2025.

61.^

 Samoa: National Digital Identification Act 2024.

62.^

 Ayang Macdonald, ‘Samoa National Digital ID Project Seeks Services of Advisory Firm | Biometric Update’ (8 April 2025) <https://www.biometricupdate.com/202504/samoa-national-digital-id-project-seeks-services-of-advisory-firm> accessed 5 December 2025.

63.^

 ‘Tongan Public Services Set for Digital Upgrade’ (n 51).

64.^

 ‘Tuvalu: The Digital Nation State Programme | Global Forum on Migration and Development’ (n 52).

65.^

 ‘Vanuatu National Identity Card Policy’ (n 46).

66.^

‘Digital Identity Services Trust Framework Act 2023 No 13, Public Act Contents – New Zealand Legislation’ <https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2023/0013/latest/LMS459583.html> accessed 5 December 2025; Digital ID Act 2024 2024.

67.^

‘Australia’s Digital ID System | Department of Finance’ <https://www.finance.gov.au/government/australias-digital-id-system> accessed 5 December 2025; ‘RealMe® | NZ Digital Government’ (n 45).

68.^

‘Vanuatu National Identity Card Policy’ (n 46); ‘About’ <https://crvsd.gov.vu/about> accessed 5 December 2025; ‘Vanuatu National CRVS Policy’ <https://moia.gov.vu/images/moia/PDF%20File/Vanuatu%20National%20CRVS%20Policy.pdf> accessed 5 December 2025.

69.^

Samoa: National Digital Identification Act 2024.

71.^

‘The Digital Government Master Plan of Kiribati | Digital Watch Observatory’ (n 48).

72.^

ibid.

73.^

 Marshall Islands: Electronic Transactions Act 2025; Beschorner Natasha, ‘Project Information Document - Kiribati Digital Government Project - P176108’ (World Bank) <https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/099925002112228830> accessed 5 December 2025.

74.^

 ‘Nauru National Digital Transformation Strategy 2025-2030’ (n 51).

 

75.^

 Digital Residency Program Cyber Security Regulation 2023. [indicate jurisdiction]

 

76.^

OAIC, ‘Australia: The Privacy Act’ (OAIC, 10 March 2023) <https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-legislation/the-privacy-act> accessed 5 December 2025; ‘Privacy Act 2020 No 31 (as at 13 November 2025), Public Act Contents – New Zealand Legislation’ 202 <https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2020/0031/latest/LMS23223.html> accessed 5 December 2025.

77.^

Samoa: National Digital Identification Act 2024.

78.^

 Vanuatu: Data Protection and Privacy 2024.

79.^

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89.^

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