Australia has a strong relationship with countries in the Pacific region. Events such as the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry (PWAF) are an opportunity for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to further grow the relationship with our Pacific neighbours.
In May, the Australian Chief Plant Protection Officer, Dr Gabrielle Vivian-Smith, joined the Australian delegation attending the 4th PWAF event, held in Nuku'alofa in Tonga. The Australian delegation was led by the department’s Deputy Secretary Tina Hutchison and included Special Representative for Australian Agriculture Su McCluskey, staff from the department’s Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer, the Sustainability, Climate and Strategy Division, and colleagues from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
PWAF is held every two years and brings together Ministers and Heads of Agriculture, leaders, experts, stakeholders from Pacific islands countries and territories and donor partners. This year’s theme, ‘Transform Agriculture & Forestry - More Regeneration, More Productivity, More Resilience’, highlighting the need for sustainable practices, enhanced productivity, and resilience in the face of climate change and other regional challenges. This year the event was officially launched by Her Royal Highness, Princess Sinaitakala Tuku’aho.
During the event, the Australian delegation co-hosted official side events and participated in numerous bilateral meetings from Pacific countries including Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Tonga and New Zealand. DAFF supported the Pacific Heads of Veterinary and Animal Production Services (PHOVAPS) and the Pacific Plant Protection Organisation (PPPO) in their delivery of official side events on high pathogenicity avian influenza and the importance of not introducing pest species when providing humanitarian aid in disaster situations.
Dr Vivian-Smith supported Ms Hutchison at the 10th Pacific Heads of Agriculture and Forestry Services meeting, where discussions took place on shared priorities across agriculture and forestry sectors. She also joined other Agriculture and Forestry Ministers at the 4th Pacific Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry meeting.
Tanuvasa Semy Siakimotu, the Country Manager for the Solomon Islands Biosecurity Development Program (SIBDP), attended PWAF as part of the Solomon Islands government delegation. He highlighted the importance of the event to the Pacific community, “The PWAF event brought the family together, enabling regional talanoa (dialogue), and the opportunity to discuss key challenges and opportunities for the agriculture sector in the region.”
DAFF’s participation in PWAF aligns with the Australian Government’s long-term partnerships and engagements with the Pacific region and supports the DAFF Biosecurity 2030 Road Map. Solomon Islands will host the next PWAF in 2027.
