Day 1 began with a formal opening ceremony at the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat to welcome all delegates to the Fono, hosted by the Fiji Public Service Commission.

Delegates then took part in presentations and working sessions focused on regional and collective leadership opportunities, including the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Heads of Delegation also engaged with Public Service Commissioners from New Zealand and Australia to consider shared challenges and opportunity while the rest of their party visited the newly established Fiji Learning Institute for Public Service.

A welcome dinner for all Pacific delegates concluded day one.

Day Overview

  • Opening Ceremony & Leaders’ Photo9:30am – 10:30am

    Keynote speakers: 

    • Mr Luke Rokovada, Fono Chair and Chairman Fiji Public Service Commission  
    • Hon Filimoni Vosarogo, Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources 
    • Osana Liki-Ward,  Assistant Secretary, Samoa Public Service Commission (handover from Chair Fono 2024) 
    • Ministry of iTaukei Affairs 

  • Pacific public sector and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent11:00am – 12:00pm

    This session, led by the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat, provided an opportunity for Pacific Public Service Leaders to consider the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent in the context of the collective ambition they share for strengthening public services regionally. The intended outcomes of the session were a shared understanding of the regional strategic context and of how public service leadership connects to PIF leaders’ priorities and goals. 

    Facilitator:

    • Michelle Singh

    Speaker:

    • Desna Solofa, Deputy Secretary General – Governance, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat 

  • Heads of Delegation only session1:30pm - 3:00pm

    Heads of Delegation joined an open forum with Sir Brian Roche, Public Service Commissioner (New Zealand) and Dr Gordon de Brouwer, Public Service Commissioner (Australia) to consider common challenges and opportunities in leading at the national, system level. 

    Facilitator:

    • Tania Ott, Deputy Commissioner, New Zealand Public Service Commission 

    Speakers:

    • Sir Brian Roche KNZM, New Zealand Public Service Commissioner 
    • Dr Gordon de Brouwer, Australian Public Service Commissioner (Attending virtually)

    Participants: 

    • All Heads of Delegation  

  • Collective Leadership in the Blue Pacific3:15pm – 5:00pm

    This session considered the opportunities that arise from collective leadership and traditional forms of governance, and how these concepts intersect with Western leadership models, tailored for senior Pacific public service leaders.  

    Facilitator:  

    • Myra Patai, CEO, Office of the Public Service Commissioner, Cook Islands 

    Panellists:  

    • Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba, Vice Chancellor, Fiji National University.
    • Dr Lesikimacuata Korovavala, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister, Fiji. 
    • Jendrikdrik Paul, Chairman, Public Service Commission, Republic of the Marshall Islands.

  • Pacific Public Service Leaders’ Conference welcome dinner6:30pm

    Delegates were warmly invited to attend a welcome dinner hosted by the Fiji Public Service Commission to mark the commencement of Fono 2025: the Pacific Public Service Leaders’ Conference.  

    Dress: Pacific formal