14 March 2025
Suva, Fiji- The Pacific E-commerce Development Partners Sub-committee convened for the second time on 13 March 2025 bringing together over 30 representatives from across 20 donor partners and agencies supporting the implementation of the Pacific Regional E-commerce Strategy and Roadmap and contributing to the Connectivity and Technology pillars of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific.
The Sub-committee is one of three governance bodies established to coordinate the implementation of the Strategy. Established in July 2023 and with its first meeting in August 2024, the sub-committee aims to efficiently identify e-commerce gaps and mobilise resources towards the implementation of the Strategy.
On behalf of the PIFS Secretary General, Baron Waqa, the Director Programmes and Initiatives Mr. Zarak Khan in his opening remarks acknowledged the crucial role that the development partners play in advancing e-commerce readiness in the region. For this reason, he deems the Pacific E-commerce Development Partners Sub-committee meeting as more than just a coordination platform, it is “a dialogue platform, an incubator for collaboration and partnership.”
Mr. Khan further reflected on the progress made in the past three years of the Strategy’s implementation, including the establishment of a governance mechanism, the Pacific E-commerce Portal, and key partnerships driving implementation. He also underscored the importance of strong coordination and coherence, ensuring that development efforts align with the needs of Pacific nations. Through this platform, ideas and initiatives meet resources, fostering real impact for e-commerce growth in the region.
The meeting was led by the Chair, Roy Lagolago, Head of the Secretariat for the PACER Plus Implementation Unit and Labour Mobility. He emphasised the power of partnership in shaping the future of e-commerce in the Pacific, noting that this meeting is not just about sharing knowledge but about “actively building partnerships that will help us navigate the complexities of e-commerce and digital transformation in our region.”
Participants gained insights into the progress of the Strategy, supported by live infographics demonstrating 25.47% implementation rate of the Strategy’s measures and USD 152.8 million committed resources by partners, underscoring the substantive efforts to drive e-commerce growth in the Pacific.
A presentation on the Pacific E-commerce Alliance provided an overview of the 2025 Engagement Plan, aimed at enhancing coordination among partners and preventing duplication of efforts. The meeting also previewed the Pacific E-commerce Symposium in 2026, a Pacific first-of-its-kind event designed to foster knowledge-sharing and collaboration on digital trade.
The results of a 2025 survey identifying the Strategy measures considered priority areas for development partners as well as the private sector needs, revealed common priorities in addressing challenges in logistics, trade facilitation, and access to capital. These insights will help align future initiatives with the visions and needs of both sectors.
Additionally, the Universal Postal Union (UPU) presented its Regional Addressing Project, a key initiative to improve last-mile logistics for e-commerce, while the United Nations for Trade and Development (UNCTAD) shared key findings from its Pacific Cybersecurity Law Study and outlined upcoming initiatives to strengthen legal frameworks for digital trade in the region.
The outcomes from the sub-committee meetings will be reported to the Pacific E-commerce Committee during their meeting scheduled for May 2025.
//ENDS
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