“Pacific ACP Leaders meets to reaffirm commitments to theoperationalization of the Samoa Agreement”
GOVERNMENT OF TONGA
MEDIA RELEASE
(9th September, 2025)
Honiara, 8 September, 2025:-Leaders reconvened the 2025 Pacific ACP Meeting held at the Forum Fisheries
Agency in Honiara, Solomon Islands, chaired by Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.
The Pacific Group of the African Caribbean Pacific Leaders met to reassess their priorities for the region
through innovative and strategic approaches in their engagements with the European Union.
The Leaders acknowledged the ongoing work with regional representation in Brussels, with emphasis on the
importance for Blue Pacific priorities are amplified through representation from the region, to address
sustainable development priorities through the Pacific -EU Regional Protocol.
Leaders also supported the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat’s role as lead agency to coordinate the institutional
arrangements of the Samoa Agreement. Members of the PACP have signed and ratified the Samoa Agreement
in 2023 including Tonga who signed and ratified in June 2024.
Furthermore, Leaders reiterated that climate change is a key priority to both the Pacific and the EU, recognizing
the important contribution of the EU to supporting Members in climate resilience, strengthening climate change
resilient school infrastructures, making communities more resilient against severe weather events that are so
devastating throughout the region.
The Meeting supported the third-cohort of Political Champions initiative as means to elevate the level of
advocacy and to influence decision making on issues of critical importance to the region.
Climate Finance – Fiji Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance – Hon Professor Biman Chand
Prasad
Loss and Damage – Vanuatu Minister of Climate Change, Energy, Meteorology, Geohazards,
Environment and Disaster Management – Hon Ralph Regenvanu
Climate – Ocean nexus – Niue Minister of Natural Resources – Hon Mona Ainu’u
Adaptation – Republic of the Marshall Islands Minister in Assistance to the President – Hon Bremity
Lakjohn
Mitigation – Tuvalu Minister of Home Affairs, Climate Change and Environment – Hon Dr. Maina
Vakafua Talia
Just Transition – Tonga Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for MEIDECC – Hon Dr. Taniela
Likuóhihifo Fusimalohi
Gender and Social Inclusion – Kiribati Minister of Women, Youth, Sports and Social Affairs – Hon Ruth
Cross
Alternate Champion for Mitigation or Just Transition – FSM Minister of Environment, Climate Change
and Emergency Management – Hon Andrew Yatilman.
-ENDS
