European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, convened with leaders from the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) in Tonga to discuss the future of the Pacific protocol under the Samoa Agreement. The Samoa Agreement, signed in November 2023, outlines a framework for the European Union’s collaboration with 79 nations from the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States.
The protocol aims to enhance cooperation on various fronts, including the promotion of the blue economy, environmental protection, and climate resilience. Commissioner Urpilainen emphasized the urgency of strong partnerships in light of current geopolitical tensions, highlighting the importance of shared values such as climate action and the maintenance of a rules-based international order.
She noted, “The 40-year cooperation between the Pacific Island countries and the European Union exemplifies such a partnership.” The Commissioner underlined the commitment to bolster relations for greater impact and to further the objectives of the Samoa Agreement’s Pacific protocol. This initiative is supported by the EU’s Global Gateway investment strategy, which focuses on fostering inclusive development, climate action, and sustainable prosperity.
During her visit, Urpilainen held meetings with high-level representatives of partner countries and discussed how the EU Global Gateway strategy can promote sustainable growth in the Pacific region. She made several important announcements, including the final disbursement of €1.2 million in budget support for climate-resilient development in Vanuatu, a €1 million technical assistance initiative in Tonga for energy reform, and €3.1 million in budget support for climate adaptation in Samoa. Additionally, €2.5 million is allocated for feasibility studies for a multi-purpose port in Kiribati aimed at fostering economic opportunities.
Urpilainen also visited the EU-funded Climate and WASH Resilience Community Project, which works to prepare vulnerable households for climate risks. During her engagements with regional youth and civil society, she stressed the importance of youth involvement in policy-making and announced the recent launch of the EU Youth Empowerment Fund, along with plans for the EU Youth Sounding Board for the Pacific.
With her background in education and advocacy for youth rights, Urpilainen expressed her commitment to empowering young people and integrating their perspectives into policy discussions.
The Samoa Agreement, involving 106 nations and approximately 1.5 billion individuals, reinforces a comprehensive partnership between the EU and the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS). It focuses on strategic partnerships that address critical issues such as environmental sustainability, economic development, security, and human rights. The provisions of the Pacific Protocol are designed to align with the PIF 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, promoting collaborative responses to global challenges.