PACIFIC EDUCATION MINISTERS END CONFERENCE WITH RESULT REVIEW

By Sharon AGAVI

Education Ministers from 18 Pacific Island Nations including PNG gathered at the Loloata Resort Hotel and concluded the Pacific Education Ministers Conference (CPEM) with a review from the 3-day conference held from March 18th-20th, 2025 at the APEC Haus in Port Moresby.

Minister for Education, Lucas Dekena, and The University of South Pacific Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, highlighted some of the key outcomes of the conference such as the need for collective efforts to deepen regionalism.

Minister Dekena said the ministers have acknowledged important concerns and priorities that need to be addressed with help from regional agencies, schools, and other agencies to improve education systems, such as offering more flexible learning options.

He says the ministers agreed that CPEM will continue to oversee regional education cooperation and play a key role in addressing common education issues across the Pacific.

He says the goal is to equip learners with skills for the changing world while preserving Pacific cultures and identities.

Minister Dekena acknowledged the initiative of the late education Minister, Jimmy Uguro to host the CPEM in PNG while also thanking the other Pacific Ministers for their discussions on the different sessions over the 3-day event and looks forward to the implementation of the outcomes.

Meanwhile those key outcomes of CPEM 2025 will be presented by the Prime Minister James Marape, at the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting scheduled for September 2025 in Solomon Islands.

The next CPEM will be hosted by the Republic of the Marshall Islands in 2027.