Senior officials from member countries of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus gathered in Honiara on Monday morning for the opening of a two-day Joint Committee meeting.
The meeting is chaired by Collin Beck, Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Solomon Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, and brings together representatives from Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Beck welcomed the delegates and highlighted the significance of their gathering as a testament to the region’s collective commitment to advancing trade and promoting sustainable economic development.
“It is both an honour and a privilege for the Solomon Islands to host and chair this important meeting, especially as we approach the conclusion of the Agreement’s first five years of implementation,” he stated.
Over the next two days, officials will review key reports from the Subsidiary Bodies and the Budget Committee. They will also discuss the strategic renewal of the Implementing Arrangement, the Post-2025 Development and Economic Cooperation (DEC) Work Programme, and receive donor updates from Australia and New Zealand.
Looking ahead, Mr. Beck called for bold, forward-looking reforms.
“As we move beyond 2025, it is not enough to simply extend the Implementing Arrangement and its associated work programme,” he said.
“We need reform.”
The future of PACER Plus must be defined by tangible, measurable results and resilience, not just processes and procedures. Our people are not interested in trade rhetoric; they want to see their products in international markets, their entrepreneurs thrive, and their economies grow sustainably. We owe them that.”
Mr. Beck noted that rising global trade tensions are creating uncertainty and shifting trade dynamics worldwide, with the Pacific region not immune to these challenges.
“This is a time for the region to stand up for a multilateral, rules-based economic system. We must advocate for dialogue over unilateralism, cooperation over confrontation, and mutual respect over coercion and intimidation,” he emphasized.
He added that as the world recalibrates its economic and trade relations, the Pacific must also adapt.
He concluded with a call to action:
“May this meeting not only allow us to reflect on past achievements and current progress but also inspire us to reimagine PACER Plus. Let us position it to deliver better outcomes and meaningful impacts in its next phase. Let us be honest in our evaluations, firm in our decisions, and united in our aspirations for a regional trade and development framework that works for our people.”
Australia and New Zealand have been key partners in supporting PACER Plus, jointly committing AU$25 million in October 2021 to fund the DEC Work Programme, which is managed by the Pacer Plus Implementing Unit (PPIU).
This funding, set to conclude in December 2025, has been instrumental in strengthening regional trade integration and addressing the unique development challenges faced by Pacific Island nations. Discussions at the meeting will include the potential extension of the DEC Work Programme to ensure continued progress.
–MFAET PRESS RELEASE
Chair of the 8th PACER Plus Joint Committee meeting, Collin Beck delivering his remarks.
