A staggering number of Pacific Islanders continue to face water and sanitation challenges, according to the Communiqué issued at the conclusion of the 9th Pacific Water and Wastewater Ministerial (PWWM) Forum held in Honiara from 25–26 August 2025.
The report considered by Ministers on progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) revealed that 9 million people in the Pacific lack basic sanitation, while 5 million lack access to safe water.
Ministers highlighted that atoll and low-lying communities are particularly affected, relying heavily on rainwater and shallow aquifers, making them more vulnerable to climate impacts. Flooding and droughts account for 75 percent of reported disasters in the region, the Communiqué noted.
The Ministers called for solidarity, targeted national action, and stronger commitment to sustainable water management. They emphasized locally developed solutions and communities of practice, such as the Pacific Partnership for Atoll Water Security, as key approaches to improving water resilience.
The Communiqué also underlined the importance of strengthening national hydrological services to enable evidence-based water resource management, risk reduction, and climate adaptation.
Ministers stressed that water is central to peace, security, and resilience, and urged its deeper integration into national development and climate adaptation plans.
The Forum brought together Ministers and representatives from American Samoa, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. It was convened by the Pacific Water and Wastewater Association (PWWA) and the Pacific Community (SPC), with support from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and development partners including the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, Australia’s DFAT, and New Zealand’s MFAT.
The Ministerial Retreat took place on 25 August, followed by the Ministers’ Meeting on 26 August 2025.
The next conference will take place in Tahiti.
By Eddie Osifelo
Solomon Star, Honiara
