The Pacific Islands Forum is making significant strides toward enhancing regional resilience and economic development as Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa outlined ambitious goals during a press conference in Suva Monday.
Waqa reported strong progress in securing international support for the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), which recently received its first capitalisation funding from Japan, a vital step towards building a sustainable future for the region.
“We are advancing key Forum priorities,” Waqa said.
He emphasised the importance of cooperation with global partners to tackle the pressing challenges faced by the Pacific Islands.
He highlighted the recent success of the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) in securing its first capitalisation funding from Japan’s Government, amounting to 417 million yen( US$3 million). This, Waqa noted, marks a critical step in securing long-term regional resilience funding.
“We are discussing with Japan to rally G7 and G20 support for this Pacific-led resilience financing facility,” Waqa revealed.
He also stressed the importance of international backing in strengthening the region’s resilience infrastructure.
In a separate engagement with Japan, Waqa also outlined efforts to establish a dialogue mechanism between the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to advance joint partnerships and deliver on commitments made at the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM).
Looking ahead, Waqa confirmed that the Special Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) in Tonga later this month would consider vital regional documents, including the PRF Establishment Treaty and the Pacific Roadmap for Economic Development.
“The momentum continues,” he said, as the region prepares for the 2025 Korea-Pacific Islands Inter-Sessional Meeting and further discussions on the future of deep sea minerals.
“In February, the High-Level Talanoa on Deep Sea Minerals (DSM) convened at the Forum Secretariat in Suva, chaired by Tonga. Leaders from Palau, Nauru, Tuvalu and Ministerial representatives from across the region reaffirmed the need for continued dialogue while respecting diverse national positions,” he said.
Waqa also reported that the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, the Pacific Community, and UNDRR have signed a Letter of Cooperation aimed at enhancing regional disaster resilience.
On the topic of regional unity, Waqa reinforced the need for cooperation in fisheries management during the recent Honiara Summit and stood in solidarity with the Marshall Islands on Nuclear Remembrance Day.
“We continue advancing the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent,” he said, citing the Pacific Child Wellbeing Summit in partnership with UNICEF as another key initiative to ensure a bright future for the region’s youth.
Despite ongoing geopolitical shifts, Waqa emphasised that the Forum’s focus remains on economic resilience, connectivity, and regional security.
“While geopolitical shifts continue, we focus on economic resilience, connectivity, and regional security. Strengthening the Forum family through political dialogue and collective action remains our top priority,” SG Waqa said.
