The secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat says the key to sustainable and resilient development in Pacific communities is the economic empowerment of Pacific women.
Dame Meg Taylor, in marking International Women's Day, said when young women were empowered they were free to make their own decisions.
She said the flow-on effects were enormous.
Dame Meg said increased female labour force participation would lead to faster economic growth, while evidence shows that when more of the household income is controlled by women the beneficial spending on children improves.
She said she and the forum leaders are committed to advancing gender equality across the region.
Gender equality will bring massive return to Pacific - UN
The United Nations says Pacific nations are missing out on economic benefits by not fostering gender equality.
Photo: AFP Dame Meg Taylor