Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka announced that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently in discussions with 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 arrangement, emphasizing that the PIDF is being managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while maintaining operational independence and implementing a robust two-tier accountability and oversight system.
He noted that several Pacific Island nations have expressed support for the continuation of PIDF, highlighting that regardless of its name, the organization aligns with their interests.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that PIDF has faced management challenges, which the Ministry has addressed through enhanced internal controls, oversight, and a strengthened governance and accountability framework.
In his capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Rabuka stated that PIDF is under review and is moving towards becoming an integrated entity focused on delivering projects across various sectors and regions.
Established in 2013, PIDF reflected the foreign policy of the previous government. Rabuka pointed out that PIDF was created to address the gap left when Fiji’s partners held the government accountable for violations of democratic principles and the rules-based order that form the foundation of society.
PIDF gained recognition as an international organization in 2015 and was granted official Observer status at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2016.