The 5th Pacific Islands Parliaments Group (PIPG) Conference concluded in Natadola with the formal establishment of the Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (PIPA), the election of its first Executive Board, and the adoption of the 2025 Natadola Declaration.

Delegates from 15 countries witnessed the official signing of the PIPA statutes, marking the Assembly’s registration as a new inter-parliamentary regional organisation under French Polynesian law.

Executive Board Election

The Speaker of the Tongan Legislative Assembly, Lord Fakafanua, was unanimously elected as Chairperson of the PIPA Executive Board. Members of the Working Group; the Speakers of Parliament from Fiji, Solomon Islands, French Polynesia, and Palau were also elected to the Board.

Lord Fakafanua described the moment as historic:

“Our members from the 18 Legislative Assemblies across the Pacific approved the constitutive documents, rules, and procedures for the Assembly. This means we will be registered as an official organisation under French Polynesian law. I am privileged and honoured to be elected as the first Chairperson of the Board. We have been mandated to seek partnerships with inter-parliamentary and regional organisations to strengthen our goals.”

Key Outcomes

• Official Signing Ceremony: Statutes formally signed, establishing PIPA as a regional association of Pacific parliaments and legislative assemblies, with ambitions to evolve into a treaty-based organisation embedded in the regional architecture.
• Executive Board: Tonga, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Palau, and French Polynesia confirmed as the first members, reflecting inclusive governance and regional balance.
• 2025 Natadola Declaration: Adopted by delegates, confirming the transition from PIPG to PIPA, and ensuring continuity and institutional strengthening of Pacific parliamentary co-operation.

The Assembly of French Polynesia will host the first official PIPA Assembly in 2026.