The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) have signed a landmark Partnership Agreement to strengthen regional cooperation and integration across the Pacific. The agreement was signed in Suva, Fiji, by ADB President Masato Kanda and Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa, establishing a comprehensive framework to align the institutions’ resources and expertise in support of a resilient, sustainable, and prosperous Pacific region.
The partnership is designed to enhance collective action among Pacific island nations, many of which face challenges linked to geographic isolation, climate vulnerability, and limited economic scale. By strengthening unity and cooperation, the agreement seeks to improve protection of shared ocean resources, expand economic resilience, and mobilize development and climate finance in line with the region’s long-term development vision under the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific.
Building on more than three decades of collaboration between ADB and PIF, and over 50 years of engagement each organization has had with Pacific island countries, the new agreement formalizes joint efforts in areas such as economic competitiveness, community resilience, disaster preparedness, and blue economy development. The initiative aims to provide targeted support that enables Pacific nations to address shared challenges through coordinated policy approaches and pooled financial resources.
Under the framework, both organizations will collaborate on high-priority regional programs, including climate action initiatives, fiscal resilience measures, and a proposed multi-donor trust fund focused on disaster risk financing. These mechanisms are intended to strengthen regional capacity, reduce vulnerability to climate and disaster-related shocks, and promote sustainable growth.
Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members, including 50 from Asia and the Pacific, and supports inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development across the region. The Pacific Islands Forum serves as the region’s principal political and economic policy body, coordinating collective priorities among Pacific leaders. The newly signed partnership signals a reinforced commitment to Pacific-led solutions and deeper regional integration.
