Members of the Pacific Islands Forum are making significant strides in the development of the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), a crucial initiative launched after the signing of the Agreement to Establish the Facility during the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting held in Solomon Islands in 2025. This landmark facility, supported by Forum Leaders, stands out as the first regional financing facility that is Pacific-led, Pacific-owned, and Pacific-managed, aimed specifically at bolstering climate and disaster resilience for communities in the Pacific that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
The PRF is particularly notable as it is the first international financial institution to be collectively owned by the member governments of the Pacific Islands Forum. This unprecedented approach represents a strategic move towards enhancing resilience in a region grappling with increasing ecological challenges.
Currently, senior officials from various Forum member countries are gathering in Fiji for the inaugural PRF programming co-design workshop. This meeting marks the start of extensive consultations that will help define the operational modalities and implementation strategies of the Facility. The co-design process will engage member governments while also incorporating feedback from regional and national stakeholders, reflecting the PRF’s commitment to developing inclusive solutions that prioritize Pacific voices and lived experiences.
Following this initial workshop, a PRF Legal and Financial Rules Workshop is planned, as member countries work diligently to operationalize this critical Facility. The collective effort showcased by the Pacific Islands Forum underscores a commitment to tackling climate change and fostering a more resilient future for the Pacific Islands through collaboration and shared governance.
This initiative not only represents a united front against climate challenges but also inspires hope for the future of the Pacific Islands, emphasizing the power of local solutions and community-driven approaches in addressing global issues.