The seventh Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus
Joint Committee meeting concluded on Friday, 17 May in Apia, Samoa. Hosted from 16-17 May
2024, this important gathering brought together high-level government officials from the ten
PACER Plus parties: Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, Solomon
Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. This year's meeting marked the second in-person gathering
of the Joint Committee, following the one chaired by Niue in 2023.
The PACER Plus Joint Committee, which serves as the governing body for the PACER Plus
trade agreement, focused on the implementation of the Development and Economic Cooperation
(DEC) Work Programme. The DEC Work Programme outlines the AU$25 million assistance
from Australia and New Zealand provided to the PACER Plus parties to implement the
agreement. It has six components linked to different aspects of the agreement, identifying
expected outcomes for each component. The PACER Plus Joint Committee Meeting agenda
included reviewing reports on the implementation of the chapters of the agreement and the
Arrangement on Labour Mobility. Additionally, the meeting adopted the annual plan and budget
for the financial year 2024-2025 and discussed the future of the DEC Work Programme post-
2025.
Mrs. Peseta Noumea Simi, the Chief Executive Officer of Samoa's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and Trade, chaired the meeting. In her opening remarks, Mrs. Simi emphasised the importance of
evaluating the PACER Plus effectiveness in facilitating trade and the movement of workers
within the region.
"We must take a deep dive into determining whether the PACER Plus agreement has
delivered its anticipated outcomes. Our focus should be on ensuring that our economic
cooperation translates into tangible benefits for all member countries," said Mrs. Simi.
Mr. Roy Lagolago, Head of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU), highlighted the
achievements of the past three years despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"This financial year 2023-2024 is the first full year of implementation, and we have made
significant progress in strengthening regional trade and economic cooperation," Mr. Lagolago
stated.
Representatives from the PACER Plus parties shared their insights and experiences regarding the
impact of the agreement on their respective countries:
 Mr. Joe Pakoa Lui, Director of External Trade with Vanuatu's Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, International Cooperation, and External Trade: "Vanuatu continues to support
PACER Plus as a framework to support Vanuatu in its commitment to regional economic
integration. We've commenced implementation of our activities under PACER Plus and
we've seen progress in trade facilitation, particularly with customs and rules of origin."

 Ms. Doreen Siataga, Financial Secretary with Niue's Ministry of Finance and Planning:
"Niue has benefited from various activities funded under the PACER Plus agreement and
is very grateful for the support provided in meeting country requests. For example,
adoption of ASYCUDA World, a customs management system, to strengthen revenue
collection, providing harvest bins to local growers to minimise post-harvest damage and
exploring intra-regional labour mobility opportunities to address severe labour shortages
across all sectors. Niue remains committed to implementing obligations under the
agreement as well as national activities approved in the annual plan."
 Ms. Koaa Ekeata, Deputy Secretary with Kiribati's Ministry of Tourism, Commerce,
Industry, and Cooperatives: "Kiribati has benefited from the capacity building efforts
provided by PACER Plus, especially the trainings on electronic phytosanitary certificates
and ASYCUDA World."
The meeting concluded with the announcement that Solomon Islands will host the next PACER
Plus Joint Committee Meeting in 2025.