Reflections on PRIF Week 2023 and why quality infrastructure matters for the Pacific

The theme for this year’s hybrid event was Quality Infrastructure for a Blue Pacific Continent and the aim was to draw attention to the importance of quality infrastructure for the Pacific region and to enhance awareness of quality infrastructure principles as applied to Pacific infrastructure investment and delivery. Quality infrastructure investment aims to maximize the positive economic, environmental, social, and development impact of infrastructure while ensuring financial sustainability. It involves investment that:   

• Promotes sustainable and inclusive economic development;   

• Supports local content and creates local jobs;  

• Builds and maintains climate and disaster resilience;  

• Provides value for money and considers full life-cycle costs;  

• Reflects sound public financial management;   

• Encourages private sector investment;  

• Adopts environmental and social safeguards;   

• Promotes gender and social inclusion.  

The Pacific region faces significant infrastructure challenges that are exacerbated by the impact of climate change and more frequent natural disasters. These challenges need to be addressed, as the demand for investment in the Pacific is acute and growing, with the Asian Development Bank conservatively estimating the region’s annual infrastructure needs from 2016-30 at US$3 billion. Pacific countries and PRIF development partners recognize that quality infrastructure development is crucial to progressing the priorities identified in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific. In November this year, Forum leaders will consider endorsing regional quality infrastructure principles for the Pacific, which are consistent with G20 Principles for Quality Infrastructure Investment initiative and aligned to regional priorities.  

Special thanks to our partners for their support: the Asian Development Bank, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the European Investment Bank, the European Union, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the U.S. Department of State, the World Bank. Special thanks also to our member countries and regional partners, including the Pacific Islands Forum, the Pacific Community, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, the Pacific Water and Wastes Association, the Pacific Power Association, and many others. Thank you also to our 44 panelists for their time and contribution to this very important topic. 

Video recordings of all sessions (and any available PowerPoint presentations) have been uploaded onto the PRIF website.