The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat works closely with a range of partners such as United Nations agencies, other regional organisations and development partners in a monitoring and coordination role for social policy issues. While there is a substantial focus on education, other social issues that are addressed include health, HIV/AIDS and disability. There are initiatives on all of these areas in the Pacific Plan.

Social Policy Research

The Social Policy team also works proactively with other sections of the Forum Secretariat, for example working with countries on the social impact assessment of trade agreements and economic reforms, exploring the potential of regional purchase of pharmaceuticals and human rights issues.

The Forum Secretariat has commissioned various pieces of social research, usually on the request of member countries or as a ministerial mandate.

 Social Impact Assessment of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) being negotiated between the European Community and Pacific ACP States (2007)

 Enhancing and Standardising Regional Training Programmes in Nursing Mapping Exercise (2007)

 Review of Policy and Legislation on Disability in the PICs (2004)

 A Review of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Policy and Planning in the Pacific Islands (2007)

 Social Impact Assessment of Peace Restoration Initiatives in Solomon Islands (2004)

 Vanuatu Squatter Settlement Study (2002)