European Union

The European Union joined PRIF in 2010. The EU and the Pacific region enjoy a longstanding relationship, shared values and strong economic and trade links, having developed close  partnerships with Australia, New Zealand, the 15 Pacific Independent Island countries, the Overseas Countries and Territories and the Pacific Islands Forum. The EU is the third largest donor of development assistance to Pacific countries after Australia and Japan. The European Development Fund is the main instrument for providing EU assistance for development cooperation under the Cotonou Agreement. EU’s priorities in the Pacific include Ocean’s Governance, Climate Change and Disaster Risk, Trade, Energy, Public Finance Management and Gender.