European Union in the Pacific

29/10/2026

🇪🇺 The European Union is committed to building the capacity and resilience against cyber threats in Fiji and was fully engaged at this week’s inaugural Cyber Security and Resilience Convention in Suva, organised by Fiji’s Ministry of Policing and Communications.

Exploring how cybercriminals exploit people rather than just technology, the EU Delegation joined regional experts in a panel discussion on the human side of cyber security, sharing the EU’s lessons on keeping women and children safe online, while emphasising opportunities to learn from each other.

engagement is fully aligned with Fiji’s priorities – empowering the youth through international cooperation.

Stay tuned for more to come under EU CyberNet next year!

28/10/2026

Empowering the next generation: The National Cybersecurity and Resilience Convention featured a live Capture-the-Flag hackathon where 40 secondary students and 10 university mentors tackled real-world threat scenarios, creating a definitive cybersecurity career pipeline for Fiji's youth.

Organised in partnership with Fiji’s Ministry of Policing and Communications, this practical exercise facilitated by the EU CyberNet project experts with the support of the European Union allowed teams of students to work directly with university mentors to investigate a simulated online scam using open-source intelligence.

Huge congratulations to all the participants and winners.

28/10/2026

The is reinforcing its role as a reliable security partner in the Indo-Pacific at the inaugural National Cybersecurity and Resilience Convention 2026 in Suva, Fiji.

Hosted by Fiji’s Ministry of Policing and Communications with expert support from the EU CyberNet project, the event brought together 250 participants and was opened by Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Manoa Kamikamica, serving as a key platform for active policy dialogues and contributions from EU CyberNet experts Mr Faraz Khan and Mr Vytenis Benetis alongside senior regional practitioners.

The convention marks the Cybersecurity Awareness Month bringing together local technology leaders and international partners to strengthen the country's digital resilience.

27/10/2026

🇪🇺 🇹🇴 𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐀: 𝐖𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡

Facing external shocks like El Niño or fuel disruption, the is working with Tonga to deliver on its priorities to boost:

🔋 Energy Resilience
🧑‍💼 Jobs for Young People
📈 Long-Term Prosperity

One example is a ClimSA project that equips communities with tools to prepare and respond to droughts.

Looking ahead, the EU stands ready to advance Global Gateway investments in the Pacific.

The mission to Tonga, led by the Deputy Head of Delegation Nereo Peñalver García, took place on the occasion of the Government of Tonga and Development Partners' Forum 2026.

| Ministry of Finance Kingdom of TONGA

26/10/2026

25/10/2026

🌿 AFD and European Union Delegation Visit Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park 🌿

On Saturday, 17 October, the National Trust of Fiji was honoured to welcome Jean-Pierre Marcelli, AFD - Agence Française de Développement Director for the Pacific, and Hans Lambrecht, Head of European Union Cooperation in the Pacific, to the Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park.

The delegation was welcomed by Senior Ranger Ms Ranadi Cavu, who provided a brief presentation on the Park's outstanding natural and cultural heritage values, as well as the conservation and restoration work currently being implemented through the Kiwa Initiative Project.

Following the presentation, the group embarked on a guided walk along the Park's one-hour Yatolekaleka Trail, giving our guests an opportunity to experience the diverse dune landscape and learn more about the challenges and successes of protecting Fiji's first national park.

The tour concluded with a visit to the Park's iconic unstable dunes, where the delegation was treated to a breathtaking panoramic view of the vast dune system and surrounding coastline. Both Mr Marcelli and Mr Lambrecht were visibly impressed by the scale, beauty, and significance of this unique landscape, which stands as one of Fiji's most remarkable natural heritage sites.

The National Trust of Fiji extends its sincere appreciation to the European Union Office and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Fiji Office for taking the time to visit the Park and for their continued support through the Kiwa Initiative. Partnerships such as these are helping to strengthen conservation efforts, restore ecosystems, and build resilience for both biodiversity and communities across Fiji.

Vinaka vakalevu for your continued commitment to safeguarding Fiji's natural heritage for future generations.

📸 Senior Ranger Ranadi Cavu guiding Jean-Pierre Marcelli, AFD Regional Director for the Pacific, and Hans Lambrecht, Head of European Union Cooperation in the Pacific, through the Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park during their official site visit.

25/10/2026

21/10/2026

Today in Suva, the EU Ambassador to the Pacific, H.E. Barbara Plinkert, joined Pacific partners at the Pacific Regional Conference on Cross-Border Remittances, convened by UN Capital Development Fund and the Reserve Bank of Fiji.

Remittances are a lifeline for many Pacific families. In partnership with Pacific countries, the is pleased to support efforts to make remittance services less costly, faster, safer and more inclusive by improving transparency, expanding access to trusted digital financial services, and strengthening consumer protection.

Through the Pacific Digital Economy Programme (PDEP), implemented jointly by UNCDF, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji and UN Trade and Development, and supported by the European Union, Australia and New Zealand, we are partnering with the region to advance inclusive digital finance, innovation and resilience across the Pacific.

At the same time, remittances are not a substitute for economic transformation. Strengthening local productive capacity, supporting job creation and building long-term resilience remain essential for the future.

21/10/2026

🇪🇺🤝🇫🇯 Strengthening our partnership with Fiji. Ambassador to the Pacific, H.E. Barbara Plinkert met with Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Ambassador Solo Mara to reaffirm our shared commitment to climate action, investments, and democratic governance. We warmly welcome the imminent reopening of Fiji’s Embassy in Brussels as we look forward to deepening our economic and diplomatic ties across the Pacific.