March 2026
Tuesday 31
The Pacific Farmer Organisations (PFO) extends its sincere appreciation to the The Crawford Fund for the invitation extended to Pacific Farmer Organisation (PFO) Chairlady Aileen Burness to participate as a panellist in a high-level Dialogue on Food Security held at Parliament House.
The dialogue explored pathways for strengthening agrifood systems, as Australia considers its contribution to future food security through the development of its National Food Security Strategy and its leadership role in negotiations for COP31. The platform provided an important opportunity to elevate Pacific farmer perspectives within global discussions on food systems transformation.
The panel brought together leading experts from across the Pacific, Australia, and the international community, including Brian Schmidt, Susan Orgill, and Cathy McGowan.
Mrs. Burness was accompanied by PFO’s Monitoring and Evaluation Program Manager, Angela Birch. During their visit, the delegation engaged in strategic meetings with the Standing Committee on Primary Industries, the Office of the Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, and key Australian institutions, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry, CSIRO, and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.
PFO’s participation highlighted the urgent challenges faced by Pacific farmers, who remain among the most vulnerable to climate change despite contributing minimally to global emissions. With less than one percent of global climate finance reaching farmers, PFO continues to advocate for more equitable access to resources through partnerships and initiatives such as the Climate Resilient Farming Project, currently implemented across seven Pacific Island countries.
As the global community marks the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, Mrs. Burness also proudly represented the voices and leadership of women farmers across the Pacific.
Reflecting on the importance of collaboration, PFO Vice-Chair Petero Matairatu once noted, “It is through relationships that knowledge is shared, skills are passed on, and transformation takes root.”
PFO extends its appreciation to the Crawford Fund and all partners who supported this important engagement in Canberra, reinforcing a shared commitment to strengthening resilient and inclusive food systems across the Pacific.