In 2017 the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS) has launched and consolidated a multi-stakeholder initiative known as the Pacific E-commerce Initiative. From 2017 to 2021 the initiative has focused on the development of diagnostic studies. These have informed the development and ministerial endorsement of a Pacific Regional E-commerce Strategy and Roadmap (the Strategy) in August 2021.

Since 2022 the focus of PIFS and its partners has shifted to implementation. As of November 2023, 43% of the 54 Strategy measures are being implemented. Besides contributing to the implementation of some measures, PIFS coordinates the Pacific E-commerce Initiative with the view of ensuring efficient delivery, avoiding duplication, and obtaining best value-for-money for donors’ taxpayers.

Coordination is led by the PIFS E-commerce Unit through the following workstreams:

• Coordination of information through establishment and management of a Pacific E-commerce Portal, the go-to place for current information on e-commerce development in the Pacific. It includes information on available technical assistance, practical business guides, technical reports, statistics, and news.
• Establishment of a Monitoring & Evaluation Framework (M&E) for the Strategy, based on the Projects section of the Pacific E-commerce Portal.
• Establishment of regional e-commerce governance mechanism, comprising a Pacific E-commerce Committee and two Sub-committees, one representing the private sector and one representing development partners. PIFS provides secretarial support to the Committee and the Sub-committees.
• Advocacy and resource mobilization for implementation of the Strategy.