The Asian Development Bank and the Pacific Islands Forum have signed a new Partnership Agreement aimed at deepening regional cooperation and accelerating integration across the Pacific.
The agreement was formalised on 20 February 2026 by ADB President Masato Kanda and Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa. It establishes a comprehensive framework to align the two organisations’ financial resources, policy expertise and regional networks in support of a more resilient and sustainable Pacific.
ADB President Masato Kanda (right) and Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa sign a Partnership Agreement in Suva to deepen collaboration and promote regional cooperation and integration across the Pacific. Photo: supplied.
Mr Kanda said the geographically dispersed and remote nature of Pacific island countries made regional collaboration not just desirable but necessary. “The strength of the Pacific lies in its unity. By standing together, we can achieve common objectives — from protecting shared ocean resources to building economic resilience — far more effectively than any country could alone,” he said, describing the agreement as a platform to “think bigger and move faster”.
Mr Waqa said the partnership reinforced Pacific-led approaches to development and climate action. He noted that the collaboration would support mobilisation of climate and development finance in line with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific, the region’s long-term vision for collective action.
ADB and the Pacific Islands Forum each bring more than five decades of engagement in the region. While they have worked together for over 30 years, the new agreement formalises cooperation across priority areas including economic competitiveness, fiscal resilience, disaster preparedness, community empowerment and the blue economy.
Among the initiatives highlighted under the partnership are a Regional Programmatic Approach for Climate Action, the Pacific Fiscal Resilience Initiative and a proposed multi-donor trust fund for disaster risk financing. These mechanisms are designed to help Pacific countries pool resources, harmonise policies and manage shared risks more effectively.
Founded in 1966 and owned by 69 members, including 50 from the Asia-Pacific region, ADB remains one of the principal sources of development finance and technical assistance for Pacific island economies.
