The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has established a Regional Presence Office (RPO) in Suva to confront urgent threats to the Pacific’s seas — from climate change and pollution to gaps in maritime governance. The office, which will initially operate from the Pacific Community’s (SPC) Lotus Building, is designed to be a regional hub for technical expertise, coordination and cooperation between Pacific Island countries and global maritime bodies.
Public Works Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau said the RPO “belongs to all of us,” stressing its role in strengthening maritime safety, pollution control, decarbonisation and law reform across Pacific nations. He highlighted Fiji’s recent transport reforms, including a National Transport Sector Master Plan and a transport decarbonisation strategy, and said the RPO will help align national efforts with international climate objectives.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Domínguez described maritime transport as “a lifeline for economies, communities and connectivity,” calling the Suva office a milestone that will build regional capacity and cooperation. He reiterated the IMO’s commitment to decarbonisation and to delivering measurable improvements in safety and environmental protection. SPC Deputy Director-General Dr Paula Vivili said the RPO “responds directly to our region’s needs” and will be central to implementing the Pacific One Maritime Framework, a shared plan for a safer, more sustainable maritime sector.
Why this matters
– The Pacific relies heavily on seaborne transport to connect islands, deliver goods and provide essential services; stronger regional maritime capacity supports both daily life and long-term resilience.
– A permanent IMO presence in the region can speed delivery of tailored technical assistance, training and legislative support, helping countries implement IMO instruments and meet international obligations.
– Proximity to SPC and national authorities can accelerate maritime law reform, pollution response planning and rollout of decarbonisation measures while amplifying Pacific perspectives in global maritime discussions.
Practical priorities and expected workstreams
– Capacity building and training for maritime safety and pollution prevention.
– Technical assistance with implementing international conventions and national legislative reforms.
– Support for decarbonisation strategies, including access to technical partnerships and climate finance opportunities.
– Country outreach, compliance support, and coordination with regional agencies and donors to mainstream maritime issues into resilience and development planning.
Logical explanation
A regional office reduces barriers of distance and timing: by placing IMO personnel locally, Pacific states can receive faster, more contextualised support that reflects the region’s unique geographic, environmental and governance challenges. That local presence also strengthens the Pacific voice in shaping international shipping rules and decarbonisation strategies that will affect island nations disproportionately.
Brief summary
The IMO’s new Regional Presence Office in Suva — operating from SPC’s Lotus Building during its initial phase — will provide hands-on support to Pacific Island countries on maritime safety, pollution control, decarbonisation and law reform. The office aims to speed technical assistance, capacity building and regional coordination while aligning national reforms with global climate and safety commitments.
Additional comments
– Early success will depend on close collaboration between IMO, SPC, national maritime authorities and development partners to prioritise country-driven needs and to tap funding for decarbonisation and pollution-response measures.
– The RPO could serve as a platform to consolidate regional projects (such as blue shipping partnerships and sustainable shipping initiatives), scale training programs and coordinate emergency responses to spills or shipping incidents.
– Pacific governments and stakeholders should be encouraged to define short-term, measurable targets the RPO can help achieve (for example, timelines for legislative amendments, national compliance audits, or pilot decarbonisation projects) to demonstrate clear, early benefits.
Hopeful perspective
Bringing IMO capacity closer to the Pacific offers a practical route to accelerate safety improvements, prevent pollution and fast-track the region’s transition to cleaner shipping. With targeted, well-coordinated support, the RPO can help safeguard marine environments, strengthen maritime resilience and ensure Pacific voices shape the international rules that will determine the future of shipping in the region.
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