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). The Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs has been appointed as the Interim Secretary-General.
Rabuka expressed satisfaction with the interim arrangement, indicating that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is managing the organization while maintaining its operational independence with a robust two-tier accountability and oversight system.
He noted that some Pacific Island nations support the continuation of the PIDF, emphasizing that, regardless of its name, the organization serves their interests. Rabuka acknowledged that the PIDF had faced management challenges, but these have been addressed through strengthened internal controls and enhanced governance structures.
As the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Rabuka mentioned that the PIDF is under evaluation and is transitioning to become a more integrated entity focusing on delivering projects across various sectors and regions.
The PIDF was established in 2013 and reflected the foreign policy stance of the previous administration. Rabuka remarked that the creation of the PIDF addressed a gap left when Fiji’s partners held the government accountable for violations of democratic principles and the rules-based order essential to society.
The PIDF gained recognition as an international organization in 2015 and became an official Observer at the United Nations General Assembly in 2016.