As part of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ broader engagement at UNGA80, the PRF Partners Roundtable Talanoa was convened at the UN Headquarters on 23 September. The event marked the launch of the PRF Capitalisation Memorandum for Investors and officially opened the global pledging window for the next 15 months from September 2025 to December 2026.
At the launch, Forum Chair and Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Jeremiah Manele remarked, “We call on our partners to recognise and invest in the PRF as a credible, innovative and transformative self-financing solution, that is a feasible and sustainable alternative to the issue of scarce public resources.”
Building on the historic signing of the agreement establishing the PRF at the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting two weeks ago in Honiara, the event provided an opportunity to showcase the Pacific’s bold vision and leadership on the global stage.
In recognition of the facility’s game-changing impact, development partners expressed strong support for the PRF. Ireland pledged €3 million ahead of the Talanoa, Portugal announced a €1 million pledge, and Germany, through the president of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly, affirmed a €5 million contribution. This brings total pledges to $166 million to date.
Reiterating the importance of the PRF, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative Rabab Fatima said, “The PRF is urgent because Pacific nations face the most severe climate threats. The PRF changes this equation. It brings resources directly to the communities that need them most – before crisis becomes catastrophe.”
The PRF Talanoa attracted high-level participation from Ireland, Germany, Portugal, Norway, Japan and the United Kingdom.
“Your investment will strengthen the resilience of our Pacific communities, transform their lives and create lasting benefits for our people and the planet – now and for future generations,” remarked Dr. ‘Aisake Valu Eke, prime minister of the Government of the Kingdom of Tonga.
Demonstrating Forum Leaders’ strong commitment to establishing the PRF, the president of the Republic of Nauru David Adeang deposited his instrument of ratification, becoming the second Forum member after Tonga – the host of the PRF – to do so since the treaty signing in Honiara.
The PRF Roundtable Talanoa is part of a high-level capitalisation advocacy campaign to raise the facility’s initial target of $500 million.
“This is our moment to show the global community that our solidarity, leadership, vision, courage and decisive action are the key to humanity’s survival where no one is left behind,” Tuvalu Prime Minister and Chair for Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) Feleti Penitala Teo OBE said in his closing remarks.
