The Solomon Islands has officially ratified the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), marking a significant step toward establishing a climate and disaster financing mechanism that is led by Pacific nations. On January 27, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele presented the ratification instrument to Baron Divavesi Waqa, the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum.
As a key advocate for the PRF Treaty, which was signed during the 54th Forum Leaders Meeting held in Honiara in September 2025, the Solomon Islands has contributed to a growing consensus among Pacific leaders. The treaty has garnered the endorsement of 15 leaders, and there is increasing momentum to make the PRF legally operational by the year 2026.
Currently, the 6th PRF Legal Co-Drafting Workshop is taking place in Nadi, Fiji, where senior officials from Forum member countries are collaborating to refine the legal framework necessary for the facility’s functioning. This workshop is being chaired by Esther O’Brien, the Minister Counsellor for the Solomon Islands High Commission to Fiji. Following this workshop, a Financial Rules Co-Design Workshop will be conducted to establish the institutional structures essential for the financing mechanism’s operation.
The PRF’s primary goal is to bolster climate and disaster resilience in the Pacific. It is built on the principles of regional ownership, accountability, and sustainability. Additionally, a recent mission from the Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF) to Tuvalu involved discussions led by Titi Tutuvanu-Schwalger, the Pacific Quality Infrastructure Principles Adviser. This mission aimed to engage the Tuvaluan government in incorporating the Seven Pacific Quality Infrastructure Principles into national infrastructure planning, thereby updating Tuvalu’s National Infrastructure Investment Plan with a focus on sustainability and resilience.
These collaborative initiatives reflect the proactive measures that Pacific nations are taking to confront climate change challenges and enhance infrastructure resilience. By prioritizing sustainable development aligned with regional goals, these efforts demonstrate a hopeful path forward for long-term prosperity in the Pacific region.