Australia and Fiji Ratify Pacific Resilience Facility Treaty, Triggering Entry into Force
In a historic milestone for Pacific regional climate action and resilience, the Agreement to Establish the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF Treaty) officially entered into force today following the joint presentation of instruments of ratification by Australia and Fiji in Suva.
The instruments were deposited with the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretary General, Baron Divavesi Waqa, by Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon. Penny Wong, alongside Hon. Sakiasi Ditoka, Fiji’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade.
“Today marks a defining milestone and decisive step forward in our region’s collective journey in securing a resilient future for our Blue Pacific region,” said Secretary General Waqa.
Amidst a global energy crisis, the Secretary General underlined Members’ unique position to underscore the importance of the PRF as a mechanism to invest in energy security, clean energy transition, and climate adaptation at community level.
The Secretary General acknowledged the contribution and support of partners, investors, and the international community to the PRF, and emphasised that the region will “act with urgency, unity, and purpose to capitalize the PRF, and to protect the integrity of our Forum Leaders’ vision for a secure and resilient future for our Blue Pacific region”.
The PRF was first endorsed by Forum Leaders in 2023 under the Declaration on its establishment during their meeting in the Cook Islands. In 2024, Leaders agreed to designate Tonga as the PRF host country, reinforcing regional ownership and solidarity. The PRF Treaty enters into force just eight months after it was signed by 15 Forum Leaders during their meeting in Solomon Islands in 2025, demonstrating strong political resolve.
The PRF marks a significant achievement for Pacific regionalism, uniting countries behind a practical and visionary mechanism grounded in the realities of Pacific communities. Forum Members have underscored the need for continued urgency and collective effort to fully capitalize the Facility and ensure it delivers lasting resilience for future generations. Total pledges to capitalize the PRF have now reached US$172 million of the initial capitalization target of US$500 million by December 2026, with a longer-term goal of USD$1.5 billion in capitalization for a 1.5° world.
The entering into force of the PRF Treaty is both significant and timely, particularly as Fiji and Tuvalu are preparing to host the COP31 pre-COP climate events later this year, and Australia leading as the President of Negotiations. It also triggers the convening of the inaugural PRF Council meeting, which is scheduled to be held immediately following the Forum Economic Ministers Meeting in June 2026, to be hosted by the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
In addition to Australia and Fiji, Tonga, Nauru, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, and New Zealand have also ratified the Treaty and are now PRF Members.
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-PIFS Communications