Pacific Islands Forum

Today marks the final day of the World Trade Organisation’s 14th Ministerial Conference. We had a brief opportunity to catch up with Fiji’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Sakiasi R. Ditoka, just before a plenary session. The Minister shared insights on WTO reforms, a key priority throughout the ministerial discussions and Fiji’s interventions. #OneBluePacific #Regionalism #PacificTrade

Pacific Trade Ministers and senior officials who are members of the World Trade Organisation are participating in the 14th Ministerial Conference this week. Throughout the week, the Pacific group has worked to articulate and advance a unified set of Pacific trade priorities, ensuring the region’s voice is clearly positioned within the global trade dialogue. #OneBluePacific #PacificTrade

#WTO #MC14 As the World Trade Organization - WTO 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) draws to a close, Day three featured Pacific Trade Ministers and senior officials delivering statements on key regional priorities, including Fisheries Subsidies, WTO reform, Electronic Commerce (e-commerce), Agriculture, and Development leading to the final outcomes of the meeting. The Conference officially concludes on 29 March. #OneBluePacific #Regionalism #PacificTrade

#WTO #MC14 Updates! Pacific Group statements delivered during the World Trade Organisation (WTO) 14th Ministerial Conference plenary sessions. The Pacific statement on the Draft Ministerial Statement and Work Plan for WTO reform was delivered by H.E. Titilupe Fanetupouvava'u Tu’ivakano, High Commissioner of Tonga to the United Kingdom. The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group statement on the same agenda item was delivered by Hon. Fata Ryan Schuster, Samoa’s Minister for Commerce, Industry and Labour. Janice Ashwin, Chief Trade Officer at the Solomon Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, delivered the Pacific statement on the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce (e-commerce). Stay tuned for more updates! #OneBluePacific #Regionalism #PacificTrade

#WTO #MC14 Updates! Pacific delegations convene daily coordination briefings in the margins of the World Trade Organization (WTO) 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, Cameroon. A central priority for MC14 is advancing WTO reform to ensure the institution remains relevant, inclusive, development oriented and responsive to the trade needs of its members. For Pacific members, reform must not undermine their rights to consensus decision making and to special and deferential treatment for developing countries. The reforms must meet development needs, address capacity constraints, strengthen effective participation, and deliver equitable outcomes within the global trading system. Fisheries subsidies remain a key regional priority. Pacific members are seeking a clear Ministerial outcome at MC14 to sustain negotiating momentum and advance additional disciplines on overcapacity and overfishing, supporting ocean sustainability, safeguarding livelihoods, and reinforcing the long-term interests of the Blue Pacific. The WTO comprises 166 members and convenes Ministerial Conferences once every two years. #OneBluePacific #Regionalism #PacificTrade

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