US Delivers US$60 Million Treaty Payment to FFA for Pacific Island States

The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Secretariat has received US$60 million from the United States, on behalf of the Pacific Island Parties to support the Treaty on Fisheries. The payment was received in December 2025.

This marks the second annual instalment of the United States’ (2025 payment) 10-year, US$600 million commitment under the new Economic Assistance Agreement (EAA) of the Treaty. The funding supports national fisheries management and economic development, and ocean resilience across Pacific Island States.  

The first payment was made in 2024, and was distributed in accordance with the Pacific Island Parties internal arrangements.  The third payment (for 2026) is expected in mid-year or third quarter of 2026.

Deputy Director of the Office of Marine Conservation of the State Department, Rachel L. Ryan, said, “The United States deeply values the decades-long partnership with the Pacific Island Parties under the Treaty and look forward to continuing our close cooperation under the Treaty framework, including restarting our annual Treaty consultations, to enhance and strengthen the existing partnership.”

FFA Director-General Noan David Pakop responded with appreciation, “On behalf of the Pacific Island Parties, I take this opportunity to convey my appreciation and thanks to the United States for its continued commitment to the development of the Pacific Island States through the EAA and the Treaty.  The payment reinforces the strong partnership that has existed for more than decades between the United States and Pacific Island countries in the implementation of the Treaty.”

The annual Consultation between the Treaty parties will be held in Niue in late April 2026, following four years of renegotiation that concluded in June 2024.

HONIARA, 25 FEBRUARY 2026

Media Contacts: Emily V. Moli FFA Communications Manager e: [email protected] Ernest Ta'asi FFA Communications Officer e: ernest.ta’[email protected] Priscilla Ragu FFA Communications Officer e: [email protected]

About Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) FFA assists its 17 Members to sustainably manage fishery resources that fall within their 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). FFA provides expertise, technical assistance and other support to its members who make decisions about their tuna resources and participate in regional decision making on tuna management. Find out more here: www.ffa.int