BY BEN BILUA
TWO key regional initiatives that are at the heart of the 54th Pacific Islands Leaders Forum will be presented before regional leaders for deliberation today [Wednesday, Sept 10].
The regional initiatives are; the signing of the Agreement to Establish the Pacific Resilience Facility and the endorsement and commemoration of the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration.
Chair of the forum, Jeremiah Manele described the two regional initiatives as a strong political recommitment to resilience and peace across the Blue Pacific Continent.
He said the Pacific Resilience Facility and the Ocean of Peace Declaration will reaffirm the leadership of the pacific region to the international community.
“Indeed, I am particularly grateful that our gathering here this week will witness the endorsement of the Ocean of Peace Declaration, an initiative proposed by the most senior Leader amongst us this evening – Prime Minister Rabuka, a true friend of Solomon Islands,” Manele said.
He said discussion with be conducted in the spirit of dialogue and perspectives with regional organisations who will lead the implementation of political decision and aspirations.
Manele also said that the private sector and civil society organisations within the region will be consulted for their inputs on how the initiative can be broken down to suit the purposes.
He said the private sector and civil society organisations are crucial partners contributing in economic development and at the same time representing the perspective and views of communities across the region.
“With our Civil Society, who represent the perspectives and views of our communities and continue to play an important role in accountability and monitoring of political decisions,” Manele said.
He said the dialogues demonstrates commitments to inclusivity, sufficiency and most importantly bring positive outcomes for the region.

BY BEN BILUA
FORUM Leaders will endorse the Pacific Resilience Facility Treaty on Wednesday this week.
The Treaty signifies huge achievement at the regional and national level but what is the treaty meant to Solomon Islands and its people?
According to PRF General Manager Finau Soqo funds donated to the Pacific Resilience Facility will support member countries mitigate impact of climate change.
She said PRF provides unique opportunities to build resilience, through upfront investment in preparedness to natural disasters and climate change adaptation to minimise future loss of lives, displacement of people and extensive economic losses.
Sogo adds that the treaty will ensure that development partners and multilateral agencies have a clear legal framework to channel support into climate change initiatives.
Solomon Islands is a member of the forum, meaning, Solomon Islands is eligible to access the fund when it’s ready to support climate change programs and activities in the country.
Background
Following the endorsement of the PRF Treaty at the Special Forum of Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) in Tonga in March, which endorsed the PRF Treaty for signing, the PRF’s global capitalisation advocacy has been gaining pace.
From the OPEC Fund for International Development SIDS Summit in Vienna in May to the 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice in June where France pledged EUR2 million to the PRF, the 4th UN Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) in Seville in July to unlock climate financing capital for the Pacific’s first regional climate and disaster resilience financing facility, and to engaging with climate actors and partners at the Pacific Climate Change Roundtable (PCCR) in Samoa in August, the PRF has raised US$162 million in pledges to date.
Member engagement in the PRF has also ramped up as the PRF undertakes PRF Treaty Readiness missions around the Pacific, meeting with government officials and stakeholders in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Tonga, and Nauru.
The PRF Treaty is earmarked to enter into force by March 2026, demonstrating the Forum Members’ commitment to making climate finance accessible to communities a reality.
In preparation for this, once the PRF Treaty is signed, the PRF is undertaking programming co-design consultations with Members, CSOs, communities, the private sector, implementing partners and other stakeholders, starting with virtual consultations leading up to sub-regional cluster workshops scheduled to be held in the Marshall Islands, Tonga, Solomon Islands, and Kiribati in the fourth quarter of this year.
The Pacific’s message ‘1.5 to Stay Alive and Thrive’ is at the core of the PRF’s mandate, reflecting its $1.5 billion target to help secure a 1.5 °C world as articulated by Forum Leaders.
The PRF Treaty signing paves the way for the formal call for pledges to the PRF to reach its capitalisation target of US$500 million by the end of 2026.
From Honiara, Forum Members will take safe carriage of the PRF to critical high-level global capitalisation advocacy platforms — the 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 80) in New York in September, to the 2025 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund in Washington D.C. in October, and onto COP30 in Brazil in November. With operationalisation targeted for 2026, the PRF will play a crucial role in helping communities access climate finance, ensuring no one is left behind.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Chair of the Pacific ACP Leaders Meeting, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said that the government of Solomon Islands is committed to the collective endeavours of all members.
Mr Manele said his government is honoured to host the meeting of Pacific ACP Leaders here in Honiara.
Manele also acknowledged the Kingdom of Tonga, outgoing Pacific ACP chair, for their leadership and support in the work and engagement as PACP states.
He said that further significant progress in realising pacific islands collective priorities was made uunder Tonga’s stewardship.
“The signing of the Samoa Agreement in 2023 set a renewed framework with our European partners. We advanced Pacific climate diplomacy at COP28 and COP29, ensuring our survival agenda remained at the heart of global discussions,” said PM Manele.
He said that Solomon Islands assuming the leadership of the Pacific ACP work, will do so conscious of the responsibility before its member states.
“Our task is to build on this foundation and guide our collective efforts at a time when our Blue Pacific region face heightened challenges, but also new opportunities. For us, representation and influence are paramount. The upcoming appointment of the Pacific’s Assistant Secretary-General at the OACPS Secretariat is a moment for us to stand united,” he said.
He said that this post will give the Pacific not only visibility, but a firmer hand in shaping decisions in Brussels that affect the region’s financing, governance, and implementation of the Samoa Agreement.
“Colleagues, today’s meeting is about more than procedures. It is about charting a way forward together. Let us ensure that in our work with the OACPS and the EU, the Blue Pacific continues to speak with one voice to ensure the successful implementation of the Samoa Agreement, as well as the 2050 Strategy,” he said.
He said that he welcomes and look forward to members continued support and assistance in their work and discussions in the coming months.
“The success of our leadership and representation of our collective will is premised on the spirit of Pacific solidarity, with clarity, urgency, and unity, to assure sustainable benefits, development, and security of our Pacific people,” he said.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The Small Islands States (SIS) and the leaders of the Pacific ACP convened yesterday, marking the commencement of this year’s 54th series of meetings for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders in Honiara.
The meetings took place in the conference room of the Forum Fisheries Agency.
During the SIS meeting HE Wesley Simina, the outgoing Chair of the Small Island States and President of the Federated States of Micronesia, transferred the chairmanship to HE Taneti Maamau, the president of the Republic of Kiribati.
“Our remoteness and vulnerability do not signify weakness; rather, they serve as enduring reminders of the necessity for the SIS to remain united. Our collective presence underscores that true Pacific solidarity is not measured by averages, but by our capacity to uplift the most vulnerable among us,” stated Simina.
In response to former Chair H.E. Simina, the Chair of SIS expressed his honor in taking on the role of Chair for the Smaller Island States at this significant juncture in their shared journey.
“I appreciate your trust and support in this position. The discussions we engage in today hold significance that extends far beyond this room. They will influence the visibility of the Smaller Island States in the wider Forum discussions this week, and they will convey a message to our partners and the international community,” Maamau said.
The gathering of the Pacific ACP leaders also commenced with the official transfer of the Pacific ACP Leaders chairmanship, moving from Dr. Aisake Eke, Prime Minister of Tonga, to Jeremiah Manele, Prime Minister of Solomon Islands.
“As the Solomon Islands takes on the leadership of our Pacific ACP initiatives, we do so with a keen awareness of the responsibilities that lie ahead.
“On behalf of the Government and the People of the Solomon Islands, I would like to extend a heartfelt welcome to each of you in the Solomon Islands. It is both an honour and a privilege to host this meeting of the Pacific ACP Leaders here in Honiara,” stated the chair of the Pacific ACP Leaders, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.
“Our objective is to build upon this foundation and steer our collective efforts during a time when our Blue Pacific region is confronted with increased challenges, as well as new opportunities,” he added.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Secretary General of Pacific Island Forum, His Excellency Baron Divavesi Waqa has emphasised efforts to address climate change, as it becomes the single greatest threat to life and livelihood of the people of the Pacific region.

Speaking at the opening of the Pacific ACP leaders meeting held at the Forum Fisheries Agency complex yesterday, he said the urgency for the Blue Pacific region could not be any clearer.

He said the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the World Bank estimate that climate disasters already cost our economies between six and nine percent of GDP each year.

“Think about that, nearly a tenth of our economic output is lost annually due to cyclones, floods, and rising seas.

“This is not just a number, it represents homes and livelihoods destroyed, schools closed, damaged infrastructures and futures disrupted,” Waqa said.

The Secretary General however stated despite shifting global political currents and economic turbulence, Pacific leaders remained unwavering in their efforts to address the impacts of climate change their countries and people.

“Climate change remains the single greatest threat to the lives and livelihoods of our people. That is why climate action must stay at the centre of our collective work.

“The Pacific has demonstrated how political advocacy can amplify our priorities on the global stage through the Political Climate Champions,” he said.

Waqa called on Pacific leaders to behind a united call for climate justice and voice it in the international stage.

“As we approach COP30, let us carry forward our call for Climate justice, amplified by the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice.

“These realities demand stronger institutions, sharper diplomatic advocacy, and deeper partnerships,” he said.

Waqa emphasized that the Samoa Agreement signed in Apia in 2023, gives PIF new platform to embed Pacific priorities within the EU-OACPS partnership.

He added the “Our Pacific islands Forum 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent” also gives PIF the vision to safeguard our sovereignty and resilience for generations to come.

“But vision alone is not enough. We need clear institutional arrangements, a costed plan of implementation, and adequate resources to carry it forward.

“Without that, the Samoa Agreement risks becoming a framework of words rather than a driver of change,” Waqa said.

On the same note, the Secretary General has sounded alarm on the profound global change the region is facing.

He said the World Bank projects global growth this year at only 2.3 percent — the slowest pace in decades outside times of crisis.

Waqa added the International Monetary Fund also warns that more than 60 developing countries are already in or at high risk of debt distress.

“Many are small island economies like ours, facing the same structural vulnerabilities,” he said.