Establishment of PIPA – A Historic Milestone

The 5th Pacific Islands Parliaments Group (PIPG) Conference was successfully concluded today, with the establishment of the Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (PIPA), a historic milestone for the Pacific. ​

In his closing remarks, Speaker of the Fijian Parliament the Hon. Filimone Jitoko said that this new institution represents our collective commitment to deepening regional integration and amplifying the voice of Pacific parliaments on the global stage.

“As we come to the conclusion of the 5th Pacific Islands Parliaments Conference, I stand before you with immense gratitude and pride. This is not the closure of the PIPG chapter, but the opening of a new one with rejuventation and a new sense of purpose for our community of parliaments.”

“I am confident that PIPA will serve as a beacon of co-operation, resilience, and democratic governance for our region.”

“Over the past three days, we have witnessed the power of collaboration, dialogue, and shared commitment to addressing the challenges and opportunities that define our region in this changing global landscape.”

“Together, we have explored critical issues, from global trade disruptions to sustainable development, regional integration, and the future of parliamentary co-operation in the Pacific. ​ These conversations will undoubtedly guide us as we move forward in unity and purpose.”

Hon. Jitoko acknowledged the PIPG Permanent Secretariat from the Assembly of French Polynesia and Mr Jean-Raphael for their invaluable support and collaboration in the lead up to the 5th PIPG Conference.

He also thanked the UNDP Fiji Parliament Support Project for its unwavering commitment in support to this Conference and the development partners – the governments and peoples of Australia, Japan and New Zealand, for their generous support through the UNDP FPSP.

Hon. Jitoko also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to his predecessor and His Excellency the President of Fiji Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, whose exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to democratic values continue to inspire us all.

His Excellency’s guidance has laid the foundation for meaningful progress and unity.

Member of Parliament and Head of Delegation of the Tuvalu Parliament the Hon. Monise Laafai said that this Conference has been very well organised and very useful and resourceful.

“We have come to a very important crossroad in terms of the transition from the PIPG formation to the proposed PIPA. It has been a useful and resourceful conference.”

Member for the Solomon Islands Parliament the Hon. Peter Kenilorea Junior said,

“We feel that this is a value addition to our sovereign Parliaments in each of our countries. For the Solomon Islands, we feel that the collective thinking behind certain issues jointly with other Parliaments of the Pacific, partnership opportunities with other parliamentarians as well as other bodies, having a formal Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly that we will adopt here, would help in taking us forward in terms of our Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly work.”

The Assembly of French Polynesia will now be the first Assembly to host the 1st Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly in 2026.

-Ends-