Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has announced that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently engaged 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 interim management arrangement, stating that the ministry is overseeing PIDF while ensuring its operational independence through a robust two-tier accountability and oversight process.
He noted that several Pacific Island nations have expressed support for the continued existence of PIDF, emphasizing that, irrespective of its name, the organization serves their interests.
The Prime Minister acknowledged past management issues within PIDF, which the Ministry has addressed by implementing prudent internal controls and enhancing governance and accountability structures.
As the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Rabuka indicated that PIDF is under review and is moving toward becoming a more integrated entity focused on delivering projects across various sectors and regions.
Originally established in 2013, PIDF was aligned with the foreign policy vision of the preceding government. Rabuka explained that PIDF was created to address a gap that arose when Fiji’s international partners held the government accountable for violations of democratic principles and the rules-based order fundamental to society.
Furthermore, he highlighted that PIDF was recognized as an international organization in 2015 and was granted official Observer status at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2016.