Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has announced that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is engaged in discussions with the current 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 being managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which ensures independent operations and a robust two-tier accountability and oversight framework.
He mentioned that some Pacific Island nations support maintaining the PIDF, highlighting that the organization’s name does not detract from its role in serving their interests.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that PIDF has faced management challenges, which the Ministry has addressed by implementing prudent internal controls, enhancing oversight, and improving governance and accountability structures.
As the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Rabuka noted that PIDF is under review and is in the process of transforming into an integrated entity focused on project delivery across various sectors and geographic regions.
Established in 2013, PIDF reflected the foreign policy direction of the previous government. Rabuka indicated that the formation of PIDF was part of a strategy to address the void left when Fiji’s partners held the government accountable for violations of democratic principles and the rules-based order fundamental to society.
Additionally, Rabuka pointed out that PIDF was recognized as an international organization in 2015 and became an official Observer at the United Nations General Assembly in 2016.