The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) has opened its fifth Prioritisation Workshop (PW5), with Director-General Noan David Pakop urging Members to clearly define regional priorities to guide the Secretariat’s work programme and budget.
Opening the workshop last week, Pakop thanked the current Chair for steering the agency through a strong first half of the 2025–27 financial year and reaffirmed the Secretariat’s support for his leadership.
“May I, at the outset, thank the Chair for his excellent guidance since assuming the Chairmanship, and for the collective success that FFA has achieved in the first half of the 2025/27 financial year,” Pakop said.
He said the meeting follows a major regional milestone, noting, “Against the successful backdrop of the adoption of the South Pacific Albacore Management Procedure at WCPFC, I trust that you have all had a well-deserved break over the holidays.”
Pakop told Members the new year begins with pride in shared achievements but also with a clear understanding of the work ahead to safeguard fisheries for Pacific communities.
“As we begin this new year, we do so with much pride in our collective achievements as the FFA family, and mindful of the ongoing work required to continue protecting our people’s rights to a sustainable fishery that delivers the greatest possible social and economic benefits for our Blue Pacific region,” he said.
He described PW5 as a core part of FFA’s annual planning, stressing that clear priorities are critical for aligning Secretariat resources with Members’ needs.
“Getting this right is important, as it helps the Secretariat to understand, in a structured way, the collective priorities of our Members for the coming year, and to align our resources and efforts accordingly,” Pakop said.
The Director-General said the workshop also draw on early findings from the Country Partnership Agreement review process, which began last week.
“These discussions will help ensure that our regional priorities remain grounded in national realities,” he said.
Pakop noted that the prioritisation exercise links directly to wider reform efforts within FFA, including the Independent Refresh and Performance Review and the Strategic Plan Review and Development.
“Together, these processes are strengthening how the Secretariat positions itself to support Members more effectively and strategically,” he said.
He added that outcomes from PW5 will feed into the staff retreat and divisional planning in the coming weeks, helping ensure consistency between Member priorities and internal planning.
“As always, frank and constructive feedback is welcomed to ensure your Secretariat best serves your needs and priorities,” he said.
