Day 1 begins with a formal opening ceremony at the Pristine Villa Stairs, Palau Pacific Resort, to welcome all delegates to the Fono, hosted by the Palau Bureau of Human Resources.
Fono 2026 opens by setting the context for the week and connecting regional priorities with the role of Pacific public services. Leaders will explore Pacific regionalism and collective leadership, reflect on progress since Fono 2025, and help shape shared priorities for the years ahead. Country updates will provide insight into developments, challenges and emerging priorities across Pacific public services.
A welcome dinner for all Pacific delegates concludes Day 1.
Day 1 Overview
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Opening Ceremony & Leaders' Photo9:00am – 10:00am
Keynote speakers:
- Representative of the Pacific Islands Forum Chair
- Ms Terralyn Nabeyama, Fono Chair and Chair of the Palau Bureau of Human Resources
- Mr Luke Rokovada, Fono Chair and Chairman Fiji Public Service Commission
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Pacific Regionalism, collective leadership and the role of public services10:00am - 11:00am
Pacific regionalism enables countries to address shared challenges, agree priorities, and advance collective aspirations for the Blue Pacific. As host of Fono 2026 and Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, Palau will set the scene with reflections on regional leadership and the outcomes of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting. Delegates will consider how public service leaders can turn regional commitments into practical action, strengthen cooperation, and use the Fono to learn from one another.
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Fono Secretariat & Governance12:00pm – 2:30pm
All delegates will convene for the Fono Secretariat and Governance session where they will consider the 2026 Year in Review, key regional priorities, and the strategic direction and work programme for the year ahead.
The meeting paper and supporting attachments can be accessed below:
- Fono session: Secretariat and Governance Paper 2026
- Attachment 1 | Fale Annual Planning Delivery Reporting Model
- Attachment 2 | Fale Programme Logic 2026
- Attachment 3 | Pacific Public Service WFP Guideline
- Attachment 3a | Pacific Workforce Planning Community of Practice - Draft Terms of Reference
- Attachment 4 | Analysis and recommendations: PPSLG connection to the regional architecture
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Country updates2:30pm – 4:00pm
This session provides an opportunity for each country to provide an update on key developments since Fono 2025. By hearing directly from one another, delegates will gain insight into emerging trends and priorities across the region, strengthen peer learning, and identify opportunities for collaboration and ongoing dialogue throughout the conference.
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Pacific Public Service Leaders’ Conference welcome dinnerPacific Public Service Leaders’ Conference welcome dinner
Delegates are warmly invited to attend a welcome dinner hosted by the Palau Bureau of Human Resources to mark the commencement of Fono 2026: Pacific Public Service Leaders’ Conference.
Dress: Pacific casual