21–22 May 2026 | Fa’onelua Convention Centre, Nuku‘alofa, Tonga
NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga – The Tenth Meeting of the PACER Plus Joint Committee concluded on Friday 22 May 2026 in Nuku‘alofa, Tonga, bringing together senior government officials from Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Chaired by Mrs Distaquaine Tu’ihalamaka, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development of Tonga, the two-day meeting provided a crucial platform for Parties to review progress, set key priorities, and continue to strengthen regional economic integration. Tonga also Chaired the PACER Plus Budget Committee meeting, which was held earlier in the week, prior to the Joint Committee session.
Senior government officials from the ten PACER Plus Parties gathered in Nuku’alofa, Tonga for the Tenth PACER Plus Joint Committee Meeting.
Minister of Internal Affairs for the Kingdom of Tonga, the Hon. Fane Fituafe, provided a keynote address, noting the significance of today’s meeting for Tonga, as the Depositary of the PACER Plus, as the country where the Agreement was signed prior to ratification. The importance of PACER Plus in achieving real benefits for the Pacific was highlighted, noting that development should remain at the centre of this work. Minister Fituafe also noted that clarity, purpose and partnership were three key pillars necessary for PACER Plus l Parties to achieve results.
Keynote address by Minister of Internal Affairs for the Kingdom of Tonga, the Hon. Fane Fituafe
Chair of the Joint Committee Mrs Tu’ihalamaka, said:
“Today’s meeting is an opportunity to reconnect, exchange experiences and strengthen relationships which support our collective work. PACER Plus is far more than a trade agreement – it is a vital tool for economic resilience. This Joint Committee meeting is focused squarely on execution, ensuring that every dollar invested is traceable to real outcomes for people.”
The Phase II Implementing Arrangement for Development and Economic Cooperation (DEC) under PACER Plus for the period 2026–2030, signed by PACER Plus Ministers in November 2025 includes a joint funding commitment of AUD 31.4 million from Australia and New Zealand. This funding enables the delivery of the DEC Work Programme, which is designed to support Pacific Island countries in building trade capacity, strengthening industries, and overcoming barriers to economic growth. It also provides targeted assistance in areas such as export development, trade facilitation, and skills training, ensuring that Pacific Parties can fully benefit from regional and global trade opportunities.
Mr Roy Lagolago, Head of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit
Mr Roy Lagoalgo, Head of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU):
“The 2026-2030 Work Programme reflects the priorities expressed by Parties. The PPIU is purpose-built to support Pacific members’ trade priorities. We work closely with Parties to understand their needs and develop targeted activities to address practical challenges – whether in SPS compliance for agricultural exporters, customs modernisation, or skills development for labour mobility. “
The meeting approved the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Adaptation (MELA) Logical Framework 2026-30, which sets out seven medium-term outcomes across the Agreement’s core areas. The meeting also approved the Development and Economic Cooperation Work Programme Phase II 2026-2030 and discussed the Strategic Plan for 2026-30, including its strategic focus and approach to prioritisation, sequencing and results-based delivery. Discussions emphasised the importance of regional cooperation and the role that advocacy plays in supporting regional cooperation and partnerships.
Discussions emphasised the need to sharpen the focus of activities on export development, strengthen value chain, reduce shipping and logistics costs, and deliver more targeted skills development. Joint Committee also underscored the importance of private sector engagement, digital trade as a key economic driver, and stressed the need to align the strategic priorities with measurable 2030 targets under the MELA Framework.
Parties reaffirmed PACER Plus as a vital mechanism for regional economic integration, in line with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Expanding membership remains a key priority, with commitments to advocate for new members to join the Agreement.
The Joint Committee is the principal decision-making body under the PACER Plus and plays a central role in ensuring cooperation initiatives and development support deliver tangible and sustainable benefits for the region.
