RAMM3 - Pacific Aviation Safety Office

3rd Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting

Pacific Aviation Ministers convened in-person at the third Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM3) held at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji on Wednesday 19 March – Thursday 20 March 2025 with the theme of “Strengthening Regional Partnerships for a Safe, Secure and Sustainable Aviation Future.”

Who hosted RAMM3?

The 3 rd Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM3) convened in Suva, Fiji, at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. The meeting was hosted by the Government of the Republic of Fiji (via the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation), facilitated by the Honourable Viliame Gavoka, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation of the Republic of Fiji.

Hon. Viliame Gavoka Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation

Who attended RAMM3?

RAMM3 is an event committed to inclusion and regional process. Pacific Ministers responsible for aviation matters from 18 Pacific Islands States have been invited to attend the RAMM3.

Ministers from the following States were in attendance: Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Tonga as well as the Assistant Minister of Cook Islands, including Senior Representatives from Australia, Federated States of Micronesia, French Polynesia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands and Vanuatu.

Distinguished guests included the ICAO Secretary General (virtual attendance), ICAO Regional Director, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, ICAO Pacific Liaison Officer, Singapore, Qatar, United Arab Emirates.

Additionally, the following organisations attended the RAMM3:

Heads of Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP agencies): Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP), Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP), South Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO)
Development partners: Asian Development Bank, Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility, and the World Bank
Industry stakeholders and dialogue partners: International Air Transport Association (IATA), Association of the South Pacific Airlines (ASPA), Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific & Middle East, Airways New Zealand, MEMKO, Fiji Airways and Fiji Airports and Observers.

Who made opening remarks at RAMM3:

The RAMM2 was officially opened by the RAMM3 Chair, the Fiji Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation, the Honourable Viliame Gavoka. Read his opening remarks.

Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Baron Waqa official remarks are here.

Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar delivered his remarks virtually. Read his remarks are here.

What was discussed at RAMM3?

Aviation Ministers unanimously endorsed the Suva Declaration for Regional Collaboration and Connectivity, the Pacific Regional Aviation Action Plan and the Pacific Regional Engagement Framework.

Building on from the already robust commitments outlined in the Port Morseby Declaration on Aviation Safety and Security Oversight, the Suva Declaration looks at:

Strengthening Regional collaboration
Enhancing safety and security
Promoting environmentally sustainable aviation practices
Expanding inclusive and accessible connectivity
Building capacity and resilience
Enhancing international air law framework
Advancing innovation and digital transformation and
Ensuring financial and economic sustainability.

In endorsing the Suva Declaration, Pacific States commit to these principles and pledge to work together in advancing sustainable aviation and connectivity for the prosperity and well-being of the aviation sector in the Pacific region.

This Action Plan stems directly from the Pacific Regional Aviation Strategy (PRAS) 2022-2032 that was launched at the 41st ICAO Assembly. This Action Plan envisions a harmonised, collaborative, and connected Pacific aviation system that ensures safe, secure, and sustainable air transport across all Pacific Island States. Aligned with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and its Implementation Plan, it supports sustainable economic development through regional cooperation, capability building, pandemic recovery, environmental protection, safety, and regulatory harmonisation. The Action Plan is the next step in operationalising the PRAS,translating its vision and goals into actionable steps. It sets the foundation for coordinated efforts to advance Pacific aviation in line with regional priorities.

Lastly, the Aviation Ministers unanimously endorsed the Pacific Regional Engagement Framework (PREF) with the purpose to establish a structured approach for collaboration, communication, and decision-making among stakeholders, specifically focused on implementing and operationalising the Pacific Regional Aviation Strategy (PRAS) and the Pacific Regional Aviation Action Plan (PRAAP). By setting out clear goals, responsibilities, and methods of interaction, the PREF ensures that all parties understand their roles and contributions towards achieving shared objectives.

Download RAMM3 Ministerial Communique here

Download the Pacific Regional Engagement Framework

Download Pacific Regional Aviation Action Plan

What is PASO’s role in the RAMM?

PASO is the sole international organisation providing quality aviation safety and security service for Member States in the Pacific.

PASO is responsible for regional regulatory aviation safety oversight service for the 10 Pacific States who are signatories to the Pacific Islands Civil Aviation Safety and Security Treaty (PICASST).

The current PICASST signatories are the Pacific nations of Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Associate Members of PASO are Australia, Fiji and New Zealand. Government representatives from these nations make up the PASO Council.

The logistics and administration of the RAMM3 is delivered by the Pacific Aviation Safety Office, as the RAMM Secretariat.

Over the past 12 months PASO has been working with cooperatively with senior Pacific aviation officials from Pacific Island States, Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP agencies), development partners, and industry stakeholders and dialogue partners to action the items in the RAMM 3 Communique -20-21 March 2025.

When is the next RAMM?

RAMM3 will be hosted by the Government of the Republic of Fiji in Suva, Fiji from the 19th – 21st of March 2025

The Pacific Aviation Safety Office, as the RAMM Secretariat, will continue to progress regional actions in collaboration with the region’s aviation officials in the lead up to RAMM4.