03/11/2026, Port Vila – Agriculture,
fisheries, and food production are critical to the economies
of many Pacific Island Countries, yet each country faces
unique challenges to ensure their agrifood sector is robust,
resilient to global shocks and climate change, and can
improve the wealth and livelihoods of its people.
To
address these challenges, the Government of the Republic of
Vanuatu and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations (FAO) today opened the 2026 Pacific Small
Island Developing States (SIDS) Solutions Forum in Port
Vila, Vanuatu. Under the theme, “Solutions for a Resilient
Blue Pacific: Scaling Innovation and Financing Agrifood
Systems Transformation”, the Forum will bring together
leaders, development partners, investors, innovators and
other high-level representatives from across the Pacific and
beyond for four days of discussions, 12 side events, and
exhibitions highlighting Pacific-led solutions for resilient
and sustainable agrifood systems.
In his opening
remarks His Excellency Hon. Johnny Koanapo Rasou, Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic
Management, Republic of Vanuatu, emphasized that agrifood
systems transformation is recognized by Pacific leaders as a
key driver of sustainable development, resilience and
economic growth.
“Our region does not lack ideas. What
we need are the investments and partnerships that can take
our best solutions from the pilot stage to every island
community. Vanuatu is ready to lead that effort together
with our Pacific neighbours and partners,” he said.
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He
also highlighted recent climate-related shocks, including
the impacts of El Niño across the Pacific and cyclones and
earthquakes in Vanuatu, have exposed the vulnerability of
food insecurity and supply chain disruptions, and reinforced
the need for resilient local agrifood
systems.
Following a traditional welcome and cultural
ceremony, the Hon. Ian Wilson Toagalana, Vanuatu’s
Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Biosecurity
welcomed participants on behalf of the Government and people
of Vanuatu.
The 2026 Pacific SIDS Solutions Forum aims
to move proven agrifood innovations from pilot projects to
scale. Building on the success of previous forums in Samoa
(2022) and Fiji (2024), which showcased more than 80
solutions and mobilized over USD 3.4 million in commitments,
this year’s Forum focuses on linking investment-ready
solutions with financing and partnerships. It will also
promote science- and innovation-based approaches to
accelerate the transformation of more efficient, inclusive,
resilient and sustainable agrifood systems across the
Pacific.
In a virtual address to delegates, FAO
Director-General QU Dongyu said that transforming agrifood
systems requires three elements to come together: solutions
that are identified, tested and adapted to local ecosystems,
cultures and national priorities; partnerships that bring
together public and private actors, scientific institutions
and communities; and financing for
implementation.
“Too many good ideas remain at the
pilot stage, and too many innovators lack access to capital,
technology, markets and infrastructure. An innovation that
cannot be financed cannot be scaled,” said QU. “This
Forum is designed to explore pathways to close that gap by
connecting investment-ready solutions with partners and
resources, including through the FAO Hand-in-Hand
Initiative, the One Country One Priority Product initiative,
and public and private investment.” He added, “Pacific
SIDS have demonstrated that local solutions work. We must
now work hand in hand to mobilize investment in these
solutions so they can be scaled up and replicated across the
Blue Pacific. By doing so, we can achieve better production,
better nutrition, a better environment and a better life for
all, leaving no one behind.”
Over the next four
days, the Forum will bring together governments, development
partners, international financial institutions, the private
sector, academia and civil society for high-level dialogue
and collaboration. Discussions will focus on strengthening
South-South and Triangular Cooperation, enabling countries
to share and adapt successful solutions, and connecting
investment-ready initiatives with financing opportunities,
including through FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative.
The
Forum will also support national ownership by aligning
solutions with country priorities and promoting inclusive,
locally led development driven by youth, women and community
enterprises. Hundreds of participants are expected to
attend, including policymakers, practitioners, development
partners, community leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and
private-sector representatives. Additionally, the forum will
highlight innovative solutions with the potential to
transform agrifood systems across the Pacific, many of which
have been developed within the region itself.
By
bringing Pacific leaders, innovators and investors together,
the Pacific SIDS Forum places locally developed solutions at
the centre of regional action. Scaling these innovations
through increased investment can create jobs, strengthen
food and nutrition security, preserve Indigenous food
knowledge and cultures, improve food distribution across
islands, protect terrestrial and marine ecosystems, and
accelerate the adoption of digital and innovative
technologies.
The Forum will conclude on 6 November
with the adoption of an outcome document outlining agreed
priorities and actions for the region. The FAO delegation
included Deputy Director-General Maurizio Martina; Mohamed
Manssouri, Assistant Director-General and Director of the
Investment Centre; Alue Dohong, Assistant Director-General
and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific; Chief
Economist Máximo Torero Cullen; and other senior FAO
officials. Together, they led discussions on mobilizing
investment and partnerships to scale up Pacific agrifood
solutions.
