The Government of Vanuatu and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) opened the 2026 Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Solutions Forum in Port Vila on 3 November.
The forum runs for four days under the theme "Solutions for a Resilient Blue Pacific: Scaling Innovation and Financing Agrifood Systems Transformation", with 12 side events and exhibitions of Pacific-led work on food, agriculture and fisheries.
Agriculture, fisheries and food production are central to the economies of many Pacific Island countries, but each country faces its own problems in making its agrifood sector resilient to global shocks and climate change, FAO and the Vanuatu government said in a joint statement.
Opening the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Management Hon Johnny Koanapo Rasou said Pacific leaders recognise the transformation of agrifood systems as a key driver of sustainable development, resilience and economic growth.
"Our region does not lack ideas. What we need are the investments and partnerships that can take our best solutions from the pilot stage to every island community. Vanuatu is ready to lead that effort together with our Pacific neighbours and partners," Koanapo Rasou said.
He said recent climate-related shocks, including the effects of El Niño across the Pacific and cyclones and earthquakes in Vanuatu, had exposed food insecurity and supply chain disruption and showed the need for resilient local agrifood systems.
After a traditional welcome and cultural ceremony, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Biosecurity Hon Ian Wilson Toagalana welcomed participants on behalf of the government and people of Vanuatu.
The forum follows earlier meetings in Samoa in 2022 and Fiji in 2024, which showcased more than 80 solutions and brought in more than US$3.4 million in commitments, according to the joint statement. This year's meeting is focused on linking investment-ready solutions with financing and partnerships.
In a virtual address, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said transforming agrifood systems requires three things together: solutions tested and adapted to local ecosystems, cultures and national priorities; partnerships across public and private actors, scientific institutions and communities; and financing to carry them out.
Too many good ideas remained at the pilot stage and too many innovators lacked access to capital, technology, markets and infrastructure, QU said, adding that an innovation that cannot be financed cannot be scaled.
Hundreds of participants are expected, including policymakers, development partners, international financial institutions, community leaders, entrepreneurs and private-sector representatives. The FAO delegation includes Deputy Director-General Maurizio Martina, Assistant Directors-General Mohamed Manssouri and Alue Dohong, and Chief Economist Máximo Torero Cullen.
The forum closes on 6 November with the adoption of an outcome document setting out agreed priorities and actions for the region.