Strengthening the voices of Pacific nations on both international and domestic platforms is crucial for advancing priorities set by the Pacific Islands Forum (PIFS) and facilitating positive community impact. The Forum is implementing new mechanisms aimed at enhancing Pacific representation in global organizations, which is essential for effective advocacy and policy influence.
Baron Waqa, the Secretary-General of the Forum, emphasized the importance of having an increased Pacific presence in international forums. He stated, “It aligns with broader regional goals to have people-driven engagement and representation.”
To further these initiatives, the Forum has announced a new 2050 Engagement and Advocacy Plan designed to unify communication efforts. This plan will involve collaboration with regional media to increase awareness of the Forum’s priorities and objectives. Waqa highlighted that the strategy includes developing tools such as champions and messaging guides to facilitate coordinated advocacy, ensuring that the work of the Forum is clearly understood and supported by local communities.
The establishment of regional media partnerships is also significant, as it aims to bridge the information gap between leaders and citizens. This initiative supports transparency and accountability while projecting the Pacific narrative on a global scale.
The Secretariat remains committed to operationalizing key projects that align with the Forum’s goals, with milestones planned for 2026. One notable project in development is the Climate-Based Resilience (CBR) project, which is set to launch a rapid payment initiative for vulnerable communities. Waqa noted that collaboration with the World Bank is strong, focusing on the prioritization of funding and staffing to enhance the project’s impact.
The upcoming media briefing is expected to provide more detailed updates on ongoing progress. This project aims to streamline climate finance delivery to those most in need, complementing larger frameworks for climate adaptation and disaster resilience.
Additionally, the Pacific Centre Leadership Initiative and other regional initiatives are moving into design and implementation phases, with plans set for 2026. Esala Nayasi, the Deputy Secretary General of the Forum, pointed out that these initiatives respond directly to calls for enhanced regionalism and political cooperation.
The focus of this strategy is to strengthen unity and collective action against external pressures, establishing a foundation for long-term impacts aligned with the 2050 Strategy. The commitment from regional leadership ensures that these efforts will receive high-level support and resource allocation moving forward. This proactive approach indicates a promising future for Pacific nations as they strive to elevate their voices globally.