European External Action Service
European External Action Service
09/03/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/02/2025 17:13
Global Gateway: European Commissioner Síkela will visit three Pacific countries to strengthen EU-Pacific partnership
From 5 to 12 September, European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela will visit Fiji, Vanuatu and PapuaNewGuinea to deepen the EU-Pacific partnership and scale up Global Gateway, the EU's investment strategy to boost jobs and sustainable economic growth. During his visit, the Commissioner will participate in the first-ever EU-PacificBusinessForum held in Nadi, Fiji on 4-5 September.
Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela commented:
"The Pacific region is an important partner for the European Union, and I look forward to my visit as an opportunity to strengthen our lasting political and economic ties. Our partnership helps us advance shared priorities - resilience to climate change and sustainable economic growth - ultimately improving the quality of life for people in both regions. The EU's Global Gateway investment strategy and the first-ever EU-Pacific Business Forum will help turn those priorities into action."
The Commissioner's visit will focus on the main Global Gateway areas in the Pacific: resilienceto climatechangeanddigitalconnectivity, mobilising sustainable investments in quality infrastructure. In addition to hard infrastructure - building ports or hydropower plants, the EU also invests in soft infrastructure, such as skill development, capacity building, and regulatory support, to add value on the ground.
During his tour, the Commissioner will sign several bilateral and regional agreements, meet high-level government representatives and visit EU-funded projects, such as two schools in Vanuatu affected by the earthquake that will be reconstructed and upgraded to serve as emergency shelters for the wider population during natural disasters.
The EU-Pacific Business Forum will be one of the highlights of the visit. This first of its kind event in the region will bring together high-level EU and Pacific policymakers, private sector leaders, investors and development partners to unlock trade and investment opportunities, showcase concrete projects, and build lasting business partnerships.
In Papua New Guinea, the visit will also serve to celebrate the country's 50th anniversary of independence.
About Global Gateway
Global Gateway is the EU's positive offer to reduce the worldwide investment disparity and boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems.
The Global Gateway strategy embodies a Team Europe approach that brings together the European Union, EU Member States, and European development finance institutions. This approach aims to mobilise up to €300 billion in public and private investments from 2021 to 2027, creating essential links rather than dependencies, and closing the global investment gap.
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