Pacific Islands Forum Trade Ministers have endorsed a new five-year Pacific Aid-for-Trade Strategy, reaffirming the region’s commitment to using trade to drive economic development and strengthen resilience.
In the foreword to the Pacific Aid-for-Trade Strategy (PAfTS) 2026–2030, Forum Secretary General, Baron Waqa said the strategy was endorsed by Trade Ministers on 18 July 2025, reflecting the continued importance of aid-for-trade across the Blue Pacific.
“The Ministers’ decision underscores the continued importance of aid-for-trade in advancing regional economic development and strengthening resilience across our Blue Pacific region,” he said.
Waqa said the region faces an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving global trade and development environment, making coordinated efforts to address trade-related constraints critical.
“In an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving global trade and development landscape, addressing trade-related constraints through coordinated efforts and targeted implementation of regional priorities remains critical to facilitating the integration of Forum Members into the global economy.”
He said the new strategy builds on the 2020–2025 framework and reaffirms Forum Members’ commitment to strengthening trade as a driver of sustainable and resilient economic development, while recognising the links between trade and the environment.
Waqa said the strategy supports implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent through the Pacific Roadmap for Economic Development (PRED), with a focus on deepening and diversifying markets and increasing trade, export and investment flows between Pacific Island countries and international markets.
He said the strategy’s success will depend on coordinated action by Forum Members, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, development partners and implementing partners.
“As Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, I am honoured to introduce this next iteration of the Pacific Aid-for-Trade Strategy. While concise in form, it provides a strategic and practical framework to guide collective action over the period 2026–2030,” he said.
Waqa also acknowledged the contribution of stakeholders involved in developing the strategy.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to all stakeholders for their continued partnership and commitment to the effective implementation of the PAfTS 2026–2030 in support of a resilient and prosperous Blue Pacific,” he said.
