Regional leaders convened at the 9th Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development to emphasize the crucial need for enhanced water and energy security as part of broader efforts toward sustainable development. The forum, held in Suva, served as a vital platform for discussions on fostering innovation, building resilient infrastructure, and promoting cultural sustainability, alongside mobilizing partnerships geared towards youth empowerment and development financing.
Attendees included representatives from Pacific governments, regional organizations, the private sector, civil society, youth, and development partners—all uniting to accelerate progress aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The event was co-hosted by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, in collaboration with the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company (PCRIC).
The forum featured peer-learning sessions focused on Voluntary Local Reviews and Financing for Development, signaling a commitment to sharing best practices and innovative strategies among Pacific nations. The overarching theme of the event was “Transformative, equitable, innovative, and coordinated actions for the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for a sustainable future for all.”
Secretary General Baron Waqa highlighted regional solidarity and coordinated action as integral to delivering sustainable outcomes that reflect the aspirations outlined in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific. “Our region continues to navigate complex global landscapes, but we are steadfast in our commitment to collaborate on climate action, economic resilience, and the well-being of our people,” he stated.
In her remarks, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP, emphasized the importance of cooperation and partnerships in achieving internationally agreed development goals. This message resonates strongly with ongoing dialogues within regional forums which have underscored the Pacific’s urgent need for unified action, particularly in the face of global challenges like climate change and economic inequality.
The forum also serves as a precursor to upcoming discussions, including the 13th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development and the 2026 High-Level Political Forum in New York, ensuring that Pacific priorities are integrated into global conversations on sustainability. The outcomes of this meeting reflect a growing optimism in the region—a collective belief that with cooperation and focused action, the Pacific Islands can successfully navigate the complex challenges ahead and build a resilient, sustainable future for all.