Pacific Islands Forum

Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Baron Divavesi Waqa, is in Nauru at the invitation of the Government to join the commemoration of Constitution Day. Secretary General Waqa joined President David Adeang and local leaders in congratulating the people of Nauru, noting that the occasion reflects the country’s enduring commitment to democracy, good governance, and national unity. As a valued Forum Member, Nauru continues to play an active role in advancing shared regional priorities through the Pacific Islands Forum and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. At the courtesy call meeting, President Adeang and Secretary General Waqa also discussed key regional issues, including the growing fuel crisis and the recent invocation of the Biketawa Declaration by Forum Members as a mechanism for collective regional coordination and response. #OneBluePacific #PIF #regionalism #biketawadeclaration

The 4th Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) Deputy Heads of Agencies convened on May 14 to advance key regional priorities ahead of next week’s CROP Heads meeting. Key discussions included updates on the CROP Taskforce on the Middle East crisis, including considerations on the invocation of the Biketawa Declaration in response to the emerging energy crisis affecting the Pacific. Consultations with regional stakeholders remain ongoing to ensure Pacific Islands Forum Leaders receive informed and inclusive recommendations on regional response mechanisms. The meeting also reviewed progress on implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, including outcomes from the recent regional Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) workshop. #OneBluePacific #Regionalism #BiketawaDeclaration #CROP Read more: forumsec.org/sites/default/…

Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Members today received a briefing on the invocation of the Biketawa Declaration to support a coordinated regional response to the emerging energy crisis affecting the Blue Pacific. Forum Leaders endorsed the activation of the regional crisis mechanism, with ongoing engagement and consultations across the region to ensure recommendations on the regional response developed for Leaders are inclusive, consultative, and responsive to regional priorities. The briefing was convened ahead of the upcoming Special Forum Officials Meeting and Special Foreign Ministers Meeting, which will further consider the invocation of the Biketawa Declaration and progress on the regional response to the energy crisis. #OneBluePacific #Regionalism #BiketawaDeclaration Read more: forumsec.org/sites/default/…

Africa’s enormous potential is being constrained by an unfair international system. That must change. We must keep pressing for a system that gives Africa the voice, resources & representation it has long been denied.

Secretary General Baron Divavesi Waqa joined regional leaders in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, for the inaugural Melanesian Ocean Summit. Speaking during a plenary session, Secretary General Waqa underscored the ocean’s central place in Pacific identity, heritage, livelihoods, and economic opportunity. He reaffirmed that for Pacific peoples, the ocean is not only a resource, but home. The four-day high-level summit is being convened under the theme, “Ensuring Ocean Protection with Sustainable Ocean Economies.” Discussions focused on strengthening ocean protection, advancing sustainable ocean economies, and supporting regional commitments to conserve 30 percent of exclusive economic zones and sustainably manage 100 percent of ocean space by 2030. The Summit brought together Pacific Leaders, senior regional officials, and ocean advocates, including Prime Minister Hon James Marape of Papua New Guinea, Prime Minister Hon Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji, Prime Minister Hon Mark Brown of the Cook Islands, Prime Minister Hon Feleti Teo of Tuvalu, Prime Minister Hon Jotham Napat of Vanuatu, Prime Minister Lord Fatafehi Fakafanua of Tonga, UN Special Envoy for the Ocean Ambassador Peter Thomson, and Pacific Ocean Commissioner Dr Filimon Manoni. #OneBluePacific #regionalism #PIF #melanesianocean

The 4th Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM4) convened virtually today under the chairmanship of the Government of Tuvalu, bringing together Pacific Aviation Ministers and regional partners to discuss the future of aviation in the Blue Pacific. In his opening remarks, Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Divavesi Waqa commended the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) for its ongoing work in strengthening regional aviation safety and oversight, while highlighting aviation’s critical role in supporting economic resilience, tourism, trade, emergency response, and regional connectivity. Ministers discussed challenges facing the sector, including connectivity, safety oversight, workforce capacity, infrastructure, and financial sustainability, reaffirming the importance of coordinated regional solutions to ensure safe, resilient, accessible, and connected air services for Pacific communities. #OneBluePacific #regionalism #PASO #pif

[RE-ADVERTISED] WORK WITH US! The Pacific Islands Forum invites suitably experienced and qualified candidates to apply for the position of Team Leader - Governance. For more information and to apply, visit: careers.forumsec.org/job/readvertis… #OneBluePacific #Regionalism

The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) has invoked the Biketawa Declaration to support a coordinated regional response to the emerging energy crisis affecting the Pacific region. To inform this process, the PIF Secretariat is engaging with key sectors and regional partners to shape a comprehensive response to the impacts of the crisis for consideration by PIF Leaders. PIFS Director Governance and Engagement, Dr Salome Taufa, attended the Sixth Pacific Regional Energy and Transport Ministers Meeting (PRETMM6) in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea from 4-8 May. During a Partners Dialogue, Dr Taufa briefed Joint Energy and Transport Ministers on upcoming Forum consultations, including Ministerial engagements and coordination with Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) agencies, to assess cross-sector impacts and shape a coordinated regional response. More: forumsec.org/publications/r… #OneBluePacific #Regionalism #BiketawaDelaration Photo credit: @spc_cps

MEDIA RELEASE: Forum Leaders Invoke Biketawa Declaration 8th May, 2026 Suva, Fiji- Pacific Islands Forum Leaders have invoked the Biketawa Declaration to support a coordinated regional response to the emerging energy crisis affecting the Pacific region. Reaffirming Leaders commitment to act decisively and collectively in anticipation of worsening global conditions as the crisis in the Middle-East continues to disrupt fuel supply chains, Leaders have recognised the value in early-positioning and preparing the region to respond in a coordinated and effective manner to the emerging energy crisis. A coordinated member-led regional response mechanism will strengthen regional coordination, support timely decision-making, and help safeguard economic stability and essential services across the Pacific. Read full media release here: bit.ly/4ninJea

Security leaders from across the Blue Pacific gathered in Brisbane, Australia, for the 8th annual Joint Heads of Pacific Security (JHoPS) meeting bringing together heads of Police, Military, Customs, Immigration and Security agencies, to discuss strengthening cooperation to address transnational organised crime, disaster response, intelligence sharing, and regional interoperability in support of safer and more resilient Pacific communities. The meeting also highlighted the importance of Pacific-centred leadership and regional unity, with Pacific Islands Forum Deputy Secretary General, Esala Nayasi, reaffirming Leaders’ call for practical Pacific-led responses to emerging security challenges across the region. Security in the Pacific is a shared responsibility, grounded in partnership, governance, and collective action for the future of the Blue Pacific Continent. #OneBluePacific #iumitugeda

Our 2050 Regional Convening has come to an end, after 4 days of rich discussions focused on strengthening regional partnerships and collaboration across the Pacific. We witnessed presentations from our members; Tonga, Solomon Islands, and FSM as they showcased their country priorities and experiences, and were also treated to vibrant Marketplace Booths featuring PIFS, CROP agencies, members and partners, and discussions on next steps. As we farewell our members who return to their island homes, we gear up for the work ahead. #OneBluePacific #iumitugeda

Secretary General, Baron Divavesi Waqa, met this morning with the Pacific head of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Ms. Finau Heuifanga Leveni, to discuss strengthening cooperation on climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and humanitarian coordination. The discussions reaffirmed the longstanding partnership between PIFS and IFRC, including collaboration in regional initiatives such as the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific (FRDP), and the importance of inclusive, Pacific-led approaches that engage communities and civil society. #OneBluePacific #PIF #IFRC #regionalism

It was a momentous historical occasion for the #BluePacific with Australia and Fiji's presentation of instruments of ratification, enabling the Agreement to establish the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) going into force. #OneBluePacific #PIF #iumitugeda #ClimateFinance

Media Release: Australia and Fiji Ratify Pacific Resilience Facility Treaty, Triggering Entry into Force 06 May 2026 Suva, Fiji: In a historic milestone for Pacific regional climate action and resilience, the Agreement to Establish the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF Treaty) officially entered into force today following the joint presentation of instruments of ratification by Australia and Fiji in Suva. The instruments were deposited with the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretary General, Baron Divavesi Waqa, by Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon. Penny Wong, alongside Hon. Sakiasi Ditoka, Fiji’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade. “Today marks a defining milestone and decisive step forward in our region’s collective journey in securing a resilient future for our Blue Pacific region,” said Secretary General Waqa. Read full media release here: forumsec.org/publications/r… #OneBluePacific #Regionalism #PRF #ClimateFinance #PacificLeadership

Lolita Gibbons of the Palau Conservation Society highlights the vital role of data, from national to regional levels, in shaping informed decisions by our leaders. Lolita is attending the 2050 Regional Convening this week at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva. #OneBluePacific #iumitugeda

The Agreement establishing the Pacific Resilience Facility has officially entered into force, with Australia and Fiji jointly presenting their instruments of ratification today in Suva. Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Honourable Penny Wong, and Fiji’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Honourable Sakiasi Ditoka, presented their instruments of ratification to Secretary General Baron Divavesi Waqa at the Forum Secretariat, witnessed by Suva-based Pacific diplomats, Australian and Fiji government officials, PIFS staff, and members of the media. The PRF is a Pacific-led, Pacific-owned, climate and disaster resilience financing facility, designed by the Pacific region, for Pacific communities who stand at the frontline of climate change. Congratulations to all Pacific Islands Forum Members and the peoples of the Blue Pacific Continent! #OneBluePacific #PIF #PRF

Secretary General, Baron Divavesi Waqa, met with three Swiss Ambassadors, H.E. Ms. Barbara Gonzenbach, H.E. Viktor Vavricka, and Dr. Nicolas Bruhl, each respectively accredited to the countries across the Pacific region, this morning at the Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji. Discussions highlighted the need for partnerships focused on climate resilience and accessible finance, addressing persistent trade and market access barriers, emerging security issues, and preparations towards the Pacific pre-COP 31. The Secretary General welcomed Switzerland’s continued support to the PIF Members and the Pacific Trade and Investment (PT&I) Europe Office in Geneva, highlighting the strategic value of leveraging the PIF presence to effectively advocate for Pacific priorities across Europe. He also took the opportunity to encourage Switzerland to consider the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) and the Ocean of Peace Declaration as tangible avenues for supporting regional priorities. #OneBluePacific #PIF #PRF #PreCOP

Deputy Secretary General (Strategic Policy & Programmes), Esala Nayasi, met with the Ambassador of the Netherlands, His Excellency, Mr. Ard van der Vorst, today at the Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji. Mr. Ard van der Vorst, who has been resident in Wellington since taking up his posting to New Zealand in 2022, is also accredited to the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu. Deputy Secretary General Nayasi and the Ambassador discussed areas of mutual interest, including current work at the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) on a new partnership mechanism as part of the Review of the Regional Architecture. The Netherlands’ contributions to improving water security in the Pacific region was also discussed. An update on the Forum Secretariat's preparations for the PIFLM55 in Palau, as well as the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), was also on the meeting agenda. #PIF #piflm #OneBluePacific

Secretary General, Baron Divavesi Waqa, welcomed Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, and Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, the Hon Pat Conroy MP, to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji, for bilateral discussions. #OneBluePacific #iumitugeda