ACIAR at Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry 2025

Event Dates
26-30 MAY 2025
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Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry - PWAF 2025 logo

 

The Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry in Tonga on 26–30 May brings together leaders, experts and stakeholders in the agriculture and forestry sectors from across the Pacific region to discuss key challenges and opportunities.

The event shapes strategic directions and actions aimed at achieving food security and reducing poverty across the Pacific. Furthermore, it will empower Pacific member countries to influence key discussions and help guide ACIAR’s regional priorities for the following 2 years.

ACIAR is delighted to participate in this event ACIAR, collaborating with researchers and government organisations to enhance farmers' livelihoods and foster economic growth.
 

PWAF 2025 highlights

 

First Regional Research Symposium 22-23 May


The Regional Research Agenda is shaping the future of agricultural and forestry research. 

With support from ACIAR, this agenda will be showcased in the week before the Pacific Week of Agriculture in Tonga, at the first ever Regional Research Agenda Symposium. The symposium offers a strong opportunity to strengthen partnerships, promote our Pacific-focused research, and engage with a diverse audience including policymakers, researchers, and practitioners.

The final adapted Regional Research Agenda framework will then be presented to the Heads of Agriculture and Forestry for their endorsement at a meeting from 26-30 May in Nukualofa.
 

Connecting ACIAR Alumni


In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and SPC, ACIAR is also supporting and co-hosting the Symposium Dinner. With a significant number of ACIAR alumni, scholars, and project team members expected to participate in the symposium, the dinner presents a unique opportunity to celebrate and reconnect with ACIAR Alumni across the Pacific region, strengthen ties between key partners, recognise the contributions of ACIAR-supported projects to agricultural development in the region.

 

ACIAR-supported and project-led events
 

PWAF Side Event Title/OrganiserDate/VenueRelated ACIAR Project

Regional Research Symposium:  Transforming Agriculture and Forestry in the Pacific through Science, Technology, and Partnerships

Organisers: Pacific Community (SPC)

 22 – 23 May, 8.30am-6.30pmTesting and adapting the Pacific Regional Research Collaborative Framework (GMCP/2023/178)

Pacific Peanuts

Organisers:Vanuatu Agricultural Research and Technical Centre (VARTC) 
Central Queensland University

26 May, 10.30amScoping opportunities and research gaps for developing groundnut in Vanuatu  (CROP/2023/186)

Sustainable Agriculture Intensification: Advancing Productivity, Soil Health, and Resilient Livelihoods

Organisers: University of Melbourne & Mainstreaming of Rural Development Innovation (MORDI) Tonga Trust

 

26 May, 10.30amSustainable agricultural intensification systems for climate resilient development in Pacific island countries  (CLIM/2020/186)

Regional Research Agenda: A Collaborative Framework to Prioritizing Research for Impact

Organisers: Pacific Community (SPC),  ACIAR

 

27 May, 3.30-5.30pm

 

 

Testing and adapting the Pacific Regional Research Collaborative Framework (GMCP/2023/178)

Regional Research Agenda: Partners in Research - A working and official dinner

Organisers: Pacific Community (SPC), ACIAR

 

27 May, 6.30-8:00 pmTesting and adapting the Pacific Regional Research Collaborative Framework (GMCP/2023/178)

Regional Collaboration for Soil Health and Sustainability: Advancing Strategies and Action through the Pacific Soils Partnership

Organisers: ACIAR, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research (MWLR), Pacific Community (SPC)

 

27 May, 8.30-12.30pmSoil management in Pacific Islands: investigating nutrient dynamics and the utility of soil information for better soil and farming system management - Pacific Soil Portal Phase 2  (SLAM/2020/139)

Plant Health Clinics in the Pacific: the roles of the region's universities

Organisers: Tonga Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests (MAFF), The University of  Queensland, Fiji National Uni.

 

27 May, 10.30-12.30pmResponding to emerging pest and disease threats to horticulture in the Pacific Islands (HORT/2016/185)

Sustainable Forestry – A Pacific Vision for the Future

Organisers: Pacific Community (SPC), Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QDAF), ACIAR

 

27 May, 1.30-3.30pmCoconut and other non-traditional forest resources for the manufacture of Engineered Wood Products  (FST/2019/128)

From Farm to Policy: Partnering to Regenerate Pacific Food Environments for Resilience, Productivity, and Health)

Organisers: University  of Otago, World Vegetable Center, Dikoda, Consumer Council of Fiji

 

28 May, 8.30-11.30amPIC more veg: Driving vegetable food environments to promote healthy diets in Pacific Island Countries | ACIAR (HORT/2021/14)

Other Australian organised side events

 

  • Celebrating Women’s Leadership in Agriculture, 27 May, 7.00am – 8.30am
  • Partnering with Farmer Organisations for Greater Impact, 26 May, 1.30-3.30pm
  • A Resilient Pacific Food System - it's everyone's business! , 27 May, 8.30-10.30am
  • Pacific vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (PACS),  27 May, 1.30-3.30pm