Transcript
Led by the Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine the Pacific Women Leaders' Coalition has promised to push for better outcomes for women in the region.
On Tuesday, Ms Heine told the first meeting of the new grouping that the conference will help amplify their voices and push for action.
"Our experiences as women leaders has shown that we cannot be complacent about our work on gender equality. We cannot continue to do business as usual. Rather we need to consider how we can innovate and maximise opportunities through genuine and durable partnerships at national, regional and international level."
Ms Heine has welcomed delegates from across the Pacific, but just as prominent were representations by Taiwan.
The conference coincided with a visit from President Tsai Ing-wen, who is stopping off at four Pacific countries this week to shore up diplomatic support.
Ms Tsai told the meeting on Tuesday that women's rights in the Pacific are a priority for her government.
"Taiwan is determined to play a greater and long-term role in promoting gender equality in this region"
Ms Tsai also announced a new $US1 million fund to help Marshallese women start their own businesses.
"When more women gain economic independence, the country becomes more stable and prosperous. So we are also planning to help more women start their own businesses and gain economic independence."
The Forum Fisheries Agency, which appointed a woman to its top posting for the first time in November, also made a strong showing at the conference.
Its director general, Manumatavai Tupou-Roosen, says the agency will train more women in fisheries' industries.
"The course will target processors in a number of our countries including PNG, Fiji and Kiribati and be delivered by local trainers. The right training can be a game-changer in women's lives."
Ms Tupou-Roosen says there are also plans to train an all-women fishing crew, which would be another first for the region.
But, as President Hilda Heine's closing remarks on Tuesday showed, there's still a long way to go.
Ms Heine said early discussions for the conference had been inspired by NASA plans for the first all women's space walk.
"As women leaders we are on a different king of space walk. What we are embarking on today is equally outrageous and exciting."
But just hours before she spoke, NASA had cancelled the spacewalk, partly because there weren't enough women spacesuits.
