European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela concludes more than a week-long mission to Fiji, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. The main objective of the mission was to strengthen the EU-Pacific partnership and promote the EU’s Global Gateway investment strategy in the strategic region.
With this objective corresponds also the Commissioner’s agenda during the mission. Síkela announced a major, nearly €300 million investment package, participated in the first-ever EU-Pacific Business Forum, and met high-level representatives from Pacific partner countries. To promote mutual cooperation, he also visited a number of EU-funded projects.
Commissioner Síkela said: “The Pacific region is an important partner for the European Union, and I believe that my mission brought what is was supposed to – strengthened European presence in this strategic region and supported our long-term political and economic ties. The first-ever EU–Pacific Business Forum has shown our determination to unlock opportunities for Pacific businesses, while EU initiatives in Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea demonstrate our focus on tangible, lasting benefits. Nearly €300 million in new investments and budget support will help us advance shared priorities – resilience to climate change, digitalization, development of modern infrastructure and sustainable economic growth – ultimately improving the quality of life for people in both regions. Together in a win-win partnership, we turn those priorities into action through the Global Gateway strategy.”
The new EU-Pacific investment package
The investment package, unveiled at the EU-Pacific Business Forum in Fiji, aims to boost sustainable economic development and strengthen the resilience to climate change in the Pacific. It includes several new agreements and financial disbursements in the following strategic sectors:
- Ocean, climate change and environment: strengthening sustainability, resilience and climate-supportive businesses across the region, particularly in Fiji, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, and Wallis-et-Futuna.
- Energy: enhancing renewable and sustainable energy like a sustainable energy programme in the Solomon Islands and constructing two solar power plants in Papua New Guinea.
- Water, sanitation and health: improving access to clean water and necessary water services for people in Papua New Guinea and Samoa.
- Agriculture: strengthening value chains in the agricultural sector in Vanuatu and boosting Tuvalu’s coconut sector.
- Trade/Private sector: bolstering trade development and the green and blue economy across the Pacific and Timor-Leste.
- Good governance: strengthening governance, resilience and institutional capacity in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste.
- Infrastructure: upgrading ports and bridges in the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Kiribati, to create jobs and boost local economies
During his visit in Vanuatu, the Commissioner announced the first disbursement of €5 million to develop climate-resilient agricultural systems and empower rural communities – key to food security and long-term prosperity in the country.
In Papua New Guinea (PNG), the visit also served to celebrate the country’s 50th anniversary of independence. On this occasion, the Commissioner and the Minister for National Planning, Ano Pala, signed a new EU budget support programme to enhance sustainable forest management, address climate change, improve access to clean water, and strengthen governance so that institutions can serve citizens more effectively and provide better access to justice. This comes in addition to the final €1 million disbursement under the ongoing budget support programme for good governance in PNG.
EU-Pacific Business Forum
One of the highlights of the visit was the first-ever EU-Pacific Business Forum, held in Nadi, Fiji on 4-5 September. It brought together high-level EU and Pacific policymakers, private sector leaders, investors to unlock trade and investment opportunities, showcase concrete projects, and build lasting business partnerships.
Moreover, as a direct outcome and continuity of the Forum, the EU intends to establish a bilateral EU-Pacific entity that focuses solely on commerce and trade.
The leaders during the EU-Pacific Business Forum also announced the event will be held every two years, providing a regular platform for strengthening long-term economic ties between both regions.
During his Pacific tour, Commissioner Síkela met with high-level government representatives across the Pacific to deepen political and economic cooperation.
He also visited EU-funded projects on the ground, including schools in Vanuatu being rebuilt together with UNICEF to serve as safe learning spaces for children and emergency shelters for communities, and Fiji’s first national park – the Sigatoka Sand Dunes that the EU helps preserve, while also supporting eco-tourism and community resilience in the Pacific.
The visit came ahead of the Global Gateway Forum that takes place in Brussels on 9-10 October – where representatives of the Pacific region will also participate – set to advance global connectivity in the face of geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges.
About Global Gateway
Global Gateway is the EU’s positive offer to reduce the worldwide investment disparity and boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems.
The Global Gateway strategy embodies a Team Europe approach that brings together the European Union, EU Member States, and European development finance institutions, including the European Investment Bank. This approach aims to mobilise up to €300 billion in public and private investments from 2021 to 2027, creating essential links rather than dependencies, and closing the global investment gap.
For More Information
EU-Pacific Business Forum – European Commission
Global Gateway – European Commission
Global Gateway Forum
