JUST hours after the Pacific Energy and Transport Ministers endorsed the outcome of PRETMM6 and warned that the region remained dangerously exposed to imported fuel shocks, Pacific Islands Forum leaders moved to strengthen regional preparedness.
In a significant step, leaders have invoked the Pacific Islands Forum Biketawa Declaration to support a coordinated regional response to the emerging energy crisis, as ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global fuel supply chains.
PIFS Director of Governance and Engagement, Salome Taufa, sat in as an observer at PRETMM6 and spoke to Islands business about the intention behind this.
“This is our regions framework that provides coordinated support in times of crisis, and so this has been triggered before, the recent one was to provide support to members during the COVID19 pandemic,” she said.
“This has now been triggered by members to put in place a coordinated mechanism, so that we are more coordinated in our approach and then we will look at developing some of the responses to the countries, it is not a one-size-fit-all solution but in the coming weeks our senior officials, our foreign leaders will discuss what that response will look like.”
At PRETMM6, ministers acknowledged that Pacific countries remain highly vulnerable because of continued dependence on imported fossil fuels, warning that fuel price volatility, supply chain disruptions and rising fiscal pressures pose serious risks to island economies.
Those concerns are now playing out against a rapidly shifting global energy landscape.
Ministers reaffirmed the Pacific’s ambition to move toward 100 percent renewable energy and a fossil-fuel-free future, recognising that energy independence is no longer just about climate goals, but resilience and security.
At the same time, ministers also emphasised that energy and maritime transport are deeply interconnected and must be planned together, a recognition reflected in the formal strengthening of the Pacific One Maritime Framework.
Forum Leaders’ latest decision under Biketawa adds a separate but complementary layer of regional coordination.
A dedicated CROP Taskforce on the Middle East crisis has now been established to monitor developments, align technical advice and provide timely analysis for leaders.
It is a short-term crisis coordination mechanism.
PRETMM6, by contrast, remains the long-term regional policy platform for energy and transport transition.
Together, they reflect two sides of the same Pacific challenge, immediate fuel risks while accelerating long-term energy transition.
