Pacific Islands Forum

At the opening ceremony of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) 14th Ministerial conference in Yaounde, Cameroon, Samoa’s Minister for Commerce, Industry and Labour; and Trade Negotiations, Hon. Fata Ryan Schuster, formally deposited Samoa’s Instrument of Acceptance of the Fisheries Agreement to Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the WTO bringing the total number of members who have formally accepted the Fisheries Agreement to 119. Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Tonga are among the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) countries that have already deposited their instruments of acceptance for the Fisheries Agreement. Adopted in June 2022 at the WTO 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) in Geneva, the Fisheries Agreement enters into force once two-thirds of members deposit their Instruments of Acceptance with the WTO. This threshold was achieved on 15 September 2025. The Fisheries Agreement is the first WTO agreement focused on ocean sustainability, requiring members to formalise their commitment to prohibit harmful fisheries subsidies, a key factor in the widespread depletion of the world’s fish stocks. The Fisheries Agreement is only the second agreement reached at the WTO, since its inception in 1995. Trade ministers at MC14 are considering a draft decision to continue negotiations for additional disciplines on certain forms of fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing. #OneBluePacific #Regionalism #WTO #MC14 #WTOFisheriesAgreement

Talofa lava, Mālō e lelei, Halo olgeta, Bula Vinaka, from Yaounde! It’s Day two of the WTO 14th Ministerial meeting in Cameroon. Sharing a little recap of Day one of the Pacific WTO members engagements. Stay tuned for updates.

Wrapping up a long week dedicated to Forum Official Sub-Committee meetings, Pacific Islands Forum member officials gathered today for the final Sub-Committee meeting of the week, the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Officials received updates on progress in implementing the 2050 Strategy, work being done to align national priorities with regional mechanisms, and improving evidence and reporting to Leaders. The Progress of thematic advisory groups (TAGs) was also reviewed, along with the regional setup, governance, partnerships, and coordination between CROP agencies. The meeting also considered ongoing 2026 priorities and other emerging matters shaping the Blue Pacific vision. #bluepacificstrategy #iumitugeda #OneBluePacific

WORK WITH US! The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat invites suitably experienced and qualified individuals to apply for the position of SAFE Project Management Unit (PMU) Finance and Administration Officer (Consultant). The Finance and Administration Officer will support the financial, administrative, and operational management of SAFE Pacific, including budget monitoring, financial reporting, and coordination of administrative processes in line with PIFS and donor requirements. Closing Date: 15 April 2026 – 11.59pm (Fiji Time) ToR and submission details: tenders.net/dtp/forumsec/c…

In a long week dedicated to sub-committee meetings, Pacific Islands Forum member officials met yesterday for the Sub-Committee for Forum International Engagement and Advocacy (FIEAS). The sub-committee discussed updates on key international engagements for 2026, outcomes from recent global engagements as well as the regional selection of candidates for international bodies, which ensure the Pacific’s voice remains strong on the world stage. #regionalism #iumitugeda #OneBluePacific

This week, Secretary General Baron Divavesi Waqa was paid a courtesy call by the Non-Resident Ambassador of Türkiye to Fiji, H.E. Melih Karalar, who presented his letter of credentials. SG Waqa congratulated Ambassador Karalar on his new appointment and reaffirmed the Pacific’s commitment to a successful Pre-COP meeting in the region, emphasising the importance of boosting Pacific voices in global climate discussions. #partnerships

This week, Secretary General Baron Divavesi Waqa welcomed newly appointed Ambassador of Japan to Fiji, Nauru, and Tuvalu, H.E. Hiroshi Tajima, to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. SG Waqa acknowledged Japan's strong and longstanding partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum, and encouraged deepening cooperation through existing frameworks, particularly the PALM process and the implementation of the 2050 Strategy. #partnerships

WORK WITH US! The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat invites suitably experienced and qualified individuals to apply for the position of SAFE Project Management Unit (PMU) Procurement and Compliance Specialist (Consultant). The Procurement and Compliance Specialist will manage and support procurement processes for SAFE Pacific and ensure compliance with PIFS procedures and donor requirements, including contract management, documentation, and reporting. Closing Date: 15 April 2026 – 11.59pm (Fiji Time) ToR and submission details: tenders.net/dtp/forumsec/c…

MEDIA RELEASE: Pacific Ministers Position Regional Priorities For WTO 14th Ministerial Conference Yaoundé, Cameroon: Pacific Trade Ministers and senior officials convened in Yaoundé on the margins of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14), reinforcing a unified regional voice at the global Trade meeting. The meeting brought together the six Pacific WTO members represented by the Honourable Sakiasi Ditoka, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Fiji and the Honourable Fata Ryan Schuster, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour of Samoa, and senior government officials from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu. The meeting was chaired by the Honourable Fata Ryan Schuster and supported by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. Read full media release: forumsec.org/publications/r… #OneBluePacific #Regionalism #PacificTrade

WORK WITH US! The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat invites suitably experienced and qualified individuals to apply for the position of Pacific Beekeeping Enabling Environment (BEE) Coordinator (Consultant). The BEE Coordinator will lead the implementation of the BEE Project and coordinate the Pacific Apiculture Value Chain Initiative, ensuring effective delivery, stakeholder coordination, and compliance with donor and PIFS requirements. Closing Date: 18 April 2026 – 11.59pm (Fiji Time) ToR and submission details: tenders.net/dtp/forumsec/c…

Official Opening ceremony of the World Trade Organization (WTO) 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) held in Yaounde, Cameroon. The Ministerial meeting will conclude on 29 March 2026 and will be chaired by the Hon. Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, Cameroon's Minister of Trade. Pacific WTO members comprising of Ministers and senior officials are attending the conference. #OneBluePacific #Regionalism #PacificTrade

A Yaounde welcome for the delegates attending the World Trade Organisation 14th Ministerial Conference here in Cameroon. The Ministerial meeting be held from 26-29 March. #OneBluePacific #PacificTrade Stay tuned for updates from #MC14

The World Trade Organization’s 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) officially opens today in Yaoundé, Cameroon. On the margins of #MC14, Pacific Ministers and senior officials convened at the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Ministerial Meeting. The session included an interactive dialogue with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, focusing on shared priorities and cooperation among ACP members. Ministers and senior officials from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu were in attendance, reflecting strong Pacific engagement in the lead-up to formal negotiations. Stay tuned for more updates from Pacific delegations at #WTO #MC14 #OneBluePacific #Regionalism #PacificTrade

The World Trade Organization’s 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) officially opens from26–29 March 2026 in Yaounde, Cameroon. Trade Ministers from across the globe have gathered to address pressing challenges and opportunities shaping the multilateral trading system, while setting the course for the WTO’s future work. Ahead of formal proceedings, Pacific WTO members convened to finalise a consolidated regional position for MC14. Pacific Ministers and senior officials also participated in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Ministerial Meeting, which featured an interactive session with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, focusing on priorities for economies and collective engagement in the negotiations. #OneBluePacific #Regionalism #PacificTrade

The World Trade Organization (WTO) 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) will take place from 26–29 March in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Ahead of the Conference, Pacific Ministers and senior officials convened on 25 March for the Pacific WTO Trade Ministers Meeting. The meeting was chaired by Samoa’s Minister for Commerce, Industry and Labour, Honourable Fata Ryan Schuster. Stay tuned for more updates from #WTO #MC14. #OneBluePacific #Regionalism #iumitugeda #Trade

Pacific Islands Forum member officials met today for the 10th Pacific Economic Sub-Committee (PESC) Meeting. The sub-committee discussed the global economic outlook and navigating global shocks, progress under the Pacific Roadmap for Economic Development, and updated on strategic initiatives. #resourcesandeconomicdevelopment #iumitugeda #OneBluePacific

The Pacific Islands Forum Troika Review Committee will be a high-level, independent body tasked with reviewing recommendations from the High-Level Political Talanoa on regionalism and governance. Its core purpose will be to assess these recommendations, determine their feasibility and priority, and provide clear, actionable advice to Forum Troika Leaders on how they should be progressed. The committee is expected to take a strategic, region-wide perspective, ensuring that proposals align with the broader vision of the Pacific Islands Forum, including strengthening regional cooperation, governance structures, and the implementation of the 2050 Strategy. For more Information and to submit an Expression of Interest: forumsec.org/forum-troika-r…

The Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) has completed its first Regional Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Programming Co-Design Consultation, bringing together civil society organisations from across Forum Member Countries to help shape how community resilience grant programmes will be accessed and delivered to help communities at the front line of climate change. This follows the First PRF Programming Co-Design Consultation with Pacific Islands Forum Member Governments in February 2026, and paves the way for National Programming Consultations from late March to early May 2026, bringing the PRF one step closer to making Forum Leaders visions for communities to access climate finance a reality to ensure that no one is left behind. Opening the PRF CSO consultations, Ms. Esther O'Brien, Minister Counsellor for the Solomon Islands High Commission to Fiji representing the Forum Chair called on regional CSOs to stand together in this process, recognising their role not only as co-designers, but also co-implementors and co-advocates for PRF investors. Held from 17–19 March 2026 at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, the three-day consultation gave CSOs a voice in how the PRF's locally-led grant processes can be made accessible, agile, inclusive, culturally contextualised and responsive to the real climate and disaster resilience needs of Pacific communities. Acting Director Programmes & Initiatives, Mr. Denton Rarawa, called for the support, unity and solidarity of regional CSOs in this co-design process, “CSO’s play a vital role in the PRF, not only as co-designers, as co-implementors with communities, and also as co-advocates for PRF investors.” #PacificResilience

Pacific Islands Forum Member Officials met today for the Subcommittee on Regional Security (FSRS). Officials were given updates, by the Secretariat as well as the @PacFusionCentre team, led by Director Viliame Bovoro, on the evolving global security landscape, emerging risks and progress on key initiatives aimed at strengthening resilience across the Pacific. The FSRS plays a coordinating role within the Forum’s security architecture and helps guide initiatives like the Pacific Fusion Centre. Read the Pacific Security Outlook Report 2026: bit.ly/4bO1yHp #RegionalSecurity #iumitugeda #OneBluePacific