Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has announced that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently in discussions with the existing donors of the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) and has appointed the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs as the Interim Secretary-General.
Rabuka expressed satisfaction with the current interim setup, whereby the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is managing the organization, while ensuring its operational independence through a robust two-tier accountability and oversight process.
He mentioned that several Pacific Island nations have provided feedback supporting the continued existence of the PIDF, emphasizing that, regardless of the organization’s name, it aligns with their interests.
The Prime Minister acknowledged previous management challenges faced by the PIDF, which the Ministry has addressed through enhanced internal controls, oversight, and an improved governance and accountability framework.
As the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Rabuka also indicated that the PIDF is under review and is in the process of evolving into an integrated entity focused on project implementation across various sectors and regions.
Established in 2013, the PIDF reflected the foreign policy objectives of the previous administration. Rabuka stated that the PIDF was initiated as part of a strategy to address the gap that arose when Fiji’s partners held the government accountable for breaches of democratic norms and the principles underpinning the foundation of society.
The PIDF gained recognition as an international organization in 2015 and was granted Observer status by the United Nations General Assembly in 2016.