by Charley Piringi
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has reassured the public that the nation’s fuel supply remains secure despite the ongoing global energy crisis triggered by conflicts in the Middle East.
Acting in his capacity as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), the Prime Minister confirmed that regional leaders have triggered the Biketawa Declaration to launch a coordinated, Pacific-wide response to the economic threat.
In his address, PM Manele outlined both domestic fiscal measures designed to cushion the impact of rising prices on citizens and decisive regional steps taken by the Forum Troika to protect the wider Pacific region.
“Based on information shared between our two fuel importers, the Price Advisory Committee, and a working group comprising key Government ministries and the Central Bank, I wish to reassure the nation that fuel supply remains secure,” Manele said.
Despite global headwinds, the Prime Minister confirmed that local supply lines are highly stable.
“Our supplier has confirmed that commitments will be honored for at least the next six months. Shipping routes are stable, with tanker deliveries scheduled every three to four weeks,” he noted. “Domestic storage capacity holds over forty days of supply following each delivery, and the supply of LPG cooking gas remains adequate both in-country and in transit.”
To combat sudden spikes in fuel prices at the pump, the Price Advisory Committee, in consultation with importers, has introduced a price-smoothing mechanism. The first gradual adjustment under this new approach took effect on April 20, with the next expected in early May.
Acknowledging the severe financial burden on households and businesses, the Government has rolled out immediate fiscal interventions to lower costs at the expense of state income.
“While these measures will reduce Government revenue significantly, they are necessary to protect our people during this challenging period.”
He also issued a direct appeal for national solidarity, urging local retailers to act responsibly and avoid price gouging on essential goods.
To address long-term vulnerabilities, the government is accelerating energy sector reforms, advancing the Electricity Bill, and promoting renewable solutions like solar power for homes and small businesses to permanently reduce reliance on imported fuels.
Beyond domestic borders, Manele warned that the fuel crisis threatens to paralyze shipping, tourism, and broader economic activity across the Pacific.
He recently chaired a critical meeting of the Forum Troika in Nadi, Fiji, joined by Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jr. and the Prime Minister of Tonga.
Recognizing the extreme exposure of Pacific economies to global supply shocks, the Troika leaders agreed to trigger the Biketawa Declaration.
This landmark diplomatic framework elevates the energy crisis to a top-tier regional security priority and initiates a coordinated, high-alert response from all member states.
Key outcomes from the Troika meeting include:
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Establishing a Regional Taskforce: A specialized group formed to assess the implications of the energy crisis and guide unified regional action.
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The Regional Petroleum and Fuel Security Initiative: A strategy aimed at strengthening collective arrangements for fuel supply, storage, and distribution across the Pacific to safeguard essential services.
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High-Level Consultations: The formal invitation of Pacific Leaders and a directive to the PIF Secretary General to begin immediate consultations on the crisis.
In addition, the Troika reviewed the ongoing reform of the regional architecture, expected to be fully operationalized by 2027, and discussed preparations for COP31, including Fiji’s hosting of the Pre-COP meeting later this year.
This marks the third major time the Biketawa Declaration has been triggered, following its use during the Solomon Islands ethnic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, as the region now rallies against the global fuel crisis.
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