Pacific Water Ministers to Strengthen Regional Voice Ahead of UN Water Meeting
Blog post descrPacific Water Ministers will meet at PWWC26 in French Polynesia to strengthen the Pacific's regional voice on water security ahead of the United Nations Water Meeting, advancing climate resilience, safe water and regional cooperation.
7/15/20262 min read
Pacific Water Ministers to Strengthen Regional Voice Ahead of UN Water Meeting
Apia, Samoa – July 2026 – Pacific Water Ministers will convene in French Polynesia next month to strengthen the region's collective voice on water security as the Pacific prepares to contribute to the United Nations Water Meeting later this year.
Held alongside the 17th Pacific Water and Wastewater Conference and Expo (PWWC26) from 31 August to 4 September 2026, the 10th Pacific Water Ministers Forum marks the next chapter in a decade-long journey to elevate water security as a strategic regional priority for the Blue Pacific.
Speaking at the Pacific Water Roundtable during Ozwater26 in Brisbane, Pacific Water and Wastewater Association (PWWA) Chief Executive Officer Pitolau Lusia Sefo-Leau acknowledged the Australian Government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and the Australian Water Partnership (AWP) for more than a decade of partnership and engagement that helped establish PWWA as the Pacific's peak regional water organisation and paved the way for the creation of the Pacific Water Ministers Forum.
She said these regional governance mechanisms have become the collective voice of Pacific countries on water issues and have helped broaden the region's understanding of water security beyond the provision of safe drinking water and sanitation to recognising water as a connector that underpins health, education, food security, economic development, climate resilience and sustainable development.
Last year's 9th Pacific Water Ministers Forum, held in Solomon Islands two weeks before the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, marked a significant turning point for the region. Ministers strengthened the recognition of water security as a strategic regional priority and committed to advancing the issue to the highest political levels across the Pacific.
Among the Forum's key outcomes was the establishment of the Water Security Warrior Mechanism to champion regional water priorities across political, technical and community levels. Ministers also agreed that this year's Forum in French Polynesia would form part of the Pacific's preparations for the upcoming United Nations Water Meeting, providing an opportunity for countries to develop a coordinated regional position and ensure Pacific priorities are represented in global discussions on water security.
The Solomon Islands meeting also highlighted the diverse water challenges faced across the Pacific, particularly by atoll and low-lying island nations, and reinforced the importance of regional initiatives such as the Pacific Partnership for Atoll Water Security to strengthen collaboration, knowledge sharing and long-term resilience.
As Ministers gather in Papeete this August, they will review progress made over the past year while identifying regional priorities to take forward to the international stage. Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening water security, improving access to safe drinking water and sanitation, enhancing climate resilience, supporting the performance of Pacific water utilities and investing in the next generation of water professionals.
Pitolau reaffirmed PWWA's commitment to supporting Pacific countries as they work towards these shared goals.
"As a regional organisation, we recognise that water security is first and foremost the responsibility of sovereign countries. PWWA remains committed to supporting our members by identifying inclusive approaches to increasing water security, organising high-level policy dialogues, facilitating engagement between Ministers, Heads of Ministries and water utilities, advocating for water security through information gathering and performance analysis, and building the capacity of young water and management professionals across the Pacific."
Held under the theme "Living Water | Vai Ora – From Source to Reef," PWWC26 will bring together Ministers, utility leaders, technical experts, development partners and young professionals from across the Pacific and beyond to strengthen regional cooperation, share innovation and ensure Pacific perspectives help shape the future of global water security.
