The challenges we face - whether it is the rising tides of climate change or the growing gaps in economic opportunity - affect us all. These are not problems that any one group can solve alone. These are challenges that are better tackled as a collective; coming together as neighbors, as communities, and as a society to find solutions that work for everyone.

How do we so often then look at change as a power struggle and battle of a small group versus an established order? This was a premise the Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organizations or PIANGO rejected from the start when we started working together on accountability of public finances thanks to the generous support of the European Union to UN Development Programme (UNDP) Vaka Pasifika project.

Accountability doesn’t mean one group watches the other do the work, ready to catch their every mistake. It could mean that we’re all working together with the ability to call each other out when things derail from our common objective. Could a whole-of-society approach mean a seat at the table, for all, with responsibilities, for all.

As we thought and re-thought the partnership between PIANGO and UNDP, we decided to focus on the “public” side of public finances. As time has progressed, and the relationship between Governments and Civil Society Organization's (CSO) have evolved, CSOs in multiple countries in the Pacific are no longer seen as outside of the public finance cycle or watchdogs, but as co-pilots of accountability and transparency – and importantly visible results for people and communities.

In practice, collaboration is starting to take shape. In Tonga, this looks like an informal group where civil society, the Ministry of Finance, parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), and auditors to exchange information. These connections impacted the drafting of the Public Finance reform package in 2023 and the publication of a Citizen Audit Guide in 2024, jointly launched with the Ministry of Finance. In Solomon Islands, the relationship builds on formal processes. CSOs have been called to testify in front of the parliamentary committee in charge of reviewing the budget for the first time in 2023. The head of the Solomon CSO umbrella organization is now appointed to the government’s Fiscal Committee and used as a resource person during outreach.

The trend of publishing citizen budgets is expanding, with the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Fiji, Tonga, and the Solomon Islands considering or already implementing such documents, following the Cook Islands' lead.

Additionally, CSOs in Tuvalu have successfully requested an audit of the Community Development Assistance, while in Nauru, a meeting between the Auditor General and parliament facilitated the first PAC meeting in five years.

Across the region, CSOs are also playing pivotal roles in policy and budget analysis. In PNG and Niue, PACs are now guiding auditors on report content, and in Palau, a joint gender budget analysis by CSOs and journalists has led to increased advocacy for funding on gender-based violence. 

Kiribati is seeing its first coordination meeting between CSOs and the Auditor General, and in Fiji, the Auditor General has engaged CSOs extensively in legislative reviews, with the government forming a taskforce for the design of a revamped AI-powered citizen budget. 

These developments highlight the growing influence and integration of CSOs in regional governance and financial transparency. And the importance to invest in collaborative relationships.

The partnership developed between PIANGO and UNDP underscores the collective dedication to fostering a more transparent and accountable utilization of public finances across the Pacific region. 

But it cannot rest there. 

PIANGO believes that by continuing to work together, we can build a Pacific that is not only strong and prosperous but also takes a deep and ongoing commitment to inclusivity and fairness. 

We are calling on all sectors to embrace this whole-of-society approach, to engage with one another meaningfully, and to hold ourselves accountable for the future we are creating. Now is the time for action, for unity, and for making a difference that will last for generations.

Key regional and global representation via platforms such as the Pacific Island Leaders Forum, the UN’s Summit of the Future, and beyond can ensure that our shared goals for the Pacific are truly met. We’re calling for clear, measurable outcomes, so that we can look back and say, “This is where we made a difference.”

As we look past 2030, our focus should not just be on surviving but on thriving. 

By advocating for inclusive participation, we’re ensuring that the future we build together is one that benefits all of us. Aligned with the Vaka Pasifika vision, and through their active involvement, CSOs can ensure that the voices of the diverse and vulnerable communities voices are not only heard but also included in shaping national, regional, and international agendas and to enhance the accountability of public finances. 

This collective approach is key to addressing the challenges we face as we build a resilient, and equitable future for all Pacific Island people.