Ms. Ishigaki attended a panel discussion for the Plenary Session “Partnering in support of an Urban Agenda for the Blue Pacific.”  She emphasized that an Urban Agenda for the Blue Pacific will only be achieved through sustained, inclusive, and multi-level partnerships—partnerships that are grounded in local realities, but connected to regional and global processes.

Ms. Ishigaki met Hon. Maciu Kauto Nalumisa, Ministry of Local Government and Housing, Fiji. Ms. Ishigaki thanked the Minister for his instrumental role at the previous Pacific Urban Forum (PUF6) which was held in Suva in 2023 and commended Fiji’s regional leadership in urban development and SDG localization. They discussed strong and ongoing partnership between UN-Habitat and Fiji and stronger collaboration in future.

Ms. Ishigaki and Mr. Chiti had a meeting with Hon. Minister Lency Vokia, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey, Solomon Islands.  They acknowledged the strategic alignment of the Agreement of Cooperation (AOC) with UN-Habitat which started on 1 April 2025 and discussed possible and stronger collaboration in future.

During the 7th Pacific Urban Forum (PUF7) held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Ms. Ishigaki moderated the Pacific Urban Ministerial Caucus which was orgaznized by UN-Habitat. Six Ministers, senior government officers and development partners shared the challenges and urban policy progress and reconfirmed the need for strengthening regional collaboration on advancing resilient and inclusive urban development.

Ms. Ishigaki and Mr. Chiti met Hon. Mr. Toelupe Maoiautele Poumulinuku Onesemo, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Samoa. Ms. Ishigaki acknowledged the Minister’s leadership in infrastructure and urban development in Samoa and explained UN-Habitat’s longstanding engagement in Samoa. They discussed possible opportunities to integrate the National Urban Policy (NUP) into the National Development Plan (NDP) to strengthen alignment between urban priorities and national planning frameworks.

The Opening Ceremony of the 7^th Pacific Urban Forum (PUF7) was held on 24 March 2026 in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The Pacific Urban Forum is the region’s premier gathering of urban ministers, city leaders, practitioners, academics, and civil society actors, held every three to four years to advance the Pacific’s vision for sustainable urbanisation. Building on the outcomes of the 6th Pacific Urban Forum in Suva (2023) and the Suva Statement for a Sustainable Urban Pacific, PUF7 will focus on implementation priorities including housing for all, resilient infrastructure, nature-based solutions, local governance, and inclusive urban development.

Together with Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, Ms. Ishigaki attended the Opening Ceremony and made an opening remarks by calling for inclusive, resilient urbanization and inviting the participants to join #WUF13 in Baku, Azerbaijan, 17–22 May 2026

Ms. Ishigaki met Dr. Powes Parkop, Governor of Port Moresby, to thank him for support to UN Habitat and the co hosting of PUF7 with the PNG Ministry of Housing, and to discuss elevating the urban agenda and a collaboration roadmap in the National Capital District.

Ms. Ishigaki met UN Resident Coordinator Richard Howard to review the country context and UN engagement in Papua New Guinea. He urged a stronger UN Habitat presence with other agencies to support planned urbanization, adequate housing, and responses to growing informal settlements.

Ms. Ishigaki had a meeting with Hon. Minister Ampelosa Tehulu, Ministry of Public Works, Infrastructure Development and Water, Tuvalu, and discussed land availability constraints exacerbated by sea level rise and current land reclamation projects.

Ms. Ishigaki met with H.E. Mr. Leklai Sivilay, Minister, Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Lao PDR and thanked him as the UN-Habitat’s main line ministry and longstanding strategic partner in Lao PDR. She also thanked for his leadership in leading Lao PDR’s delegation to WUF13. She also shared her reflection of site visit to Savannakhet. 

Ms. Ishigaki met with H.E. Mr. Santiphab Phomvihane, Minister, Ministry of Finance of Lao PDR. She introduced him the current engagement of UN-Habitat and emphasized that it aligns with the Government’s National Social Economic Development Plan to promote balanced spatial development across provinces, including urban–rural linkages.

Ms. Ishigaki attended the UNCT Lao PDR meeting, chaired by Mr. Bakhodir Burkhanov, UN Resident Coordinator. She thanked him for joining her site visit to Savannakhet, and sharing ongoing joint programming in Lao UNCT. She introduced the current engagement of UN-Habitat including WUF13 and committed to strengthen UN-Habitat alignment with UNCT work.

Ms. Ishigaki met with H.E. Mr. Anouparb Vongnorkeo, Vice Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR; and she introduced him the current engagement of UN-Habitat at global, regional and country level.  They discussed possible future collaboration including WUF13 and the High-Level Mid-Term Review of New Urban Agenda.

Ms. Ishigaki, HE Mr. Soulivath Souvannachoumkham, Vice Minister of Ministry of Finance and Mr. Bakhodir Burkhanov, UN Resident Coordinator visited Sethamouak Water Supply Project through the Adaptation Fund in Sethamouak Area, Phine District. The engineer who will operate and maintain the water infrastructure briefed about the facility, which made Ms. Ishigaki pleased and relieved.

During her mission to Lao PDR, Ms. Ishigaki traveled to Savannakhet with HE Mr. Soulivath Souvannachoumkham, Vice Minister of Ministry of Finance and Mr. Bakhodir Burkhanov, UN Resident Coordinator.

In Savannakhet, Ms. Ishigaki had a courtesy meeting with HE Mme Daovone Saysouliane, Savannakhet Provincial Governor

Ms. Ishigaki attended the handover ceremony of climate resilient water supply infrastructure through the Adaptation Fund project in Sayphouthong District and also planted a tree.

Following the handover ceremony, Ms. Ishigaki visited the beneficiaries at Tha Dane village. Ms. Ishigaki was moved by the voice of a beneficiary saying “I feel reborn with easy access to water”.