Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has announced that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently engaging in discussions with the existing donors of the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF). He has designated the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs as the Interim Secretary-General for the organization.
Rabuka expressed satisfaction with the present interim structure of PIDF, which is being managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This arrangement aims to maintain operational independence while ensuring robust oversight through a two-tier accountability process.
He highlighted that several Pacific Island nations support the continuation of PIDF, emphasizing that the organization serves their interests regardless of its name. The Prime Minister acknowledged that PIDF has faced management challenges, which the Ministry has addressed by implementing effective internal controls and enhancing governance and accountability frameworks.
As the Foreign Affairs Minister, Rabuka indicated that PIDF is currently under review and is in the process of transitioning into an integrated entity focused on project delivery across various sectors and regions.
Established in 2013, PIDF was designed to reflect the foreign policy stance of the previous government. Rabuka noted that PIDF was created to address the gap that arose when Fiji’s partners began holding the government accountable for breaches of democratic principles and the rules-based order essential to society’s foundations.
PIDF gained recognition as an international organization in 2015 and was granted official Observer status at the United Nations General Assembly in 2016.