The 2026 PIIF CEO Forum was officially declared open on Tuesday 5 May by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance for Vanuatu, Hon. Johnny Koanapo Rasou, at the Pacifik Farea, Warwick Le Lagon Resort, Port Vila — co-hosted by the PIIF and the Vanuatu National Provident Fund.

Many delegates had arrived the day prior, with a welcome cocktail reception hosted by VNPF at Erakor Island Resort on Monday evening — a traditional welcome ceremony, cocktails, and the kind of reconnection that sets the tone for a good forum.

The Deputy Prime Minister's welcome was followed by an address from the PIIF Chairman of the Board, before the formal program got underway with fund leaders, stakeholders, and experts from across the Pacific.

Adrian Orr and Karla Hershey from the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) delivered the keynote, announcing a partnership with the PIIF to build out the co-investment platform with member funds — a significant milestone for the organisation and the region.

Malia Laumanu Mafi and Leiaeva Lagaaia-Su'a led discussions and updates on Women in Super and gender diversity in leadership across Pacific funds. Two new resolutions were put forward and passed by the PIIF Board — addressing gaps in gender participation and improving product offerings to better meet members' needs.

Aaron Drew, AIFA, from Māpua Wealth delivered the first-ever Pacific Funds Performance Benchmarking Report. The results showed Pacific funds averaged better returns than peer fund groups in other countries — a strong result for the region and a meaningful baseline for the years ahead.

The afternoon continued with Vineet Vinishma and Ella Nemaia from Strategic Pay Limited presenting on staff remuneration packages, followed by a session from Tayla Jayne Beddoes of Pacific Group AI on artificial intelligence strategies for the Pacific.

The PIIF Annual General Meeting — a closed CEOs-only session — wrapped up the formal program, before delegates gathered for dinner generously sponsored by Mercer, hosted by Arti Prasad, at the Warwick Le Lagon.