Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands have officially ratified the Agreement to Establish the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF Treaty), further advancing the Blue Pacific region toward launching its first Pacific-led climate and disaster resilience financing institution, which is both owned and managed by member states. This significant development took place at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat on February 13, where Tuvalu’s Prime Minister, Feleti Teo, presented the instrument of ratification to Secretary General Baron Divavesi Waqa. Earlier, the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands and Forum Chair, Jeremiah Manele, also deposited his country’s instrument of ratification during the Forum Troika Leaders Meeting in Brisbane, Australia.
Secretary General Waqa congratulated both nations, highlighting the PRF as a landmark achievement for the Pacific region and a testament to the collective commitment of its leaders to ensure a safer, more resilient, and inclusive future. He emphasized the significance of the PRF as a Pacific-designed institution that prioritizes community-driven resilience financing efforts.
The PRF was formally endorsed by Forum Leaders in 2023 during their 52nd Leaders Meeting in the Cook Islands. At their subsequent assembly in 2024, the Kingdom of Tonga was designated as the Host Country for the PRF, fostering regional ownership and solidarity. A total of 15 Forum Leaders signed the PRF Treaty at their meeting in Honiara, Solomon Islands, in 2025.
With Tuvalu and Solomon Islands’ ratifications, the number of Forum Member countries that have approved the Treaty now stands at five. The PRF is specifically crafted to empower communities by facilitating access to grant financing for resilience-related projects identified at the local level. This initiative marks a strategic transition toward proactive, community-driven investments in climate adaptation and disaster preparedness, aligning with the Forum Leaders’ Vision outlined in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
The ratification of the PRF Treaty by these nations reflects a hopeful commitment to enhancing the resilience of communities facing the growing challenges posed by climate change and natural disasters.