RELEASE: PIF, SPC and UNDRR Establish Strategic Partnership to Strengthen Pacific Disaster Resilience

SUVA, FIJI, March 5, 2025 – Pacific Island nations are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events, including rising sea levels, stronger cyclones and destructive cyclones, and unpredictable weather patterns.

In a step towards improving regional coordination on disaster resilience, three prominent organisations have formalised a partnership to better support Pacific communities.

This week, the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), the Pacific Community (SPC), and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) signed a Letter of Cooperation (LoC) combining political leadership, scientific expertise, and global coordination.

This partnership agreement strengthens existing partnerships between the organisations and aligns with regional and global frameworks, including the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific (FRDP) 2016–2030, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030.

It also draws on the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP)-United Nations Country Team (UNCT) Pacific Principles for Dialogue and Engagement, which provide a high-level framework for cooperation between regional organisations and the United Nations in the Pacific.

"This partnership represents our shared commitment to building resilience in our region," said Ms. Rhonda Robinson, the Director of the SPC Geoscience, Energy and Maritime Division.

She added, "By combining the scientific and technical expertise of SPC, the political leadership of PIF, and the global coordination capabilities of UNDRR, we are building and strengthening an alliance to support our members in managing disaster risks and building sustainable resilience."

The cooperation will focus on four key areas. Firstly, to strengthen technical assistance and capacity building for Pacific governments, including support for risk management and disaster financing strategies. Secondly, prioritise early warning systems and anticipatory action, aligning with other regional initiatives to help communities prepare for disasters. Thirdly, to enhance collaboration on loss and damage by improving tracking systems and leveraging the Santiago Network to catalyse technical assistance for averting and minimizing loss and damage. Finally, the agreement emphasises using scientific data and risk assessments to inform evidence-based policies and actions for disaster risk reduction.

"This partnership reflects our collective commitment to deepening regionalism and solidarity, as envisioned in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent," said Ms. Desna Solofa, Acting Secretary General of PIFS.

She added, "By joining forces with SPC and UNDRR, we are leveraging global expertise while staying rooted in our Pacific values and traditional knowledge. This collaboration strengthens our ability to support people-centred development, build resilience, and ensure that our region is better prepared to face the increasing challenges of climate change and disasters.”

The partnership will be strengthened through key regional convenings, including the Pacific DRM Ministers Meeting, the Pacific Disaster Risk Managers Meeting, the Pacific Resilience Partnership, and the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva this year.

Additionally, the partnership will provide technical assistance, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and capacity-building support for Pacific governments and stakeholders to address disaster resilience challenges effectively.

Mr. Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for DRR and Head of UNDRR, emphasised the importance of this cooperation: "Small Island Developing States contribute minimally to the underlying causes of climate change but bear its impacts most acutely. That is why UNDRR has long supported strengthening the capacity of the Pacific to address climate and disaster risks. This new agreement allows us to expand this work through enhanced collaboration, which is critical to achieving the targets of the Sendai Framework in the remaining five years and to deliver on the promises of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States.”

The Letter of Cooperation will remain valid until 2030, with the possibility of extension, ensuring long-term commitment to regional coordination and shared responsibility for disaster risk reduction and resilience in the Pacific. //ENDS

For more information, please contact: 
1.    Ms. Erica Lee, Communications Adviser - PHWP Program, SPC GEM Division, Email: erical@spc.int   
2.    Ms.Leanne Jojari, Public Affairs Officer, PIF, Email: leannej@forumsec.org  
3.    Ms. Anita Cadonau, External Relations Officer, UNDRR, Email: anita.cadonau@un.org  

About the Organisations: 
Pacific Islands Forum (PIF): The Pacific region's premier political and economic policy organisation, with a membership of 18 countries. www.forumsec.org 

The Pacific Community (SPC): The principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. It is an international development organisation owned and governed by its 27 country and territory members. www.spc.int

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR): The United Nations' focal point for the coordination of disaster risk reduction activities and implementation of the Sendai Framework. www.undrr.org