European Union in the Pacific

🌊 To mark World Ocean Day, the EU Delegation joined The University of the South Pacific to launch three new Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) on Sea Urchins, Coconut Crabs and Octopus developed through the Pacific - EU Marine Partnership (PEUMP) programme!

These free, self-paced online courses are open to everyone regardless of location and background! They complement other open courses on SDG 14: LIFE Below Water and on sharks and rays that were also developed by USP staff through the PEUMP programme.

📌Explore and sign-up to register for the courses here: https://openpasifika.usp.ac.fj/

At the launch, the EU also joined Pacific Ocean Litter Youth Project-POLYP for a beach clean-up to raise awareness on marine pollution, collecting over 50kg of waste washed up on the campus shoreline.

Let’s build momentum towards the Pacific pre-COP, putting the oceans at the heart of our climate action.

🌏 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS — Pacific Youth Sounding Board

Are you passionate about climate action, gender equality, human rights, or creating positive change in the Pacific?

The European Union in the Pacific is inviting young leaders aged 18–30 from across the region to apply for the Pacific Youth Sounding Board (PYSB).

✨ Be part of a diverse regional youth network
✨ Contribute to shaping EU-Pacific programmes
✨ Receive leadership training and advocacy support
✨ Participate in regional virtual and in-person engagements

📍 Open to applicants from:

Cook Islands, Fiji, FSM, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

📅 Applications now close: 22 June 2026

Apply here: https://events.eprd.pl/pacific-youth-sounding-board/

The EU is building a partnership with the Solomon Islands on mutual interest and shared responsibility, looking at strategic investments beyond development cooperation.
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Read more in the press release👇

European Union Strengthens Partnership with Solomon Islands on Sustainable Development and Global Gateway The European Union reaffirmed its enduring partnership with the Solomon Islands through a three-day official visit by H.E. Barbara Plinkert, EU Ambassador to the Pacific, and Mr Peteris Ustubs, Director for Asia, Central Asia and the Pacific at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Inter...

𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝐄𝐔 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬!

On 6 June, Ambassador Plinkert and Director Peteris Ustubs visited the Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project (UWSSSP) in the Solomon Islands, seeing how EU support is bringing clean, climate-resilient water to thousands of people. From newly commissioned water tanks to sanitation upgrades, this project is improving lives, ensuring no one is left behind.

A key part of , our partnership with Solomon Water is building sustainable infrastructure that stands the test of time.

𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜!

During their visit to the Solomon Islands, Ambassador Barbara Plinkert together with Mr Peteris Ustubs, Director for Asia, Central Asia, and the Pacific in the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) visited the site of a future Bina Harbour in the Malaita province of the Solomon Islands, to explore EU funding for a game-changing tuna processing plant and port – creating 1,600 jobs, boosting local trade, and building climate resilience.

Why it matters: More jobs & local value—keeping tuna profits in Solomon Islands; Climate-smart infrastructure—designed to withstand cyclones; Stronger EU-Pacific trade—Solomon Islands is a top 5 tuna supplier to the EU.

Under , the EU is ready to invest in this vision—supporting sustainable growth and shared prosperity.
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Ambassador Barbara Plinkert is currently visiting the Solomon Islands together with Mr Peteris Ustubs, Director for Asia, Central Asia and the Pacific in the European Commission's Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA).

Substantial discussions were held with key members of the newly-appointed government, including Deputy Prime Minister Francis Sade, Minister of Finance and Treasury Gordon Darcy Lilo, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development Franklyn Derek Nasi, Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification Derrick Rawcliffe Manuari, and Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening Alfred Lazarus Rimah, reviewing cooperation on energy, water, infrastructure and reconfirming strong EU-Solomon Islands partnership.

With great potential under the EU's Strategy, we look forward to expanding the EU-Solomon Islands cooperation further with future engagement.
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The mission continues with visits to Malaita, including the Bina Harbour site and Feu bridge, as well as to the Solomon Water Office and key water infrastructure facilities over the next days.

The EU is a world leader in trade: a market of 450 million consumers and the top trading partner for 66 countries, representing 52% of the world's GDP. Today, EU Chargé d’affaires Nereo García delivered the opening remarks at the Pacific ACP Trade Officials Meeting, highlighting that, in the current volatile global economy, the EU remains a predictable and reliable partner, committed to a rules-based, fair, and open trading system.

Through the interim Economic Partnership Agreement (iEPA) the EU supports resilient supply chains, economic diversification, and sustainable investment in Pacific Island Countries creating local jobs, ensuring food security, and expanding exports to the EU. Later this year, the EU will launch the Pacific Trade and Sustainable Development programme (Pac-TSD) Programme, a EUR 10 million initiative (more than FJD 25 million) designed to help Pacific countries leverage the EU market for green, inclusive, and resilient development.

The EU and the Pacific share a common vision: a future where trade drives prosperity, sustainability, and resilience. iEPA and Pac-TSD are our tools to make this vision a reality. Let us continue to build on our successes, address our challenges together, and seize the opportunities that lie ahead. The EU remains your reliable partner—today, tomorrow, and in the years to come.

Photo credit: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat

🇪🇺🤝🌏 Strengthening regional cooperation in the Pacific.

Today, Team Europe met with Pacific Islands Forum Deputy Secretary General Esala Nayasi and Regional Governance Adviser Nikola Komailevuka to exchange views on the ongoing Review of Regional Architecture and preparations for the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting ( ) in Palau.

The discussion highlighted the importance of an effective, responsive, and inclusive regional architecture that can address the Pacific’s priorities and challenges while strengthening regional cooperation.

🌊 As the Blue Pacific region continues to evolve, how can regional organizations best serve Pacific communities and future generations?

European Union in the Pacific AmbaFrance Fidji