Suva, Fiji – 4 June 2025 – The Pacific E-commerce Alliance, known as PacifEcom, is pleased to welcome the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) as its sixth partner. This new partnership follows the formal submission of a signed Statement of Intent from the OCO, dated June 4, 2025.

PacifEcom was established in 2023 directly fulfilling one of the regional measures proposed by the Pacific Regional E-commerce Strategy and Roadmap (the Strategy), approved by Forum Trade Ministers in 2021. Its purpose is to bring together relevant stakeholders to enhance awareness of the Pacific E-commerce Initiative, attract development partner funding, and avoid duplicative efforts, thereby improving synergies in advancing digital transformation across the region.

The OCO helps make trade faster and easier by improving how goods are checked and cleared at borders. Many Pacific countries use a customs system called ASYCUDA, which helps process trade paperwork more efficiently. By following global rules and standards, customs agencies can cut down on delays and costs, making it easier for goods to move between countries. This is especially important for e-commerce, where quick and smooth delivery is key. This work, which is led by OCO at the regional level, directly aligns with the Key Priority Area 3 of the Strategy (Trade Logistics and Trade Facilitation), highlighting the critical role of logistics and customs operations as a bridge between online consumers and vendors in the Pacific making trade and shipping better across the region.

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat welcomes this new partnership and looks forward to collaborating more meaningfully with OCO under the wings of the Pacific E-commerce Initiative, including the planned Pacific E-commerce Symposium tentatively scheduled for the end of 2026.