7th Pacific Urban Forum

Held every two years, the Pacific Urban Forum (PUF) is an inclusive, multi-stakeholder platform for dialogue on the linkages between the social, economic and environmental dimensions of equitable development and what creates a sustainable urban future for the Pacific.

The 7th Pacific Urban Forum is being hosted by the Government of Papua New Guinea and the National Capital District Commission of Port Moresby from the 24-26th of March, with site visits across the capital being held on Friday the 27th. The event will bring together representatives from across the Pacific’s national and local governments, along with development partners, civil society, academia, urban professionals, and the private sector, to showcase solutions for the region’s growing cities and towns.

CLGF mobilising its Pacific members 

CLGF is one of the organising partners of the PUF and is delighted that its members from across the region are mobilising to play an active role in the forum. The event will provide an opportunity to share experiences and good practice as well as to reflect on what advances the region has seen towards more sustainable, inclusive and resilient urban development since PUF6 in 2023, which was hosted by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) at their headquarters in Suva, Fiji.

CLGF will be leading a session on the Commonwealth Declaration on Sustainable Urbanisation, to share progress since the Declaration was adopted by Commonwealth Heads of Government in 2022 and to work with members and partners at the PUF to raise awareness of the commitment; to see how it can be integrated into existing work in the region; and to advocate for a greater focus on implementation going forward. Additionally, CLGF is partnering with ICLEI to deliver a session bringing together mayors and ministers to focus on strengthening multi-level governance; and with its member KiLGA – the Kiribati Local Government Association and ICLEI to share the outcomes of the IKI funded programme to strengthen urban livelihoods in Kiribati. 

Key regional trends 

PUF7 coincides with Papua New Guinea’s celebration of 50 years of Independence and recognises that Pacific Islands Countries are facing rapid urbanisation trends. The growth of urban populations leads to socio-economic and environmental challenges such as an increase in unemployment, rising inequalities, a growing pressure on urban service delivery and a significant demand for affordable housing. Intertwined with these issues are the region’s high levels of vulnerability to climate change and disaster risk, which threatens traditional livelihood resources, marine and low-lying island areas. The 2026 Forum will enable Pacific Island communities to pool their skills and experience in addressing shared challenges and working to maximise the many opportunities that sustainable urbanisation brings for the Pacific. 

Partners in delivery

Both Pacific Regional Director, Ms Karibaiti Taoaba, and CLGF Secretary General, Lucy Slack will play important roles in this event as they come together with the other members of the Pacific Urban Partnership (UN-Habitat, Monash University, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, UN ESCAP, ICLEI and EAROPH, among others) which organise the biennial PUF.

Sustainable Urban Development 

CLGF is looking forward to PUF7 as an important opportunity to meet with its members and partners in the region. It will also provide a platform to share the outcomes of the three action groups on housing, planning and urban finance, as well as the expert group on capacity and skills, which are part of an FCDO-funded initiative which has been underway since November 2025 to support practical roll out of the Commonwealth Declaration. Overall, we look forward to PUF7 continuing to build champions for action on resilient urban development at local, national and regional levels; to strengthen understanding and partnerships across the region; and to enhance capacity to deliver the Pacific New Urban Agenda and the SDGs. Key themes such as governance, finance and social equity and inclusion will underpin recommendations to enhance infrastructure and service delivery, housing and economic resilience. The recommendations of the meeting will be shared widely, including at the next World Urban Forum and through CLGF and the wider Commonwealth to support improved policy making and action on implementation.

For more information, including registration details, keep up to date with the Pacific Urban Partnership website.