The University of the South Pacific (USP) and Papua New Guinea’s Department of Justice and Attorney General (DJAG) have signed a transformative partnership aimed at ensuring the sustainable operation of the Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute (PacLII). This agreement marks a pivotal advancement in promoting good governance and reinforcing the rule of law throughout the Pacific, aligning closely with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
The formal signing occurred in Port Moresby, PNG, on 30 October 2025, coinciding with the Pacific Islands Network of Legal Officers (PILON) meeting. This collaboration signifies a unified effort to enhance legal frameworks and make justice more transparent and accessible across the region.
Under the agreement, DJAG commits to a financial and in-kind support strategy over a five-year period starting in 2026. PacLII, hosted at USP’s School of Law and Social Sciences, serves as a founding member of the global Free Access to Law Movement, promoting the ethos that public legal information should be freely available to all. This initiative plays a crucial role in facilitating access to justice, promoting the rule of law, and contributing to the economic stability of nations in the Pacific.
Professor Afshin Akhtar-Khavari, Head of USP’s School of Law and Social Sciences, expressed the significance of this partnership in realizing a more just and equitable Pacific. He stated, “PacLII’s provision of free legal information is essential for fostering transparency and informed decision-making, vital for the sustainable development of our Blue Pacific.”
Dr. Eric Kwa from DJAG emphasized that their partnership with USP reinforces their commitment to making legal information accessible, which is foundational for a robust justice system and overall regional development. He noted that this agreement is a significant step towards strengthening legal frameworks that serve all citizens, in line with the principles of the 2050 Strategy.
The partnership outlines specific responsibilities for both institutions, with USP tasked with enhancing and maintaining PacLII’s legal information system and providing annual reports to DJAG. Both parties will collaborate to improve PacLII’s efficiency, ensuring collective expertise is utilized to further its objectives.
Established at USP, PacLII is dedicated to delivering free online access to legal information from 18 Pacific Island countries and territories. Its role in the region is instrumental in promoting the rule of law and access to justice—critical elements that undergird the vision for a resilient and prosperous Blue Pacific.
This collaboration not only extends the outreach of legal resources but also fits within a broader context of enhanced regional cooperation among Pacific nations, as evidenced by recent calls for unity and resource sharing in legal frameworks. The engagement of entities such as PacLII and the commitment from various governmental bodies reflect a shared optimism for the future, emphasizing that collective efforts can lead to stronger, more resilient legal systems capable of addressing emerging challenges.
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