Tenth Meeting of the PACER Plus Joint Committee Post Conference
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. More articles like this one
Tenth Meeting of the PACER Plus Joint Committee
21–22 May 2026 | Fa’onelua Convention Centre, Nuku‘alofa, Tonga The Tenth Meeting of the PACER Plus Joint Committee will take place on 21–22 May 2026 in Nuku‘alofa, Tonga, chaired by Mrs Distaquaine Tu’ihalamaka, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development of Tonga. Tonga will also Chair the PACER Plus Budget Committee meeting that will be held earlier in the week. At their previous meeting in Honiara, Solomon Islands, in November 2025, PACER Plus Ministers signed the Phase II Implementing Arrangement for Development and Economic Cooperation under PACER Plus for the period 2026–2030. This arrangement confirmed the strategic objectives for the next five-year phase and secured a joint funding commitment of AUD 31.4 million from Australia and New Zealand to support development and economic cooperation initiatives. A central focus of the meeting will be consideration of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Adaptation (MELA) Logframe, which provides the framework for measuring and strengthening PACER Plus outcomes and impacts. Members will also review and provide guidance on the Development and Economic Cooperation Work Programme 2026–2030, aimed at supporting capacity building, trade-related assistance, and inclusive economic development across PACER Plus Parties over the next five years. The Work Programme will be funded and managed through the AUD 31.4 million contribution from the Australian and New Zealand governments. Chair of the Joint Committee, Mrs Tu’ihalamaka, said: “This meeting is particularly significant for Tonga as the Depositary of the PACER Plus, and the country where the Agreement was signed prior to ratification. Over the past five years, we have recorded good progress in the implementation of the Work Programme by the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU) and have learnt important lessons. As we look ahead, this meeting reaffirms our commitment to upholding the integrity of PACER Plus, and ensuring its effective implementation delivers meaningful benefits for all Parties.” Mr Roy Lagoalgo, Head of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU), emphasised the importance of the discussions in preparing for the next phase of implementation: “As PACER Plus moves towards the commencement of Phase 2 of Work Programme on 1 July 2026, it is critical that we set the foundations right. Agreement on the MELA Framework and DEC Work Programme ensures that implementation is well‑sequenced, responsive to members’ priorities, and delivers measurable results from the outset of the 2nd phase.” 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. More articles like this one
PACER Plus Contact Point Database
Functions Australia Cook Islands Kiribati New Zealand Niue Samoa Solomon Islands Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu Role Function PACER Plus National Focal Point – Joint Committee Senior Official Member of the PACER Plus Governing Body, Institutional Provisions, Development and Economic Cooperation Budget Committee Oversight of PPIU operations and implementation of the DEC Work Programme and budget and other functions and tasks as directed by the Joint Committee Contact Point for Trade in Goods, RoO and Customs Procedures Review the implementation of, and measures taken pursuant to, the Chapters 2, 3 and 4. Contact Point for Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Review the implementation of, and measures taken pursuant to, the Chapters 5. Contact Point for Technical Barriers to Trade Review the implementation of, and measures taken pursuant to, the Chapters 6. Contact Point for Trade in Services and Movement of Natural Persons Review the implementation of, and measures taken pursuant to, the Chapters 7 and 8. Contact Point for Investment Review the implementation of, and measures taken pursuant to, the Chapters 9. Contact Point for Labour Mobility Review and implementation of the Arrangement on Labour Mobility JOINT COMMITTEE & SUBSIDIARY BODIES ROLE NAME TITLE MINISTRY CONTACT PHONE EMAIL 1 Joint Committee National Focal Point / Senior Official Mr Andrew Cumpston Assistant Secretary, Pacific Economic and Trade Branch Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade +61 466 525 677 andrew.cumptson@dfat.gov.au Alternate Mr Avi Baskar Assistant Director, Pacific Economic and Trade Branch Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade +61 478 264 783 avi.baskar@dfat.gov.au Alternate Ms Daniele Northcott Assistant Director, Pacific Economic and Trade Branch Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade daniele.Northcott@dfat.gov.au Alternate Ms Chloe Patterson Policy Officer, Pacific Economic and Trade Branch Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade chloe.patterson@dfat.gov.au 2 Budget Committee Contact Point Ms Daniele Northcott Assistant Director, Pacific Economic and Trade Branch Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade daniele.Northcott@dfat.gov.au Alternate Contact Point Mr Avi Baskar Assistant Director, Pacific Economic and Trade Branch Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade +61 478 264 783 avi.baskar@dfat.gov.au Alternate Contact Point Ms Chloe Patterson Policy Officer, Pacific Economic and Trade Branch Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade chloe.patterson@dfat.gov.au 3 Trade in Goods, RoO & Customs Procedures Contact Point 4 Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Contact Point Mr Avi Baskar Assistant Director, Pacific Economic and Trade Branch Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade +61 478 264 783 avi.baskar@dfat.gov.au Alternate Contact Point Ms Susan Harcastle Assistant Director Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry susan.hardcastle@aff.gov.au Alternate Contact Point Ms Daniele Northcott Assistant Director, Pacific Economic and Trade Branch Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade daniele.Northcott@dfat.gov.au Alternate Contact Point Ms Chloe Patterson Policy Officer, Pacific Economic and Trade Branch Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade chloe.patterson@dfat.gov.au 5 Technical Barriers to Trade Contact Point Mr Avi Baskar Assistant Director, Pacific Economic and Trade Branch Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade +61 478 264 783 avi.baskar@dfat.gov.au Alternate Contact Point Ms Angela Samuel Director National Measurement Institute of Australia +61 478 264 783 Alternate Contact Point Ms Daniele Northcott Assistant Director, Pacific Economic and Trade Branch Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade daniele.Northcott@dfat.gov.au Alternate Contact Point Ms Chloe Patterson Policy Officer, Pacific Economic and Trade Branch Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade chloe.patterson@dfat.gov.au 6 Trade in Services & Movement of Natural Persons Contact Point Mr Avi Baskar Assistant Director, Pacific Economic and Trade Branch Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade +61 478 264 783 avi.baskar@dfat.gov.au Alternate Contact Point Ms Daniele Northcott Assistant Director, Pacific Economic and Trade Branch Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade daniele.Northcott@dfat.gov.au Alternate Contact Point Ms Chloe Patterson Policy Officer, Pacific Economic and Trade Branch Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade chloe.patterson@dfat.gov.au 7 Investment Contact Point Mr Avi Baskar Assistant Director, Pacific Economic and Trade Branch Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade +61 478 264 783 avi.baskar@dfat.gov.au Alternate Contact Point Ms Daniele Northcott Assistant Director, Pacific Economic and Trade Branch Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade daniele.Northcott@dfat.gov.au Alternate Contact Point Ms Chloe Patterson Policy Officer, Pacific Economic and Trade Branch Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade chloe.patterson@dfat.gov.au 8 Labour Mobility Contact Point Mr Mitchell Launder Senior Policy Officer, Pacific Economic and Trade Branch Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade mitchell.launder@dfat.gov.au Alternate Contact Point Mr Avi Baskar Assistant Director, Pacific Economic and Trade Branch Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade +61 478 264 783 avi.baskar@dfat.gov.au Alternate Contact Point Ms Daniele Northcott Assistant Director, Pacific Economic and Trade Branch Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade daniele.Northcott@dfat.gov.au Alternate Contact Point Mr Liam Brewin-Higgins Policy Officer, Labour Mobility Branch Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade chloe.patterson@dfat.gov.au JOINT COMMITTEE & SUBSIDIARY BODIES ROLE NAME TITLE MINISTRY CONTACT PHONE EMAIL 1 Joint Committee National Focal Point / Senior Official Mr Jim Armistead Director, International and Trade Affairs Division Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration +682 29347 jim.armistead@mfai.gov.ck Alternate Ms Teremoana Fukofuka Foreign Service Officer, International and Trade Affairs Division Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration +682 72885 teremoana.fukofuka@mfai.gov.ck 2 Budget Committee Contact Point Mr Jim Armistead Director, International and Trade Affairs Division Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration +682 29347 jim.armistead@mfai.gov.ck Alternate Contact Point Ms Teremoana Fukofuka Foreign Service Officer, International and Trade Affairs Division Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration +682 72885 teremoana.fukofuka@mfai.gov.ck 3 Trade in Goods, RoO & Customs Procedures Contact Point Ms Maria Matua-Ioane Chief of Customs, ASYCUDA World Tariff/Procedure Specialist, Revenue Management Division Ministry of Finance and Economic Management 68229510 maria.matua@cookislands.gov.ck Alternate Contact Point Ms Elizabeth Tetaru Senior Customs Officer – Trade and Revenue Assurance, Revenue Management Division Ministry of Finance and Economic Management 68229365 elizabeth.tetauru@cookislands.gov.ck Alternate Contact Point Ms Teremoana Fukofuka Foreign Service Officer, International and Trade Affairs Division Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration +682 72885 teremoana.fukofuka@mfai.gov.ck 4 Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Contact Point Mr Piriariki Maao Director, Biosecurity Services Division Ministry of Agriculture 64211639618 piriariki.maao@cookislands.gov.ck
PACER Plus Strategic Planning Workshop and First In Person Subsidiary Committee Meetings Held in Samoa
PACER Plus Parties are meeting in Apia this week for a Strategic Planning Workshop and a series of Subsidiary Committee meetings, bringing together officials from across the Pacific, Australia and New Zealand to progress regional trade and development priorities for the next cycle of PACER Plus. The meetings build on extensive country consultations undertaken across PACER Plus Parties between February and March 2026, during which governments, agencies and stakeholders provided input on national priorities, implementation challenges, and areas for future cooperation. Outcomes from those consultations are now being considered collectively at the regional level to help shape the next phase of PACER Plus implementation. The programme commenced with a Strategic Planning Workshop on 20–21 April 2026, focused on the development of the Development and Economic Cooperation (DEC) Work Programme for 2026–2030. The workshop provided an opportunity for national focal points and component contact points to review the draft DEC framework, discuss strategic priorities, and assess proposed projects to ensure they reflect country needs, regional priorities, and agreed PACER Plus outcomes. Participants also reviewed the PACER Plus Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Adaptation (MELA) Logical Framework for 2026–2030, which sets out a results‑based approach to guide implementation over the next five years. Discussions emphasised practical cooperation in key areas including trade facilitation, customs procedures, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, services, investment and labour mobility, with a strong focus on delivering tangible benefits for Pacific economies, businesses and communities. Following the workshop, PACER Plus Subsidiary Committee meetings will be convened 22–24 April 2026, covering: Trade in Goods, Rules of Origin and Customs Procedures. Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures and Technical Barriers to Trade. Trade in Services and the Movement of Natural Persons. Labour Mobility and associated arrangements. These meetings are particularly significant, representing the first in‑person convening of PACER Plus Subsidiary Committees and strengthening relationships among officials while enabling more detailed, solution‑focused technical discussions. More than 60 participants from PACER Plus Parties are attending the meetings in Apia, Samoa hosted at the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel and PPIU facilities. Discussions are expected to confirm priority activities for the 2026–2027 Annual Plan, guide the finalisation of the DEC Work Programme, and support coordinated, effective implementation of PACER Plus across the region. PACER Plus Parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to working together in partnership, strengthening regional integration, and ensuring that PACER Plus continues to support sustainable development, inclusive growth and economic resilience for Pacific countries. More articles like this one