REMARKS: Welcome Remarks by Acting-Secretary General, Desna Solofa, at Pacific ACP Trade Officials Meeting

Excellencies, 
Distinguished Senior Trade Officials
Representatives of CROP Agencies, the Private Sector and other development partners
Ladies and Gentlemen

1.    Talofa ‘lava and a very warm welcome to all our distinguished officials who are joining us virtually from your capitals, and those who are here with us in-person at the Secretariat this morning. 

2.    May I take this opportunity to acknowledge the out-going Chair, the for their excellent leadership, 

3.    Five years ago, the Pacific region was standing at the gateway of a global pandemic that wreaked havoc on our already struggling small and vulnerable economies. At the time, it was difficult to gauge the level of economic and socio-cultural calamities that were inflicted on the diverse political economies.

4.    We witnessed for the first time how global supply chain disruptions of that magnitude crippled trade across critical global and regional maritime trading corridors and airline routes. Our primary agricultural, fisheries and tourism sectors were sent into a tailspin as shuttered Pacific businesses and their international counterparts affected intra-regional and international trade. Trade that is vital, not only for our sustainable economic development, but the very social fabric that supported the welfare and daily survival of our people – especially our marginalised communities. 

5.    Senior Trade Officials, Excellencies, and observers. Today, while recognising that solutions to major trade and sustainable development related challenges remain elusive, success stories over the past five years remind us of our resilience as a region. And inspire us to deliver for our Pacific businesses and communities. 

6.    According to the Asian Development Bank, economic growth for the Pacific economies was 3.3% in 2023, and was forecasted to slightly dip to 3.4% in 2024 and increase to 4% in 2025. One of the success stories is on three Pacific economies, namely Cook Islands, Fiji and Samoa, that have returned to pre-Covid levels in terms of their tourism arrivals. Another is Papua New Guinea’s resumption of the Porgera mining operations and how the increase in cocoa prices and the resolution of fuel supply to support Air Niugini’s refleeting programme contributed towards a more stable economic outlook, particularly for its the non-resource sector.

7.    However, national statistics on various key sectors could indicate worsening situations for our smaller economies. We need to identify clear pathways and timelines on how the calculated gains from regional trade and investment strategies and initiatives can be redistributed across the 15 PACP states. 

8.    Tourism, fisheries and kava are key sectors that can effectively leverage this multiplier effect across the region. 

9.    During the PRISE NATCO meeting in Vanuatu in December, PACP members underscored the importance of moving from policy formulation to implementation. This is one of the key messages that I would like to invite the meeting to place front-and-centre during our deliberations today.

10.    While some of our development partners may be downgrading their engagement modalities in the region, the Forum is grateful to the European Union in their steadfast commitment to align their external actions with the 2050 Strategy, the Samoa Agreement and the interim Economic Partnership Agreement in our shared interests to protect our planet, people and promote prosperity for all in the Blue Pacific. 

11.    With the thinly resourced trade departments in our capitals, the collaboration with DFAT and private sector representatives that were also part of that meeting is the holistic engagement that we look forward to emulating in the years ahead. 

12.    We look forward to the interactive discussions on your country updates and positions and how we can leverage regional and national mechanisms to accelerate trade and sustainable development in the Pacific.

13.    With these remarks, Excellencies and Senior Trade Official I wish you fruitful deliberations.

14.    Fafe’tai lava