Suva, Fiji – 26 March 2026 – The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) has launched the third cycle of its E‑commerce Rules Course for Pacific Policymakers, showing its firm commitment to strengthening the region’s capacity to participate effectively in the rapidly evolving global digital trade landscape. This year’s cohort brings together 200 plus participants from Forum Member countries, including officials from ministries of trade, ICT, finance, justice, regulatory bodies, and other agencies tasked with shaping national approaches to digital transformation. Their participation reflects the growing recognition that e‑commerce has become an essential element of economic and trade policy across the Pacific.
The E‑commerce Rules Course for Pacific policymakers directly addresses this need and implements Measure 4.2.1 of the Pacific Regional E‑commerce Strategy and Roadmap, which recommends the development of Forum Island Countries (FIC) capacity on e‑commerce laws, regulations, and digital trade negotiations.
The 2026 course presents one of the most comprehensive and accessible digital trade learning programs available to Pacific officials. Spread over eight weeks, the course includes 24 self‑paced modules supported by detailed explanatory videos, readings, and university style slides. Participants are introduced to the structure of e‑commerce negotiations, the types of rules emerging from them, and the diverse fora where digital trade disciplines are shaped by the plurilateral trade negotiations at the WTO to regional and multilateral trade agreements.
Participants are required to complete 12 quizzes designed to reinforce key concepts and must achieve a minimum score of 70% across at least 9 of them to receive a Certificate of Completion. In addition to the self‑paced learning, the course features an inception workshop and four interactive sessions with trade experts from key international organisations, including the WTO and ITC. The inception session also benefited from remarks by Ms Genevieve Clune, Australia’s Director for WTO Digital Trade, who underscored the importance of Pacific engagement in international processes, particularly within the Joint Statement Initiative on E‑commerce. A graduation ceremony will follow upon completion of all requirements. All course materials, thereafter, will remain available on thePacific E‑commerce Portal, ensuring continued access for policymakers long after the formal training concludes.
In his opening remarks, PIFS Acting Director of Programmes and Initiatives, Denton Rarawa, underscored the importance of strengthening policymaker readiness in an increasingly digital world. He noted that digital transformation is no longer a distant aspiration, but a present reality shaping how countries trade, innovate, and interact globally. He emphasised that the Pacific cannot afford to stand by while other regions shape the digital trade rules that will affect us.
As digital trade becomes an increasingly important driver of economic opportunity, the Pacific cannot afford to lag behind. The 2026 E‑commerce Rules Course represents a strategic investment in the region’s preparedness to engage meaningfully in the global digital economy. By equipping policymakers with a solid understanding of rule‑making processes, negotiating dynamics, and implementation approaches, PIFS continue to ensure that the Blue Pacific is not merely adapting to international digital trends but actively contributing to shaping the rules that govern them. The course is made possible with the generous support of Australia.
