Pacific Island ministers have endorsed a landmark strategy to overhaul agriculture and forestry across the region by 2050.
The “Growing the Pacific 2050 Strategy” was formally adopted at the 4th Meeting of Pacific Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry, concluding the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry (PWAF) in Nukuʻalofa, Tonga. The strategy outlines five interconnected pathways—healthy, regenerative, secure, integrated, and enabled—designed to guide transformative action in the sector.
Tonga’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Hon. Dr Siosiua Moala Halavatau, opened the ministerial meeting by highlighting shared regional challenges such as climate change, youth migration, and an aging farming population.
“Agriculture and forestry are vital for the Pacific, as they are the backbones of our economies and the foundation of our food security. But they face significant challenges,” said Dr Halavatau. “Partnership brings us together today in a genuine effort to work together towards a vibrant, sustainable, and resilient future for Pacific peoples and countries.”
The strategy includes eight catalytic initiatives for 2025–2030, focusing on areas such as One Health, regenerative practices, climate-resilient systems, biosecurity, agrobiodiversity, and enhancing data and education systems.
FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands, Guangzhou Qu, reaffirmed FAO’s support, emphasizing the value of traditional knowledge.
“Guided by examples from across our Pacific nations, we envision a future where healthy soils thrive, farmer organizations lead, transparent data informs our decisions, and biodiversity flourishes,” said Qu. “By empowering our youth and integrating indigenous knowledge, we can drive innovation that transforms Pacific agrifood systems, leaving no one behind.”
SPC’s Deputy Director-General (Science and Capability), Dr Paula Vivili, highlighted the cultural significance of food in the Pacific.
“Let us also not forget that food is identity in the Pacific. Our region has immense food heritage and genetic wealth. We must protect it, celebrate it, and build systems that ensure its benefits for Pacific people,” he said. “Today, through discussions on invasive species, climate-informed food systems planning, and domestic production, we are collectively shaping strategies that are tailored, timely, and rooted in national priorities.”
The week-long PWAF event, themed “Transform Agriculture & Forestry: More Regeneration, More Productivity, More Resilience,” brought together governments, NGOs, community-based organizations, and the private sector to chart a transformative path for agriculture and forestry in the region. The fifth PWAF will be hosted by the Solomon Islands in 2027.
FAO and SPC reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Pacific Island Countries in tackling climate change, food insecurity, and environmental degradation, working collaboratively to build a more resilient and sustainable future for all.
