Investment in the Pacific region must focus on purposeful, predictable, and people-centered initiatives, according to Jeremiah Manele, Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands and chair of the Pacific Islands Forum. Speaking to approximately 200 delegates at The Pacific Agenda – Investment, Security and Shared Prosperity Summit in Honolulu, Hawai’i, Manele emphasized that the success of investments should not be solely based on their scale but rather on their tangible impacts on local communities.
He highlighted that the real measures of success encompass factors such as whether children have access to electricity for nighttime studies, whether farmers can access markets to sell their goods, and whether young people can connect digitally to engage in the global economy. These community-centered outcomes are critical to the overall development of the Pacific Islands.
Manele pointed out that Pacific Islands Forum members prioritize urgent issues and investment areas, including climate-resilient infrastructure, the transition to renewable energy, sustainable ocean-based industries, fisheries value addition, digital connectivity, and human capital development. He expressed a warm welcome for sustainable investments that enhance local capabilities, facilitate technology and skills transfer, and bolster national systems.
In a global landscape marked by volatility and strategic competition, Manele stated that Pacific leaders have recognized their strength lies in enhancing cooperation and strengthening their strategic autonomy. He stressed that partnerships should adhere to a principle focused on bolstering Pacific resilience and increasing Pacific agency through regional collaboration.
Manele articulated a broader vision where economic development equates to security, climate resilience ensures stability and survival, and mutual respect forms the foundation for fruitful partnerships. He underscored the necessity for a deliberate and coordinated approach to engage effectively with development partners, particularly the United States.
The summit also saw participation from Fiji’s Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel, Fiji’s Ambassador to the United States Ilisoni Vuidreketi, and various other leaders and ministers from the Pacific Islands Forum. Together, they aim to advance the collective economic priorities of the region while strengthening strategic partnerships with the United States, driven by a commitment to fostering a resilient and prosperous Pacific community.
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