The flag of the Pacific Islands Forum is the banner of the regional intergovernmental organisation that links the independent and self-governing states of the Pacific. Founded in 1971 as the South Pacific Forum and renamed in 2000, the body brings together Australia, New Zealand, and sixteen Pacific island nations and territories.
The design
The Flag of the Pacific Islands Forum is a national emblem rendered in the colours and proportions defined by the country’s flag law. Its official aspect ratio is 1:2, the height-to-length ratio that fixes how the flag should be cut and flown. The colour scheme uses blue, white, with each shade specified to particular Pantone or RGB values for official reproduction.
Colour palette
| Colour | Name | Common symbolism |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | blue | Frequently symbolises sky, sea, freedom, vigilance or perseverance. |
| White | white | Commonly represents peace, purity, honesty or snow-capped landscapes. |
| Source | Official flag law | The country’s own statute or constitutional appendix specifies exact shades and proportions. |
Symbolism & heraldry
A blue field representing the Pacific Ocean, bearing a white circular emblem of nineteen rays radiating outward from a central point — one ray for each member state and territory. The radiating pattern echoes both compass roses (the navigational tradition of Pacific peoples) and the rays of the rising sun.
Heraldic elements on the Flag of the Pacific Islands Forum — bands, charges, emblems or stars — each carry meaning agreed at the moment of the flag’s adoption. Re-readings happen across generations: a colour or a symbol that began with one meaning often picks up further layers as the country’s history unfolds.
Adoption & history
The current flag was adopted in 2003. It is credited to Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. Earlier banners flown by reflected the politics of their day; each redesign typically marked a moment of independence, regime change or constitutional reform. The current flag was chosen, debated and codified through the country’s official channels and is now protected by flag law.
Etiquette & protocol
The Flag of the Pacific Islands Forum should be flown with respect: never allowed to touch the ground, never used as drapery for ceremonies it was not made for, and lowered or removed at sundown unless illuminated. When flown alongside other national flags, it takes precedence on home soil and is hoisted first and lowered last. On days of national mourning, the flag is flown at half-mast in line with directives from the head of state. These conventions are common to most nations and are usually written into the flag’s founding statute.
Specifications
| Field | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Country | — | |
| Continent | Oceania | — |
| ISO alpha-2 | 2-letter code | |
| ISO alpha-3 | 3-letter code | |
| Adopted | 2003 | year of current design |
| Proportion | 1:2 | height : length |
| Colours | blue, white | — |
| Designer | Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat | — |
| Emoji | Unicode codepoint sequence |
Did you know?
The Forum is unusual in including Australia and New Zealand — the two largest economies — alongside microstates like Nauru and Tuvalu, on a one-state-one-vote basis.
About the organisation
PIF was founded in 1971. Its headquarters are in Suva, Fiji.
Member states
PIF has 14 member states. Membership current as of 2024-01.
