Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands have officially ratified the Agreement to Establish the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF Treaty), representing a significant step forward for the Blue Pacific region as it prepares to launch its first Pacific-led climate and disaster resilience financing institution, which will be owned and managed by member states. The ratification ceremony took place on February 13 at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, where Tuvalu’s Prime Minister Feleti Teo presented the instrument of ratification to Secretary General Baron Divavesi Waqa. Additionally, the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands and Forum Chair, Jeremiah Manele, deposited his country’s instrument of ratification during the Forum Troika Leaders Meeting held in Brisbane, Australia.
Secretary General Waqa expressed his congratulations to both nations, emphasizing the PRF as a landmark initiative for the Pacific region, underscoring the collective commitment of the leaders towards a safer, more resilient, and inclusive future. He reiterated the importance of the PRF as a Pacific-designed institution focused on community-driven resilience financing efforts.
Initially endorsed by Forum Leaders in 2023 during their 52nd Leaders Meeting in the Cook Islands, the PRF reflects the region’s dedication to addressing climate change impacts. At the following assembly in 2024, the Kingdom of Tonga was chosen as the Host Country for the PRF, promoting regional ownership and solidarity among Pacific nations. A total of 15 Forum Leaders signed the PRF Treaty during their meeting in Honiara, Solomon Islands, in 2025.
With these recent ratifications from Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands, the count of Forum member countries that have approved the Treaty has now reached five. The PRF is designed to empower local communities by providing access to grant financing for resilience-focused projects, marking a significant transition towards proactive, community-driven investments in climate adaptation and disaster preparedness. This initiative aligns with the Forum Leaders’ Vision set out in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
The ratification of the PRF Treaty by Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands signifies a hopeful commitment towards enhancing the resilience of communities grappling with the increasing challenges posed by climate change and natural disasters, reflecting a unified effort to safeguard the future of the region.