PACIFIC ISLANDS
LAW OFFICERS' NETWORK
44th PILON Annual Meeting
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
October 27-31, 2025 • APEC Haus
"Yumi Wok Wantaim: A Safe, Secure & Peaceful Pacific"
Meeting Success
90+
Participants from across the Pacific region, Australia and New Zealand
APEC Haus
World-class venue in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Key Topics
Gender Based Violence, Anti-Corruption, Cyber Crime
Next Meeting
45th PILON
Tuvalu, 2026
The 44th Pacific Islands Law Officers' Network (PILON) was successfully hosted by the Law and Justice Sector from Monday, 27th October to Friday 31st October 2025 at the APEC Haus in Port Moresby.
More than 90 participants travelled all over the pacific region including Australia and New Zealand to attend the meeting. PILON is a Regional Network comprising of senior law officers from across the Pacific, committed to strengthening legal cooperation, sharing best practices and advancing Law and Justice Sector development priorities.
Speaking at the closing dinner, Incoming Chair and Secretary for Justice Dr. Eric Kwa, PhD thanked all the participants for a great turnout at the meeting. "This would be the biggest number of delegations I have seen compared to other PILON meetings I have attended over the years in other countries. The meeting was a great success with productive and informative discussions on the agendas set out."
Meeting Highlights
Moments from the 44th PILON Annual Meeting
All Participants
Over 90 participants from Pacific island nations, Australia, and New Zealand gathered at APEC Haus for the 44th PILON Meeting
Panel Discussion
Chief Lands Commissioner Mr. Molean Kilepak, Secretary for Justice Dr. Eric Kwa, and Prime Minister listening during the panel discussion on Gender Based Violence, Anti-Corruption, and Cyber Crime
Official Opening by Prime Minister
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, MP walks into APEC Haus to officially open the 44th PILON Meeting, accompanied by Secretary for Justice Dr. Eric Kwa, PhD
Chair Handover Ceremony
Dr. Eric Kwa receives PILON chairmanship from Fiji Solicitor General Mr. Ropate Green Lomavatu, with Miss Hiri Hanenamo Queen 2025 presenting the gift
Cultural Recognition
The handover ceremony featured traditional PNG cultural elements, acknowledging the Motu Koitabuans
Heads of Delegation
Prime Minister James Marape, Minister for Justice and Attorney General Hon. Pila Niningi, Heads of Delegation, Members of the National Coordination Mechanism, Law Officers and participants of the PILON lining up at the APEC Haus
Key Achievements
PNG Assumes PILON Chair
The Handover-Takeover is a significant ceremony done at the start of the annual PILON Meetings as the host country officially takes on the role of the Chair. Secretary for Justice Dr. Eric Kwa, PhD officially received the chairmanship from Fiji Solicitor General, Mr. Ropate Green Lomavatu.
Dr Kwa will later pass on the Chairman role to a PILON member from the Island Nation of Tuvalu, who will be the host for the 45th PILON Meeting in 2026.
PNG-PACLII Partnership
Papua New Guinea signed an agreement with the Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute (PACLII) and presented a cheque of AUS$50,000 (K150,000) during the meeting. This is the first installment with annual payments planned for the next five years.
PACLII is an initiative of the University of South Pacific (USP) which collects and publishes legal materials from 20 Pacific Island Countries, making legal information accessible across the Pacific region.
About PILON
PILON is a Regional Network comprising of senior law officers from across the Pacific, committed to strengthening legal cooperation, sharing best practices and advancing Law and Justice Sector development priorities.
It is a platform where common emerging legal issues are discussed and progressed collectively at the regional level; a platform where lasting friendships are forged and often leveraged to advance regional priorities.
The PILON Annual Meeting provides an important opportunity for senior Pacific law officials to come together. A significant benefit of the Meeting is the opportunities it creates for Attorneys General, Directors of Public Prosecutions and other senior officials to share some of the innovative and unique ways that the Pacific community are managing shared challenges.
Read the Official Press Statements
Access the full media releases about the 44th PILON Meeting, including details about the successful hosting, PACLII agreement, and chair handover ceremony.
View Media ReleasesVisit the Official PILON Website
Learn more about the Pacific Islands Law Officers' Network and access additional resources, meeting archives, and collaboration opportunities.
Visit PILON Website