Civil society calls for stronger voice in regional decision-making

The Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) has renewed calls for civil society to be formally included in Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) decision-making, saying their voices remain at the “mercy” of rotating chair governments. 

FCOSS executive director Vani Catanasiga said while this year’s forum in Honiara, Solomon Islands offered more meaningful engagement, the region still lacked a permanent mechanism for civil society participation. 

“The CSO-Leaders Dialogue was longer and more interactive than last year, and that is a credit to the Solomon Islands government for their goodwill as chair,” Ms Catanasiga said. 

“But over the years, our participation has depended on the leadership style of incoming chairs. That is why we are pushing to be fully integrated into the regional architecture.” 

Ms Catanasiga said local organisations, including the Development Services Exchange and the Pacific Islands Association of NGOs, hosted the Pacific Peoples Forum on the sidelines of the leaders’ meeting. Civil Society Organisation (CSO) representatives also took part in side events, including discussions with Tuvalu’s Prime Minister on gender equality. 

On issues affecting communities, Mr Catanasiga welcomed the formal establishment of the Pacific Resilience Facility, a financing mechanism for climate adaptation and disaster preparedness. 

“We look forward to clarifying how frontline communities will access and monitor the projects it funds,” she said. 

However, she expressed concern that leaders’ communiques often remain “detached” from grassroots realities. 

“Financing and support must reach frontline communities,” she added. 

“Too often, leaders are distracted by peripheral matters such as Australia’s bid to host COP.” 

Civil society groups used the Pacific Peoples Forum to launch “Minimum Standards for Community-Led Adaptation and Climate Relocation,” urging leaders and development partners to adopt people-centered approaches. 

Ms Catanasiga also welcomed the Solomon Islands government’s decision to limit development partners’ presence at the 2025 Forum, saying it allowed CSOs to speak more frankly about geopolitics and external influence. 

“CSOs will continue to remind leaders to put Pacific people at the center of their leadership,” she said. “If they do that, they won’t go wrong.”