Pacific women leaders have gathered for the 2026 Pacific Islands Forum Women Leaders Meeting (PIFWLM), with ministers and senior representatives focusing on strengthening women’s influence in decision-making and ensuring regional policies deliver tangible benefits for women, youth, persons with disabilities and vulnerable communities.
The meeting, which begins today, follows the 2026 Pacific Islands Forum Women Leaders Ministerial Retreat, where Forum Ministers responsible for Women reflected on the future of leadership in the Blue Pacific under the theme “Leading Together: Strengthening Collective Voice, Agency, and Connection.”
The retreat examined how inclusive and values-based leadership can help advance the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and strengthen regional efforts to achieve gender equality and social inclusion.
Ministers used the retreat to share experiences, discuss barriers facing women in leadership, and identify practical measures to increase women’s participation and influence across national, regional and international decision-making platforms.
Discussions also highlighted the importance of intergenerational leadership, mentorship and collaboration, with leaders stressing the need to ensure women’s voices remain central to shaping the region’s future.
The annual Pacific Islands Forum Women Leaders Meeting serves as a key platform bringing together women leaders and male champions from Forum Island countries to address regional priorities and provide direct advice to Pacific leaders.
This year’s meeting will be chaired by John Maneniaru.
The PIFWLM has become an important mechanism within the Pacific Islands Forum architecture, providing a direct channel for women leaders to influence regional policy discussions and strengthen outcomes for women and girls across the Pacific.
Its mandate includes discussing regional policy and development issues, strengthening regional standards on gender equality, addressing gender-related challenges affecting Forum priorities, and supporting the implementation of international commitments.
The meeting also complements the Triennial Conference of Pacific Women and the Meeting of Ministers for Women by providing a more regular avenue for engagement with Forum Leaders.
Heads of State, ministers and government representatives from Forum member countries are attending the meeting, alongside representatives from associated Pacific Islands Forum members and the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP).
A major focus of this year’s discussions will be strengthening economic resilience as Pacific countries continue to deal with the impacts of the global energy crisis.
Leaders will examine ways to ensure regional responses reach those most affected, including women, young people, persons with disabilities and communities in Smaller Island States, in line with commitments made under the revitalised Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration (PLGED).
Delegates are also expected to focus on moving beyond policy commitments towards more targeted action and results-driven decision-making.
Priority discussions will include improving prevention and responses to gender-based violence, enhancing women’s health outcomes, strengthening disability inclusion across regional programmes, and advancing gender equality and social inclusion mainstreaming throughout government and regional institutions.
The meeting comes as Pacific governments face increasing pressure to address persistent gender gaps in political representation, economic participation and access to essential services, while also responding to emerging challenges linked to climate change, economic shocks and social inequality.
Forum officials say the gathering provides an opportunity for leaders to collectively identify solutions and strengthen regional cooperation on issues affecting women and girls across the Pacific.
As discussions get underway, leaders are expected to reinforce the message that gender equality is not a standalone issue but a critical component of achieving the broader development ambitions outlined in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
The outcomes of the meeting are expected to inform broader Pacific Islands Forum discussions and provide recommendations aimed at strengthening gender equality, social inclusion and leadership opportunities across the region.
