Pacific Leaders Convene in Rarotonga for 52nd Meeting

Minister Jeremiah Manele Leads SI Delegation, Addresses Climate Change and Nuclear Issues

The first wave of leaders, including the Solomon Islands representative, Foreign Affairs Minister Jeremiah Manele, have arrived for the 52nd Meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders in Rarotonga, Cook Islands. More dignitaries from the Pacific and around the world are expected to arrive in the coming days for the forum held under the theme ‘Our voices, our choices, our Pacific way; Promote, Partner, Prosper.’ Over 600 delegates, including Forum Leaders, Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP) representatives, regional private sector and civil society delegates, Forum Associate members, Forum Observers, and Forum Dialogue Partners, are expected to participate in the discussions, which will focus on fostering genuine Pacific partnerships to ensure the resilience and prosperity of Pacific communities.

Key Issues And Solomon Islands Focus

Key issues on the agenda include climate change, sustainable development, ocean conservation, and economic resilience. Cook Islands Prime Minister and Forum Chair, Mark Brown, emphasized the importance of Pacific voices and choices in these discussions, stressing the need for Pacific leaders to chart their own course in the face of a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape. He sees the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting as a milestone in the collective journey of stewardship over the Blue Pacific Continent. For this meeting, the Solomon Islands government will focus on the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, which guides regional decisions and cooperation. Minister Manele, who is leading the Solomon Islands delegation, will emphasize collaboration on regional policy, climate change resilience, and labor mobility. Nuclear issues, including Japan’s nuclear-treated water discharge, are high on the Solomon Islands’ agenda for this meeting. Additionally, Minister Manele will have bilateral meetings with development partners throughout this week. The official opening of the Forum leaders meeting will take place this evening at the national auditorium in Avarua. Pacific island leaders have already gathered to meet in their sub-regional groups, particularly Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia this morning. For Melanesia, the Fiji Prime Minister is attending the leaders meeting. Solomon Islands is represented by its Foreign Affairs Minister, Jeremiah Manele, while PNG is represented by its Deputy Prime Minister, John Roso, New Caledonia by its President Roch Wamytan, and Vanuatu is represented by its Climate Change Minister, Ralph Regenvanu.

UNGA President Attendance At Forum Meeting

For the first time, the President of the United Nations General Assembly is attending the Pacific Islands Forum Leader Meeting. His Excellency Mr. Francis Dennis will outline key support from the UN General Assembly to advance peace, progress, prosperity, and sustainability in the Pacific. The UNGA President will refer to recent bilateral meetings with Heads of State and Government from the Pacific Islands, as well as discuss challenges and opportunities peculiar to Small Island Developing States.

Pacific Partnerships for Prosperity

The Punanga Nui Market area is the designated Pavilion for Pacific Partners that includes Civil Society Organisations, CROP Agencies and other Partners. This is where the partners will demonstrate how all related initiatives contribute to the 2050 Strategy vision of a blue Pacific continent. The Pacific Partnerships for Prosperity is characterized by peace, harmony, security, social inclusion, and increased prosperity for all Pacific people. Cook Islands Prime Minister, Mark Brown, will officially open the pavilion on Tuesday, Cook Islands time.