The Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, Samoan prime minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, says it's up to the people, communities, and organisations of the region to build a healthy, peaceful, secure and prosperous Pacific.

In announcing the launch of the 2017 regional policy consultations, Tuil'aepa said the people of the Pacific must be the innovators and implementers of their own future.

He said the Forum recently embraced the Blue Pacific concept which promotes a strong and independent Pacific identity and draws on the shared stewardship of the ocean as a key driver of Pacific Regionalism.