Washington D.C.,- Pacific leadership and solidarity were on full display last week as the Government of Solomon Islands and Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) announced a pledge of USD $1 million [SBD8m] to the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF).
Pledges to the PRF now stand at USD 167 million, reflecting the strength of the Blue Pacific’s relationships and strong momentum as the region intensifies its collective efforts to reach the USD 500 million target by the end of 2026.
In addition, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) formally deposited its instrument of ratification of the Agreement to Establish the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF Treaty) with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Baron Divavesi Waqa.
Marshall Islands is the third Forum Member to ratify the Treaty following Tonga and Nauru.
The announcements were made during the PRF Partners Roundtable Talanoa, or Tok Stori, convened in the margins of the 2025 Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington D.C.
“The PRF offers an investible, credible and compelling alternative to the climate investment proposition, said the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Tonga, Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke while presenting the PRF Capitalisation Memorandum for Investors.
“It is a consequential climate investment established by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders. Robust governance mechanisms are in place to ensure accountability and transparency, supporting investor confidence in the Facility,” continued the Prime Minister.
The Talanoa, moderated by the Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands, brought together Pacific Islands Forum Economic and Finance Ministers, sovereign investors, development partners, and global climate funds to discuss the PRF as the Pacific’s first international financial institution dedicated to supporting climate and disaster resilience for the most vulnerable Pacific communities.
“We are transforming the Pacific’s long tradition of self-reliance into a global example of collective climate leadership, a partnership model that turns foresight into action and vision into reality,” said the Vice President of Kiribati, H.E Dr. Teuea Toatu.
“The PRF is not just another financing mechanism. It is our own solution, designed by and for the Pacific.
“Today’s announcements demonstrate that our countries are leading from the front, investing in our shared future, and showing the world that partnership begins with our own commitment to each other,” added Secretary General Baron Divavesi Waqa.
The Pacific Resilience Facility is the first Pacific-led, owned, and designed international financing facility, established to strengthen community resilience to climate change and disasters.
Fifteen Pacific Islands Forum Leaders signed the PRF Treaty at their annual meeting in Honiara, Solomon Islands last month affirming the region’s collective determination to advance locally led action for a safer, more secure, and resilient Blue Pacific.
– PIFS Communications