Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has announced that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently engaging with the existing donors of the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) and has designated the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs as the Interim Secretary-General.
Rabuka expressed satisfaction with the current interim arrangements, stating that the PIDF is being managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while maintaining operational independence through a robust two-tier accountability and oversight framework.
He noted that some Pacific Island nations have expressed a desire to retain the PIDF, emphasizing that despite the organization’s name, it continues to serve their interests.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that PIDF has faced certain management challenges, which the Ministry has addressed by implementing effective internal controls, enhancing oversight, and establishing a strengthened governance and accountability structure.
As the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rabuka indicated that the PIDF is under review and is in the process of evolving into a more integrated entity that prioritizes project delivery across various sectors and regions.
Founded in 2013, the PIDF was created to reflect the foreign policy ethos of the previous government. Rabuka explained that its establishment aimed to address the gaps that arose when Fiji’s partners held the government accountable for violations of democratic principles and the rules-based order that support the fabric of society.
In 2015, PIDF was recognized as an international organization and subsequently became an official Observer at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2016.