Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare receives a courtesy visit from Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare received a courtesy call from the Prime Minister of Cook Islands, Mark Brown, marking the commencement of a short visit to Honiara. PM Brown’s visit includes observing Cook Islands athletes in various sporting events and later traveling to Dubai to attend COP28.
Brown expressed sincere appreciation to Solomon Islands for hosting Cook Islands athletes and commended the high standards of sports facilities used for the Games. He highlighted the potential of these international standard facilities to nurture future sports talents in the country. During the courtesy call, Prime Minister Brown updated Prime Minister Sogavare on the outcomes of the recent Pacific Island Forum Leaders meeting in Cook Islands. Brown is also the Chairman of the Pacific Islands Forum.
The Pacific Island Forum Leaders discussed several issues, including the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, climate change and resilience, nuclear and legacy issues, gender equality, fisheries, economic development, and PIF representation in the United States of America. Prime Minister Brown shared that the leaders endorsed Baron Waqa of Nauru as the next General Secretary and selected Tonga for the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in August 2024 and Solomon Islands for the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in 2025.
In response, Prime Minister Sogavare welcomed Brown and lauded him for his role as the chairman of the Pacific Islands Forum. He appreciated the ‘tok-stori’ (talanoa) approach of sharing information, emphasizing its importance in addressing PIF member countries’ concerns. Sogavare affirmed Solomon Islands’ support for the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Communique and the ongoing commitment to the 2050 strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
Acknowledging the strategic interests of major powers in the Pacific, Sogavare highlighted both challenges and opportunities for Pacific Forum countries in collaboration with traditional and new partners. He expressed the country’s stance on climate change, calling for climate financing for resilience and mitigation efforts. The Prime Minister also reiterated concerns about Japan’s decision to discharge nuclear waste-water and emphasized the critical need for long-term solutions in managing the region’s fisheries resources.
Prime Minister Sogavare encouraged efforts to enhance regional unity and solidarity, citing the Suva agreement and the proposed review of the Regional Architecture as crucial steps in strengthening regional cooperation. In his closing remarks, Sogavare extended best wishes to the Cook Islands sporting contingent and wished Prime Minister Brown a warm hospitality during his attendance at the 2023 Pacific Games.
Source: OPMC Press Secretariat
