Pacific Ministers Endorse Landmark Strategy to Transform Agriculture and Forestry by 2050
News Desk | 30 May 2025
Nuku’alofa, Tonga – In a major step towards strengthening food systems and climate resilience in the region, Pacific Island ministers of agriculture and forestry have officially endorsed the Growing the Pacific 2050 Strategy at the 4th Regional Meeting of Pacific Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry, held in Nuku’alofa today.
The endorsement marks a milestone in the region’s collective efforts to transition towards resilient, sustainable, and inclusive agrifood systems, following a week of high-level dialogue and collaboration during the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry (PWAF), hosted by the Kingdom of Tonga.
The strategy is structured around five interwoven pathways—healthy, regenerative, secure, integrated, and enabled—and introduces eight catalytic initiatives to be implemented from 2025 to 2030. These include efforts to promote One Health approaches, regenerative practices, climate-resilient agriculture, strengthened biosecurity, and investments in youth, data, and education systems.
In his opening remarks, Tonga’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Hon. Dr Siosiua Moala Halavatau, underscored the urgency of regional cooperation.
“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,” Dr Halavatau said. “Partnership brings us together today in a genuine effort to work towards a vibrant, sustainable, and resilient future for Pacific peoples and countries.”
FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands, Guangzhou Qu, emphasised that traditional knowledge and community-based solutions offer valuable tools for building climate resilience.
“By empowering our youth and integrating indigenous knowledge, we can drive innovation that transforms Pacific agrifood systems, leaving no one behind,” Qu said.
Dr Paula Vivili, Deputy Director-General (Science and Capability) of the Pacific Community (SPC), highlighted the deep cultural connection between Pacific peoples and food.
“Food is identity in the Pacific. Our region holds immense food heritage and genetic wealth. We must protect it, celebrate it, and build systems that ensure its benefits for Pacific people,” Dr Vivili noted.
The PWAF 2025 brought together governments, non-governmental organisations, community-based groups, and the private sector to forge a united path forward. The event also focused on addressing shared regional challenges, including out-migration, an aging farmer population, and the increasing impacts of climate change on agriculture and forestry.
The event was officially opened by Her Royal Highness Princess Sinaitakala Tukuʻaho, underlining Tonga’s commitment to advancing food security and environmental stewardship.
Organised by Tonga’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Pacific Community (SPC), PWAF served as a key platform for aligning strategies and fostering knowledge exchange across the Pacific.
As the week-long event concluded, Pacific countries agreed that the next Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry will be hosted by Solomon Islands in 2027.
FAO and SPC reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Pacific Island countries in achieving long-term sustainability in the face of climate change, food insecurity, and environmental degradation.
