The 5th Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry will be hosted by Solomon Islands in 2027.
This was decided by the Pacific Ministers for agriculture and forestry at the final day of the 4th Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry held in Tonga, last week.
Solomon Islands Minister for Agriculture and Livestock the Honorable Franklyn Derek Wasi put forward the bid to host and was unanimously agreed by all the Pacific Ministers who were present.
The Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry is a biennial event with Vanuatu, Samoa, Fiji and Tonga the previous hosts. Solomon Islands will for the first time host this regional event in 2027 in joint partnership with FAO and SPC.
The event is expected to bring together scientists, researchers, development partners, NGOs, heads of agriculture and forestry sectors and Ministers for agriculture and forestry across the pacific region from Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia countries.
Speaking during an interview, the Minister for MAL Hon. Wasi said that his ministry is very excited to be given the regional responsibility to host the 2027 version of PWAF.
“MAL will be going all out to propel support to its important stakeholders, the farmers and agribusiness partners to strengthen their existing activities, so that we can showcase to our regional neighbours”, Wasi said.
“We will share with our fellow Pacific neighbours some of our strengths and comparative advantages and also raise our challenges and issues to our visiting development partners for possible assistance”, he added.
Minister Wasi further added that, “the PWAF is kind of a one stop shop where all the important stakeholders in the region gather together to share ideas and experiences, identify solutions, and establish connections for market, research and partnership”.
It is understood that Ministers Hon. Wasi and Hon. Tagini, the minister for forestry and research are expected to co-chair the hosting of the 5th PWAF in 2027. Preparation work are expected to commence this year with FAO and SPC.
Source: MAL Press Release
