The Pacific Community (SPC) seeks to strengthen and enhance its engagement in Europe through a trust-based approach that prioritises common areas of interest, institutional visibility, and long-term collaboration. This approach is grounded in mutual respect, policy alignment, and the pursuit of common goals. This relationship-first model recognises that long-term collaboration depends on shared values, policy alignment, trust, and mutual benefits. SPC aims to position itself, and the broader Blue Pacific, as a credible and reliable technical partner, co-developing programmes with European institutions and philanthropic actors. European partners are key for the Pacific in regard to sustainable development, climate change, trade and innovation and SPC is a leading technical agency in support of sustainable development, regional resilience, and climate action for Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs).
Since 2018, SPC has had a European office, located in Paris, whose mandate is to strengthen ties with France and our European partners, particularly the European Union. SPC’s presence in Europe acknowledges the interest that SPC and Europe share in implementing development projects in the Pacific for the benefit of the peoples of the region.
SPC’s strategy towards Europe is articulated around a set of complementary components :
- Strategic Engagement and Partnerships: deepening collaboration with EU institutions, European SPC members (France, UK) and non-SPC members, more specifically countries with established regional engagement, Pacific missions in Europe, UN institutions based in Europe, Research institutes, the private sector, and philanthropic foundations.
- Visibility and Advocacy: Enhancing SPC’s influence in European policy discussions and strengthening its presence in key European capitals such as Paris, Brussels, Bonn, Geneva, as well as at high-level events or conferences organised in Europe
- Building Trust and Common Interest: Positioning SPC as a science and technical agency for the Blue Pacific, with Improving the visibility of Pacific issues and SPC’s role in addressing such challenges
- Strategic Engagement for Resource Mobilisation: Accessing a diversified portfolio of funding instruments to support SPC’s strategic objectives, once trust and partnerships are solidified.
To achieve those goals, the office is establishing close ties with its European counterparts and serves as a link to all SPC Divisions and Programmes.
