A new forum for Development Partners will accelerate E-commerce in the Pacific

The inaugural meeting of the Pacific E-commerce Development Partners Sub-committee took place on 15 August 2024, marking a significant milestone in the effort to streamline and coordinate e-commerce development across the Blue Pacific.

The Pacific E-commerce Initiative, launched in 2018, aims to advance e-commerce in the region. The Forum Trade Ministers in 2021 endorsed the Pacific Regional E-commerce Strategy and Roadmap, which now serves as the guiding the framework for e-commerce development under the Initiative.

Achieving the goals outlined in the Pacific Regional E-commerce Strategy requires a robust governance mechanism to monitor, coordinate, and provide strategic oversight of implementation. To this end, the Pacific E-commerce Committee was established in 2022 and has met twice since. A Sub-committee for the Private Sector followed in 2023 and met in March 2024. The newly established Pacific E-commerce Development Partners Sub-committee, formed in 2023, completes this framework.

The convening of this Sub-committee allows key stakeholders to review the performance of existing regional e-commerce projects, discuss future initiatives that align with the recommendations of the E-commerce Committee, and coordinate efforts to maximize impact and ensure value for money. Development partners, including donor organizations, regional and international development agencies, banks, and managers of donor-funded e-commerce initiatives, play a critical role in implementing the Pacific Regional E-commerce Strategy.

In his opening remarks, Pacific Islands Forum Director of Programmes and Initiatives, Zarak Khan, emphasised that the regional Strategy is ‘Aligned with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and contributes notably to the ambitions of the Resources and Economic Development, and Technology and Connectivity Thematic Areas.’ He also highlighted that that 46 development partners, including implementing agencies and donor partners, are supporting the implementation of the Strategy.

More than 30 participants attended the meeting, which provided an opportunity to review the progress of implementation and survey results conducted in 2023. These surveys detailed priorities from the private sector, donor partners, and implementing agencies. Participants were encouraged to continue reporting their activities, engage in dialogue, and consider alignment with Pacific needs. Additionally, USAID, the Commonwealth Secretariat, UNESCAP, UNCTAD, and the World Bank,. presented their current and upcoming e-commerce programs.

Vashti Maharaj, Digital Trade Adviser for the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda and Deputy Chair of the Sub-committee successfully led the inaugural meeting. She stated, ‘As key players supporting the implementation of the Pacific E-commerce Regional Strategy, it is essential that we periodically unite to discuss, reflect, and plan for the future.’

The meeting was convened virtually and organized by the Pacific Islands Forum. The next meeting is anticipated for the first half of 2025.