From the time that the Pacific Islands Development Forum was introduced to the Global South at the South-South Development Expo in 2016, it has been one of the most active and visible regional cooperation institutions. It has taken great strides in expressing its understanding of the aspirations of the Small Island Developing States of the Pacific. As one of the newest regional co- operation institutions, the PIDF came into being during the upsurge of South-South and triangular cooperation. Its foundation, strategy and initiatives have reflected a loud South-South voice. Furthermore, I have been impressed at its application of knowledge and how it draws on South- South and triangular partnerships to accelerate its programme of work.
Through the South-South in Action series, the UN Office for South-South Cooperation intends to provide a forum where partners can relay their ideas to benefit others through a better understanding of what they do and how they do it. The PIDF has been one of the Chief beneficiaries of this approach.
This publication aims to help incentivize development cooperation in the Pacific region by promoting a better understanding of the role of the Pacific Islands Development Forum in the region, including the mutual benefits to be gained by optimizing its strengths and comparative advantages.