(PRESS STATEMENT Apia, Samoa – 3 March 2025) – The Pacific Immigration Development Community (PIDC) Board met in Apia Samoa this week, from 3–4 March 2025 at the Sheraton Beach Resort, marking its second meeting of the 2024/2025 financial year.
The PIDC, comprising of 21 member countries including Australia and New Zealand, holds an annual Regular Annual Meeting (RAM), while its Board convenes three times a year—once virtually and twice in person.
Samoa, as host of the PIDC Secretariat, is a permanent Board member alongside Australia and New Zealand as principal donors. Other representatives at this meeting include the current, incoming, and outgoing RAM Chairs from Vanuatu, Tonga, and Solomon Islands, as well as regional representatives from Melanesia (Fiji), Micronesia (Kiribati), Small Island States (Cook Islands), and Polynesia (American Samoa).
Key discussions this week included border security management, regional security priorities and preparations for the 2025 RAM in Nuku’alofa, Tonga.
As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen border security and regional cooperation, PIDC continues to collaborate with immigration agencies across the PIDC membership and regional partners to address emerging threats.
“PIDC remains committed to working alongside immigration agencies across the Pacific, regional security agencies and other key partners to strengthen border security and facilitate safe and efficient movement across the Pacific. By enhancing measures to combat transnational crime, people smuggling, and trafficking, we are helping to safeguard our communities and ensure a secure and prosperous region for all,” said PIDC Head of Secretariat, Akuila Ratu.
Following the Board meeting, a two-day workshop on 5–6 March will focus on reviewing the PIDC Strategic Plan 2022-2025 and shaping the new Strategic Plan, that will continue to reinforce PIDC’s commitment to secure and efficient border management across the Pacific.
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SOURCE – PACIFIC IMMIGRATION DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PIDC SECRETARIAT
