The director general of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Dr Jimmie Rodgers, says the provision of regional aid is an imperative, not an option.
This comes as Australia's new government considers how to pare back billions of dollars in aid spending.
The Tony Abbott-led government intends cutting the aid budget by about 4.5 billion US dollars.
Dr Rodgers says Australia has played an integral part in the work that the SPC does, helping Pacific nations tackle issues such as food security, climate variability, non-communicable diseases, and soaring populations.
He says it is crucial aid levels are maintained.
"The fact that the countries are not in a homogeneous stage of development, some are more able than others. And I guess as Australia thinks about the future of its development assistance to the Pacific, that it also thinks about the fact that many of these countries will continue to rely on the provision of specialised regional services to help them achieve their development aspirations."
The director general of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Dr Jimmie Rodgers
