Measure Pacific Economies Through Lived Experience, Not Graphs
Economic conditions in the Pacific are best understood not through data alone, but by observing the day-to-day experiences of its people. This includes their ability to access basic services, their ease of movement, their digital and physical connectivity, and the general quality of their lives.
According to Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa, the true measure of economic health lies in the lived realities of the region's populations, rather than in charts and figures. He delivered this message during his keynote address at the opening of the 2025 Pacific Update — a three-day event co-hosted by the Development Center of the Australian National University (ANU).
Baron Waqa, who is also the former President of Nauru, emphasized the need for Pacific Island nations to revamp and enhance inter-regional cooperation, particularly in trade and economic integration.
He noted that as part of the ongoing review of regional frameworks, leaders are beginning to reassess how they structure cooperation — shifting from fragmented efforts to more functional, and from rivalry to complementarity.
With Papua New Guinea standing as the largest economy in the Pacific outside of Australia and New Zealand, it plays a central role in shaping economic cooperation both within the region and globally. Therefore, the remarks by the head of the Pacific Islands Forum come at a critical and opportune time.
Waqa’s insights reflect his vast experience and his dedication to advancing prosperity and unity across the Pacific.
The region, overall, continues its gradual recovery from the economic impacts brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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