Pritika Bijay is an Engagement Officer at Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji.
The Pacific Islands Forum Secretaria is more than a political body. It is a guardian of oceanic futures, a convener of island voices, and a catalyst for the region’s collective aspirations. In Suva’s tropical setting—between rainforest and reef—the Secretariat champions a vision of Pacific unity grounded in cultural resilience, environmental stewardship, and diplomatic wisdom.
To walk through Suva is to feel the pulse of the Blue Pacific itself: vibrant, resilient, interconnected. And to understand PIFS is to understand that the Pacific is not remote—it is central. Not small—it is expansive. Not vulnerable—but profoundly wise in the ways of land, ocean, and community.
In the heart of the South Pacific, where the horizon seems to melt into an endless sweep of turquoise water, stands the city of Suva—a vibrant port capital that serves not only as the political center of Fiji but also as the diplomatic soul of the Pacific. Suva is a place where humid tropical air carries the rhythms of Indigenous culture, colonial history, and modern regional cooperation. Yet among its palm-lined streets and rain-soaked hills, one institution rises above all others in shaping the destiny of the Pacific region: the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS).
The Pacific Islands Forum itself is a unique creation in global diplomacy. Representing independent nations scattered across one of the world’s largest oceanic expanses, it binds together countries not by proximity but by shared identity—a deep, ancestral oceanic heritage. From Micronesia and Melanesia to Polynesia, the Forum serves as a political and cultural anchor in a region larger than the continents of Africa and Europe combined, though composed mostly of water. It stands as a reminder that geography is not destiny; it is a resource, a challenge, and a story waiting to be told.
At the heart of this regional body is the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, headquartered in Suva. Unlike many international organizations rooted in rigid bureaucracy, PIFS feels grounded—literally and spiritually—in the land and sea. It operates as the coordinating engine that turns Pacific priorities into concrete policy: climate diplomacy, sustainable development, maritime security, fisheries governance, regional trade, and the cultural preservation of its diverse island communities.
One cannot understand the Secretariat without understanding Fiji. Fiji is not merely the host country; it is a geopolitical crossroads of Oceania. Its capital, Suva, is a cosmopolitan hub where diplomats, scholars, local chiefs, NGO activists, and youth leaders mingle in cafés overlooking Suva Harbour. Rainstorms sweep across the city almost daily, giving it a lush, green density that feels alive with possibility. The city’s colonial architecture stands beside bustling markets filled with Pacific spices, taro, tropical fruits, and traditional Fijian handicrafts. In this dynamic setting, the Secretariat carries out its mission: to give the Pacific a unified voice in global affairs.
Among the many responsibilities of PIFS, climate change stands at the forefront. Nowhere on Earth is the climate crisis more existential than in the Pacific, where rising sea levels threaten entire nations, and saltwater intrusion contaminates freshwater supplies. The Secretariat has repeatedly taken the lead in global climate negotiations, reminding world powers that for the Pacific, climate diplomacy is not an academic debate but a matter of survival. “The Blue Pacific Continent,” a term championed by Forum leaders, reflects this deep ecological sovereignty—an identity rooted not in land masses but in the shared ocean that sustains life, trade, culture, and memory.
In addition to climate advocacy, the Secretariat oversees collective security frameworks, such as the Biketawa Declaration and the Boe Declaration, which support peacebuilding and humanitarian coordination in the region. Fisheries management is another critical issue: the Pacific commands some of the world’s richest tuna stocks, and the Secretariat helps ensure sustainable harvesting and fair economic returns for island nations.
Beyond the geopolitics, however, lies something more human and compelling: a regional philosophy built on talanoa. This Fijian concept—meaning open, respectful dialogue—shapes how Forum leaders negotiate and cooperate. It is a diplomatic ethic that values listening, empathy, and shared understanding over confrontation. When Pacific leaders gather, they do not simply discuss policy; they engage in talanoa, weaving personal stories into collective decisions. This approach has gained global recognition for its ability to build trust in international diplomacy.
Suva, with its welcoming communities and multicultural layers, provides the perfect backdrop for such a philosophy. The city is home to Indigenous iTaukei traditions, Indo-Fijian heritage, and a growing expatriate community from across the Pacific and beyond. Its streets echo with English, Fijian, and Hindi, while its festivals celebrate everything from ancient firewalking rituals to modern Pacific arts. It is a living testament to how cultures coexist and evolve—precisely the kind of environment where regional cooperation can flourish.
This is the story of Suva, Fiji, and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat: a story of leadership shaped by the sea, diplomacy rooted in culture, and a future defined not by global powers but by the collective strength of island nations who know that the ocean is both their past and their destiny.
