Senior Pacific officials have assessed the growing energy crisis in the Middle East and its potential impact on Forum Island Countries as preparations intensify for the 2026 Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) later this month.
The Pacific Economic Sub-Committee (PESC) met in a hybrid format last week, chaired by Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Fiji, Joseph Ma’ahanua.
Officials held detailed discussions on the regional economic outlook, using scenario-based analysis to examine how the developing crisis in the Middle East could affect Pacific economies.
The discussions will help inform the Regional Response Mechanism, endorsed by Forum Foreign Ministers as the region’s coordinating framework for responding to the energy crisis following the activation of the Biketawa Declaration.
Senior officials also reviewed progress on a range of regional initiatives under the Pacific Roadmap on Economic Development(PRED).
These included updates on work to establish a Regional Fisheries Development Fund, development of the Pacific Regional Private Sector Strategy Implementation Plan, Pacific Quality Infrastructure Principles, climate finance initiatives, the Pacific Resilience Facility, the Public Financial Management Regional Coordination Mechanism, and the Strengthening Correspondent Banking Relationships in the Pacific Project.
The meeting also received updates on preparations and logistical arrangements for the 2026 Forum Economic Ministers Meeting, where regional leaders will consider key economic challenges and priorities facing the Pacific.
