Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka announced that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is engaging in talks with current donors of the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) and has designated the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs as the Interim Secretary-General.
Rabuka expressed confidence in the interim arrangement, whereby PIDF is operated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while maintaining its operational independence through a two-tier accountability and oversight system. He noted that several Pacific Island nations have expressed support for the continuation of PIDF, emphasizing that the organization meets their interests regardless of its name.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that PIDF had encountered management challenges, which the ministry has addressed by implementing prudent internal controls and enhancing governance and accountability frameworks. As the Foreign Affairs Minister, Rabuka indicated that PIDF is currently under review and is evolving towards a more integrated entity that prioritizes project delivery across various sectors and regions.
Established in 2013, PIDF is said to reflect the foreign policy direction of the preceding government. Rabuka pointed out that the formation of PIDF was a strategic decision to address the gap created when Fiji’s partners began holding the government accountable for violations of democratic principles and the rule of law, which are fundamental to society. Since being recognized as an international organization in 2015, PIDF became an official Observer at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2016.