The upcoming Pacific Infrastructure Conference in Brisbane (19-20 August) is shaping up to be the most high-powered gathering of its kind, with senior leaders from across the region and beyond confirmed to deliver keynote addresses. The conference brings together heads of government, foreign ministers, development financiers, and regional private sector leaders to chart the future of infrastructure in the Blue Pacific.
Among the most anticipated speakers are Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific, The Hon Pat Conroy MP, and New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Rt Hon Winston Peters. Their presence signals strong support from both governments for deepening infrastructure partnerships with Pacific nations.
Also delivering keynote addresses are two Pacific Island heads of government: Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Hon Feleti Teo, and President of Palau, Hon Surangel Whipps Jr., each expected to articulate their country’s vision for climate-resilient, inclusive infrastructure in the context of national development goals.
The conference also features key development finance leaders such as Asian Development Bank Vice President Scott Morris, who brings over two decades of global experience in debt strategy and infrastructure financing. His address is expected to frame the regional investment outlook with a strong emphasis on climate adaptation and financial sustainability.
From the United Kingdom, Deputy British High Commissioner Dr Brian Jones joins the line-up to provide insights on regional security, diplomacy and infrastructure cooperation. The Pacific’s own senior voices will also be front and centre, including Hon. Albert Nicholas, Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, who champions locally led and community-driven development.
The program includes contributions from leaders such as Tim Houghton, Australia’s Trade Commissioner – Pacific, George Constantinou, Chairman of the Constantinou Group, Sam Vea, President of the Tonga Chamber of Commerce, and a range of speakers representing regional chambers, engineering firms, and policy agencies.
Together, these leaders will explore how Pacific nations and their partners can work together to deliver sustainable, high-quality infrastructure that builds economic opportunity, community resilience, and regional unity.
As the conference curtain rises, the message is clear: infrastructure in the Pacific is no longer just about bricks and mortar—it’s about sovereignty, partnerships, and future generations.
PIC2025 is being hosted by APIBC, APNGBC, AFBC, Austrade and AIFFP.
