European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, convened with leaders from the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) in Tonga today to discuss the future of the Pacific protocol within the Samoa Agreement. Signed in November 2023, this agreement outlines a framework for cooperation between the European Union and 79 nations of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States.
The protocol aims to enhance collaboration on the ground, promoting the blue economy while improving environmental protection and climate resilience. Commissioner Urpilainen emphasized the importance of strong partnerships during this period of geopolitical tension, asserting that such alliances are vital for protecting shared interests and values, including climate action and the maintenance of a rules-based international order. She highlighted the longstanding cooperation between the Pacific Island countries and the EU as a model of effective partnership.
In her remarks, she noted, “Today, we are reinforcing our relations for an even greater impact by celebrating and discussing the way forward of the Pacific protocol of the Samoa Agreement.” She reiterated that the protocol, supported by the Global Gateway investment strategy, would empower efforts for people-centered development, climate action, and sustainable prosperity.
During her visit to Tonga, the Commissioner engaged in bilateral discussions with representatives from partner countries and development partners to prioritize cooperation, focusing on how the EU Global Gateway strategy can foster sustainable growth in the region.
She made several announcements aimed at promoting resilience and sustainability in the Pacific, including a full disbursement of €1.2 million to Vanuatu under the Vanuatu Value Chain Programme, which supports climate-resilient development in rural communities. In Tonga, a €1 million Technical Assistance project will support reforms in the energy sector. Samoa will receive €3.1 million for initiatives to enhance water resilience and climate change adaptation, while €2.5 million will be allocated to Kiribati for studies related to a Multi-Purpose port on Kiritimati Island, designed to create economic opportunities for local communities.
The Commissioner also visited the EU-funded Climate and WASH Resilience Community Project, which aims to help vulnerable households prepare for and respond to climate risks. Engaging with youth and civil society from the region, she stressed the importance of their involvement in policy-making and announced the launch of the EU Youth Empowerment Fund and plans for establishing the EU Youth Sounding Board for the Pacific.
With her background in education and advocacy for youth, Urpilainen expressed her commitment to supporting youth rights and access to quality education, calling for continued engagement from young people as the EU works to amplify their voices in policy-making.
The Samoa Agreement covers 106 countries and approximately 1.5 billion people, establishing a comprehensive partnership between the EU and the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS). It focuses on critical areas such as environmental sustainability, economic development, security, human rights, and social development, aligning closely with the thematic areas of the PIF 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent to address global challenges collectively.