The 10th Regional Meeting of the Pacific Heads of Agriculture and Forestry Services (PHOAFS) convened from 28–29 May 2025 in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, uniting agriculture and forestry leaders from 22 Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTS), alongside development partners, civil society, and private sector stakeholders.
Hosted by the Government of Tonga and supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Pacific Community (SPC), the meeting aimed to strengthen collaboration and deliver practical solutions to the region’s pressing agriculture and forestry challenges, including climate change, soil degradation, invasive species, and food system resilience.
Tonga’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forests, the Honourable Dr Siosiua Halavatau, opened the meeting by acknowledging the urgent environmental challenges facing the Pacific. “Climate change and declining soil health are threatening our food security,” he said. “But through innovation, shared knowledge, and collective action, we can find regional solutions.”
FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands, Guangzhou Qu, highlighted the need to foster united action for transformative change. “The Pacific stands at a critical juncture where united action can transform climate challenges into opportunities. By advancing climate-smart agriculture and empowering youth and farmers, we can build a resilient and sustainable future for all.”
Key achievements during the meeting included the endorsement of the Regional Research Agenda Framework, which facilitates Pacific-led research, and support for continued knowledge-sharing initiatives, such as the Journal of Agriculture and Forestry in the Pacific and regional research symposia. The heads endorsed SPC’s Land Resources Division Business Plan 2025-2031 for operation with support for implementation and periodic reviews over the next seven-year period.
The heads endorsed the rollout of the first five-year Implementation Plan for the long-term Growing the Pacific Strategy (2025–2030); endorsement for the foundational phase of Pacific Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (PACS), which targets climate-resilient food systems grounded in indigenous and nutritious crops; and the endorsement of the second edition of the Guiding Framework for Invasive Species Management in the Pacific.
During the two-day meeting, countries shared their aspirations for the next year, including the United Kingdom, which presented a statement for the first time since rejoining the SPC in 2021.
A new publication, Hedge, Border and Living Fence Plants of the Pacific Islands, by Professor Randy Thaman, was also officially launched at the meeting.
Director of SPC’s Land Resources Division, Karen Mapusua, commended the region’s progress.
“The Pacific is leading the way in building systems that are not only resilient but rooted in our own knowledge, values, and innovation. Our work here is driven by the region, for the region.”
The meeting also underscored the importance of inclusivity, recognising the role of farmer organisations, youth, and people with disabilities in shaping the future of agriculture and forestry. A dynamic Youth Panel shared bold ideas for community-led innovation, education initiatives, and sustainable practices.
The Meeting of the Pacific Heads of Agriculture and Forestry Services also included updates on:
- Climate transparency through the development of measurement and verification systems aligned with the Paris Agreement;
- The role of Digital Earth Pacific in advancing satellite monitoring for agriculture, forestry, and climate resilience; and
- Strengthened cooperation through technical networks such as the Pacific Heads of Veterinary and Animal Production Services (PHOVAPS) and the Pacific Plant Protection Organisation (PPPO).
The meeting concluded with renewed calls for sustainable funding mechanisms, regional research governance, and stronger integration of agriculture and forestry in biodiversity and climate dialogues.
Chair and CEO of Tonga’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests, Dr Viliami Manu, closed the meeting by affirming, “Only through collaboration, innovation, and the stewardship of our collective wisdom can we ensure a food-secure and climate-resilient Pacific.”
The next heads and ministers meeting, together with the Pacific Week of Agriculture Forestry, will be hosted by the Solomon Islands.
