The Pacific Islands Forum Officials Committee (FOC) successfully concluded its 2024 Budget Session, held in Suva, Fiji on 12 – 13 December.
Chaired by Niue, the session brought together Forum Members to agree on the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat’s (PIFS) strategic workplan and budget for 2025.
The meeting reaffirmed the importance of navigating the region’s complex and evolving geopolitical landscape. Forum Officials emphasized the need for clear prioritisation, sequencing, and stronger member engagement to ensure the Secretariat remains focused on delivering strategic, fit-for-purpose support to its Members under the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific.
Speaking to the strategic outlook, the Cook Islands High Commissioner to Fiji Jim Armistead underscored the importance of balancing responses to regional challenges with available capacity and resources.
“We’re at a critical juncture for regionalism, and the Review of the Regional Architecture (RRA) remains a central deliverable. Completing this review provides the platform for more targeted conversations, including on regional security and human development. It’s time to ensure that the Forum is equipped with the tools to respond to emerging challenges.”
The Committee acknowledged the critical work undertaken throughout the year by the various member subcommittees to advance key priorities, including regional security, institutional performance, and implementation of the 2050 Strategy.
Key initiatives for 2025 include advancing the Partnership and Engagement Mechanism to strengthen relationships with Dialogue Partners and external stakeholders, finalising the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning systems and advancing the PIFS Strategic Plan and Organisational Review. Members reiterated the importance of building on existing workstreams to ensure consistency and avoid duplication, with the RRA identified as a key foundation for further progress.
Reflecting on prioritisation and resourcing, the Cook Islands called for more focus on outcomes-driven delivery, particularly in relation to how the Secretariat engages with members.
“The Organisation Review must deliver a Secretariat that is performance-driven, responsive to member needs, and able to deliver on Forum Leaders’ decisions. This includes ensuring that resources are aligned with priority areas and that the Secretariat reflects the collective interests of all Forum Members.”
Smaller Island States further called for renewed attention to SIS-specific outcomes in 2025, including greater utilisation of the SIS Development Fund through flexible funding mechanisms to better address the unique development needs of the Group.
The Committee therefore highlighted the need for long-term financial sustainability in the context of the Suva Agreement, with Members welcoming the planned review of the Sustainable Funding Strategy (SFS) as part of ongoing organisational reforms.
In preparation for 2025 and the nation’s 60th anniversary of Self-Government, the Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration will recalibrate its foreign policy and strengthen engagement across the Pacific Council of Regional Organisations (CROP) to sustain excellence in regional policy development and implementation.
“As part of the Forum Troika, we remain committed to high-level engagement, particularly as we advance the next phase of the RRA with tangible outcomes expected at the Leaders’ Meeting in Solomon Islands next September,” said Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Immigration,Tepaeru Herrmann.
The Committee also acknowledged the significant contributions ofJames Movick as he concludes his tenure as Director of the Pacific Fusion Centre, commending his leadership and dedication to strengthening regional security coordination.
The meeting, chaired by Niue, was supported by the leadership of Secretary General Baron Waqa and Deputy Secretary General Desna Solofa.
