European and Pacific Partners Step Up Cooperation for a Sustainable Blue Economy
With a combined total of approximately 85 million FJD (€ 33 million) in new commitments, the initiatives will be delivered under the Team Europe approach, bringing together the European Union and its Member States initiatives, to ensure greater impact and coordination in the region. By aligning its efforts, the Team Europe approach aims to maximizes efficiency, reduces fragmentation, and strengthens long-term partnerships with Pacific countries in support of their national ocean and blue economy strategies, as well as their regional vision for the Blue Pacific.
Key Areas of Cooperation
These Ocean Initiatives will support Pacific countries and territories towards the following objectives:
1. Ocean governance
Strengthen ocean governance mechanisms at a national and regional level, in line with international agreements and regional strategies, including the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
2. Coastal Fisheries and Blue Economy
Support the sustainable, inclusive and community- based management of coastal and marine ecosystems including by strengthening the blue economy for improved livelihoods, food security and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem
3. Shared Vision for a Sustainable Pacific Ocean
These announcements are made at the workshop Navigating the Blue Pacific: European Initiatives for the Blue Economy,organised by GIZ in collaboration with the EU Delegation to the Pacific and AFD.
The workshop brings together Pacific Island Countries and Territories, regional organisations, working alongside research institutions and practitioners to showcase results from past projects, exchange experiences, and advance cooperation in the sector.
Regional partners, the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), welcomed the strengthened partnership, emphasising the importance of aligning investments with national development priorities and regional strategies, including the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
At the joint launch today, Director General of the Pacific Community, Dr. Paula Vivili highlighted that the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent “reinforces regional solidarity, and we welcome all our partners to unite with us in this journey towards a resilient and prosperous Pacific that allows our people to live dignified lives now and into the future.”
European Union Delegation to the Pacific 2026
“SPREP commends the launch of these new projects supported by Team Europe Initiative to contribute to the Blue Pacific Strategy, assist our members to meet MEA obligations, and advance ocean governance and blue economy within our Pacific Island region”, SPREP Director General Mr. Sefanaia Nawadra noted adding that “they represent a bold and collective commitment to protect and safeguard the coastal and marine ecosystems that sustain our communities, cultures, and economies for generations to come.”
European Union Delegation to the Pacific 2026
Speaking on behalf of Germany, Ambassador Dr. Andreas Prothmann, stated “Success demands collaboration. I encourage all stakeholders: governments, businesses, civil society – join us and let's make the blue economy a beacon of hope.”
European Union Delegation to the Pacific 2026
Speaking on behalf of the European Union, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the European Union to the Pacific, Nereo Peñalver-Garcia highlighted that the joint launch of these ocean initiatives “is powerful reflection of our shared, long-term commitment to the ocean – a clear sign that, despite the differences in geographies, we are united by a common purpose and a shared responsibility to protect and sustainably manage our ocean resources.”
European Union Delegation to the Pacific 2026
Ms. Elodie Vitalis, Head of AFD Office in Fiji, emphasised that “for AFD, protecting the ocean means protecting both marine ecosystems and the communities whose livelihoods and cultures depend on them. Through the Team Europe approach, we combine expertise, financing and partnerships to go further together, strengthening ocean governance, protecting marine biodiversity and coral reefs, and supporting community-based fisheries that sustain resilient coastal communities across the Pacific”.
European Union Delegation to the Pacific 2026
Together, these initiatives reaffirm the long-term partnership between Europe and the Pacific, committed to multilateral cooperation, sustainable development, and ocean stewardship.
European Union Delegation to the Pacific 2026
About the Initiatives
P+ Blue Economy – Pacific Blue Economies: Strengthening Integrated Ocean’s Governance for Increased Resilience – 12.9 million FJD (€ 5 million) launched by GIZ, the German Development Agency.
Blue Economy will assist the governments of the five partner countries, Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, to have cross-sectoral capacities to shape a blue economy at national and regional level in cooperation with the private sector and civil society while working on coastal fisheries data and venture building projects.
Pacific Ocean Initiative – 20.5 Million FJD (€ 8 Million) launched by the French development Agency
The project aims to ensure the food and economic security of local communities, protect biodiversity, and promote sustainable and climate-resilient development.
The specific objective of the project is to enhance regional and local capacities for sustainable management of marine and coastal resources and ecosystems through the building and sharing of expertise and knowledge for the benefit of the States and communities of the South Pacific.
Through strengthened cooperation with regional organisations - SPREP and SPC - the Initiative promotes coastal and marine ecosystem sustainable management and community-based approaches, strengthens knowledge systems to support informed decision-making, and mobilises the scientific and technical expertise of France’s Pacific territories, including New Caledonia and French Polynesia. The Initiative also reflects France’s continued engagement in ocean governance, reaffirmed during the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC 3) in Nice in 2025.
Pacific – EU Marine Partnership Programme (PEUMP) phase II – 51.3 million FJD (€ 20 million)launched by the European Union
The objective of Phase 2 of the PEUMP programme is to contribute to the sustainable, climate resilient, integrated and inclusive management of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, its marine resources and ecosystem services providing economic, social and environmental benefits to communities of Pacific Island Countries and Timor Leste.
The component dedicated to the blue economy will focus on actions that contribute to the sustainable, inclusive and community-based development of the coastal blue economy.
The action shall be carried out in the Pacific region which consists of 14 Pacific Island Countries.