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 for the organization.
Rabuka expressed confidence in the current interim setup, noting that the PIDF is being managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while maintaining operational independence and a robust two-tier accountability and oversight system. He highlighted that there have been requests from several Pacific Island nations to retain the PIDF, emphasizing that, regardless of its name, it continues to serve their interests.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that the PIDF has faced some management challenges, but these have been addressed through effective internal controls, enhanced governance, and a stronger accountability framework. As the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Rabuka mentioned that the PIDF is undergoing a review aimed at transforming it into an integrated entity that emphasizes project delivery across various sectors and regions.
Established in 2013, the PIDF aligned with the foreign policy objectives of the previous administration. Rabuka explained that the creation of the PIDF was intended to address a gap that arose when Fiji’s international partners held the government accountable for violations of democratic principles and a rules-based order which form the foundation of society. The PIDF gained recognition as an international organization in 2015 and was granted official Observer status at the United Nations General Assembly in 2016.