The Minister for Community Development, Youth and Religion Jason Peter, is currently in Fiji’s capital, Suva, attending the Pacific Islands Forum women Leaders Meeting that is currently underway.

The which began on June 3rd and will conclude on June 5th, brought together Forum Ministers responsible for Women who gathered for the 2026 Pacific Islands Forum Women Leaders Ministerial Retreat to reflect on the future of leadership in the Blue Pacific.

Guided by the theme, “Leading Together: Strengthening Collective Voice, Agency, and Connection”, discussions explored how inclusive, values-based leadership can help advance the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

The retreat provided a dedicated space for leaders to share experiences, discuss the barriers, and opportunities facing women in leadership and consider practical ways to strengthen gender equality and social inclusion across regional priorities.

Conversations also highlighted the importance of intergenerational leadership, mentorship, collaboration, and ensuring that women’s voices continue to shape decision-making at national, regional, and global levels.

Discussions will focus on moving from policy to issues focused decision-making including improving prevention and response to gender-based violence, improving women’s health, strengthening the region’s commitment to disability inclusion, and progressing gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) mainstreaming, backed by the commitments of the revitalized Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration (PLGED).

This meeting also compliments the Triennial Conference of Pacific Women and Meeting of Ministers for Women by providing a critical link to Forum Leaders on a regular basis.

Papua New Guinea is represented by Minister Jason Peter alongside the Director for the Office of the Development for Women, Ms. Nancy Kavop.