Pacific EU Trade

Following a week of in‑country consultations and a national stakeholder workshop in Tarawa in early May, meaningful steps have been taken toward Kiribati's potential accession to the EU–Pacific iEPA. The workshop brought together government agencies, regional partners and technical experts to review findings, discuss opportunities, and help shape Kiribati’s next steps on trade, development and market access. This progress is made possible through @EUPasifika support via the #SPIRITProject, implemented by @ForumSEC, strengthening Pacific countries’ capacity to engage in trade and regional integration. 🎥👇 #Kiribati #onebluepacific #SPIRITproject #iEPA

#HappeningNow Ambassador Barbara Plinkert of the @EUPasifika delivering opening remarks at the regional Workshop for Global Sourcing under the Interim Economic Partnership (iEPA). Permanent Secretary for @Fiji_MFAET hosting the workshop, Dr Raijeli Taga, welcomed delegates from the EU and 13 Pacific Parties and Observers to the EU-Pacific iEPA to the workshop. The workshop is part of the week of events culminating in the 11th EU-Pacific iEPA Trade Committee Meeting (TCM) on the 29-30th January 2026 in Suva, Fiji @Forumsec, through the EU-funded SPIRIT Project is supporting the 11th EU-Pacific TCM in Suva, Fiji. #trade #iEPA  #onebluepacific #SPIRITproject

The Forum KAVA Working Group representatives from the public and private sectors met in Nukualofa, Tonga yesterday to progress outstanding issues on two work streams relating to improved Market Access of KAVA to the EU and other markets and the Forum Island Countries' geographical indication (GI) application to the World Intellectual Property Rights @WIPO . There is recognition that harnessing the political will of the Leaders of Pacific Island countries is a vital ingredient to this multi-layered and multi-faceted process. The interests of Pacific businesses and other economic operators across the Kava value chain must remain front and center in these discussions. A key outcome of the discussions is the agreement to proceed with sectoral and national consultations on the draft Kava Declaration for endorsement at the upcoming Pacific Trade Ministers Meeting in July, and the Forum Leaders Meetings in September. Representatives included Chairman of the Forum Kava Working Group, Vanuatu's Director General for the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Biosecurity, Mr Timothy Tumukon, Chairs of the National Kava Committees, Kava farmers, manufacturers and exporters, and national business association representatives. The work on the Regional Kava Development Strategy #RKDS and Implementation Plan leading up to the inaugural Kava Festival in Tonga was led by @ForumSEC and the Pacific Community @spc_cps , in collaboration with the SPIRIT (Strengthening Pacific Intra-Regional and International Trade) project implemented by PIF and funded by @EUPasifika , and the ACP Business-Friendly programme through the International Trade Centre (ITC), which is funded by the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and jointly implemented by @ITCnews's Alliances for Action, the World Bank and @UNIDO . – at Tonga

#HappeningNow The Pacific Regional Quality Policy (PRQP) Inception Workshop was opened today by Chief Guest PS Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises Mr. Shaheen Ali @axeshane. Remarks were also made by @ForumSEC DSG Desna Solofa. Representatives from @EUPasifika, @UNIDO, @dfat, and @PlusPacer spoke to the positive developments in #PQI in the region and the progress that the #PRQP will contribute to. The PRQP will support regional efforts to: ⚖️improve product and service standards; ⚖️foster regional and international trade, and; ⚖️ensure the protection and safety of the people, flora, and fauna of the Pacific. Like other regional strategies developed under the Pacific Aid-for-Trade Initiative, the PRQP will set out priority regional actions in the area of quality infrastructure. This will allow Members to undertake activities more efficiently, by acting together as opposed to acting in isolation. The workshop is led by the Pacific Islands Forum in partnership with UNIDO, and funded by the EU-funded #SPIRITproject, the EU-ACP PQI, and the PACERPlus Implementation Unit. It is an activity under the PQI Initiative, implemented by PIFS under the umbrella of the Pacific-Aid-for-Trade-Strategy, to enhance regional capacity in standards, metrology, accreditation, and conformity assessment. The workshop will run from 21st to 23rd May, and is being held in Nadi, Fiji. #onebluepacific #BluePacific2050 #PIQP2025 #PacificQualityInfrastructure

"This holistic collaboration is a testament to our ongoing efforts to build technical capacity and promote equitable access to quality infrastructure services across the Blue Pacific Continent." @ForumSEC DSG Mr. Esala Nayasi made the remarks on 1st May at the Forum Secretariat during the Official Handing Over of Weight Sets by PS Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises Mr. Shaheen Ali @axeshane . The Weight Sets were generously donated by the Department of National Trade, Measurement, and Standards, under @MCTTTFiji , and will be used by Metrology Inspectors in Niue and Tuvalu to calibrate weighing scales and other equipment with precision. The @EUPasifika -funded #SPIRITproject has been supporting the #PQI Initiative, implemented by PIFS under the umbrella of the Pacific-Aid-for-Trade-Strategy, to enhance regional capacity in standards, metrology, accreditation, and conformity assessment.  The #SPIRITproject will support the ✈️ of the Weights Sets to Niue and Tuvalu, as well as the #PeertoPeer learning exchange of regional trade officials at following events, also supported by @UNIDO, @PlusPacer and @IOMAsiaPacific @IOM_LMD , taking place from 19 to 23 May 2025 in Nadi, Fiji: 🎯the Regional Training on the development of Quality Policies; 🎯the Inception Workshop for the Pacific Regional Quality Policy #PRQP; 🎯the 12th Meeting of the PRISE-PEUMP NATCO (National Coordination) Committee; and 🎯the 2nd Regional Consultations & Zero Draft of Pacific Regional Labour Mobility Principles.

Launch of the Digital Economy Report Pacific Edition 2024 today at #PIFS. @UNCTAD DSG Mr Pedro Moreno, @ForumSEC DSG Ms Desna Solofa, UN Resident Coordinator Mr Dirk Wagener, and EU Ambassador to the Pacific Barbara Plinkert gave opening remarks before Mr Chad Morris, Regional Programme Manager, Pacific Digital Economy Programme took guests through the highlights of the report. A lively and thought provoking panel discussion followed on Empowering the Pacific: Unlocking Inclusive Growth through the Digital Economy, before Acting DPI Mr Denton Rarawa closed the event. Kudos to the panelists @GeorgeRFong , @krysfiji , Shailendra Prasad, and Aneth Kasebele, and the entertaining moderator Sajib Asad.

#HappeningNow The Forum Trade Officials Meeting (FTOM) continues today after commencing yesterday afternoon, at #PIFS. Director Programmes & Initiatives @ZarakFJ delivered remarks on behalf of Acting Secretary-General, Desna Solofa, “as we engage in today’s discussions, let us keep in mind the interconnectedness of the issues before us. From strengthening trade mechanisms to protecting our cultural heritage, from improving labour mobility to ensuring environmental sustainability, each of these topics plays a vital role in advancing the collective interests of the Pacific region. I look forward to the deliberations ahead of us as we work together towards crafting solutions that will ensure a resilient, prosperous, and sustainable Pasifiki for future generations.” @ForumSEC's #SPIRITProject, funded by @EUPasifika proudly supports many of the initiatives on today’s agenda, including Trade Arrangements, and the Regional KAVA Development Strategy and Implementation Plan.

#HappeningNow Pacific ACP Trade Officials Meeting (PACPTOM) started this morning, at #PIFS, with opening remarks from the incoming Chair of the meeting, Ms. Distaquaine Tu’ihalamaka, CEO of the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, Tonga. "Today’s agenda is comprehensive, addressing a range of critical topics that are vital for the region’s growth and development. We will be discussing the Pacific Regional Integration Support Programme (#PRISE), which is crucial for enhancing the region’s economic integration. Additionally, we will need to as a region highlight areas of collective solutions and resources to complement these, in particular in designing the next programming for the region, one that focuses on implementation. Furthermore, our ongoing negotiations regarding the Interim-Economic Partnership Agreement will also be a key focus. These discussions are pivotal as they represent a shift from simply formulating policies to ensuring that these policies are implemented in ways that are impactful and meaningful for the people of our region." The @ForumSEC 's #SPIRITProject, funded by @EUPasifika proudly supports the enhancement of the Pacific's economic integration through it's workplan.

#HappeningNow Aid-for-Trade Briefing opened at #PIFS with remarks by Director Programmes & Initiatives @ZarakFJ and Ambassador, Permanent Delegation of the Pacific Islands Forum to the UN, WTO and Other International Organisations in Geneva, Mrs Mere Falemaka. The briefing for members and development partners is to highlight updates and implementation progress on the key Aid-for-Trade (AfT) initiatives including; Quality infrastructure (PQI) ; E-commerce; Trade Facilitation and Value-Chains Initiative. The briefing also allows for members to gain a deeper understanding of the progress, and the work remaining, before the Forum Trade Officials Meeting 2025 which is on the 26th and 27th February. The @ForumSEC's #SPIRITProject, funded by @EUPasifika proudly supports AfT through it's workplan. #OneBluePacific #Regionalism #EconomicGrowth @BigOceanMarkets

The @ForumSEC implemented, SPIRIT Project which is funded by @EUPasifika has proudly supported #PIFS members in their trade aspirations, including accession to, and membership of #iEPA, and the attendance of members and observers at the 10th Trade Committee Meeting in Brussels this week. – at Etterbeek, België

#HappeningNow in Port Vila Vanuatu Director General MALFFB Timothy Tumukon opened and led the discussions on Kava Derivatives amongst regional Kava Working Groups, to continue to deepen understanding and consensus on the issue after the discussions at the RKDS Launch in Nuku'alofa, Tonga in August. The discussions are part of the Regional Workshop on Strengthening Pacific Connectivity Inter-Agency Collaboration through Trade coordinated by @ForumSEC. KAVA and its derivatives have strategic importance in driving economic growth and poverty alleviation in Pacific communities. A regional and united kava approach is the only way to protect for Pacific people the cultural heritage, quality, uniqueness, intellectual property, and economic benefits of Pacific Kava. #PacCSCF2025 #onebluepacific #BluePacific2050 #RegionalKava2024 #SPIRITproject – at Vanuatu

Day 2 of Regional Workshop on Strengthening Pacific Connectivity Inter-Agency Collaboration through Trade, coordinated by @ForumSEC. Presentations from representatives of @spc_cps , Siuhuu Marketplace, @FijiAirways, OCOSEC, @TunaFFA, DHL logistics, and #PIFS E-Commerce team, sparked lively peer exchanges. Subregional groupings then identified Pacific supply chain ⏳️challenges ⏳️opportunities, and ⏳️recommendagions for targeted Pacific industries ✈️Fisheries ✈️Kava ✈️Services ✈️Apiculture #PacCSCF2025 #onebluepacific

The 3 day Regional Workshop on Strengthening Pacific Connectivity Inter-Agency Collaboration through Trade, coordinated by @ForumSEC, was opened yesterday by Director External Trade Joe Pakoa at Le Lagon in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Over 50 participants have gathered to discuss and decide key priority areas to be progressed during the Pacific Connectivity and Supply Chain Forum to be convened in 2025. #PacCSCF2025. This commences work on the regional blueprint to sustainably achieve a well-connected, integrated, and globally competitive #onebluepacific region. – at Vanuatu

Story on the SAFE Pacific Paravet training in Kiribati in the PRISE Newsletter - September 2024 (usrfiles.com) Available for download and subscription on⬇️ pacificeutrade.com/

Read the September 2024 #PRISE Newsletter to see the 3rd quarter successes achieved by: 👏#SPIRITproject 👏#SAFEPacific 👏#IMPACTPacific and 👏#PEUMP for our @ForumSEC members with the financial support of @EUPasifika⬇️

This month the 3rd 2024 meeting of the PRISE-PEUMP National Coordination (NATCO) Committee Meeting brought together: ✅️Representatives of the 15 member countries from Trade, Biosecurity, Agriculture, and Customs, ✅️#PRISE partners #SPIRITproject #SAFEPacific #IMPACTPacific and #PEUMP ✅️From @EUPasifika - Head of Cooperation Mr Maurizio Cian, the new Head of Climate Change, Environment and Energy  Eric Lindebel, and Trade Programme Manager @massimodiomedi to: ➡️Discuss challenges and successes of the activities that address barriers to intra-regional and international trade. ➡️Congratulate the member countries acceding to the #iEPA and reiterate support for those wishing to accede . ➡️Discuss the Pacific Trade and Sustainable Development Concept Note (Pac-TSD) and how the programme being developed can be more focused on the region's priorities for greater impact. The PRISE-PEUMP NATCO Committee serves to improve the collaboration between the partners and the member countries we serve. @UNCTAD @spc_cps @TunaFFA @ForumSEC – at Fiji

Labour Mobility is a critical part of the discussion on #growingtrade in the Pacific especially given the demand for labour in the fisheries and agricultural sectors, and the recently concluded Scoping Study on the feasibility of inclusion of #TradeInServices in the #iEPA.

The @ForumSEC implemented SPIRIT project is proud to have been a part of the progress achieved, through the @EUPasifika financial support, in bringing regional kava stakeholders together to: ➡️ Validate this Regional Kava Development Strategy in November 2023 in Port Vila, Vanuatu; ➡️ Debate, shape, and agree the Implementation Plan of the Regional Kava Development Strategy in March 2024 in Nadi, Fiji; and ➡️ Validate the Implementation Plan of the Regional Kava Development Strategy in June 2024 in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Great to see the momentum build towards more parties to, and more benefits harnessed from, the EU-Pacific interim Economic Partnership Agreement. The #PIFS implemented SPIRIT project stands ready to assist @MCTTTFiji with any requests towards their #iEPA implementation plans. Read the latest #PRISE Newsletter to see what #SPIRITproject #SAFEPacific #IMPACTPacific and #PEUMP have been doing for Trade Facilitation for our @ForumSEC members with the financial support of @EUPasifika. ⬇️ b43857c0-ff65-4f8c-937a-260d…

The Regional Trade Statistical Database Meeting starts at 11am FJT this morning for Customs Services, National statistics office, Trade officials, Economic planning, Finance, other stakeholders from around the region. Dr Evious Zgovu (consultant) and Database Officer Anuragh Narayan of @ForumSEC’s #SPIRITproject will lead the meeting and will take participants through the database, its functionalities, and how it can better serve the region’s need for trade data for decision making. This kicks off Phase II of the Collection and Transposition of Pacific ACP States (PACPS) Trade Statistics for the Pacific Regional Trade Statistics Database, an activity under the @EUPasifika funded SPIRIT Project implemented by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.