PIF Leaders Meeting opens in Honiara with call to deepen regionalism

By Fredrick Kusu 

The 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting officially opens in Honiara with a call to deepen regionalism.

In his opening remarks, Chair of the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele calls on leaders to discuss the way forward to address issues affecting the region.

“To my colleague leaders, I am hopeful that over the course of this week, we will use our time together to tok stori and deepen our understanding of each other’s perspectives and more importantly find the way forward on the merging challenges and opportunities on our horizon as a Blue Pacific Continent,” Manele said.

Manele said the current meeting provides an opportunity for leaders to be clear on the decisions and expectations on the meeting agendas.

These agendas include political leadership and unity, the regional system, deepened regionalism and partnership.

“We must continue to invest in our regional organizations. They must grow from strength to strength and more so they continue to respond to the needs of its members,” he said.

Manele also looks forward to discussing opportunities of working towards stronger inter-governmental organizations that embrace international laws.

Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Baron Waqa said the decisions made during the course of the meeting will have a lasting impact on the region.

“What is important throughout is the consistent will to navigate issues together. 

“The decisions before our leaders this week frame through our 2050 Strategy may have lasting implications on our region from reaffirming our centrality of peace in our region to the establishment of our first financial institution,” Waqa said.

The PIF Leaders meeting begins with meetings by the leaders of the Pacific Small Islands States (S-I-S) and members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (A-C-P).

Top of the agenda for S-I-S are the review of the S-I-S Group and Strategy, expression of interest by the Government of Tonga for membership and the revitalisation of the S-I-S Development Fund, to strengthen self-reliance and visibility.

A-C-P discussions build on its meeting in Suva, Fiji in February this year to discuss issues under the Samoa Agreement that sets out principles and values between member countries and the European Union (EU).

Earlier before the official opening, leaders gathered to welcome the arrival of the traditional canoes, the Tepuke of Temotu province and the Uto Ni Yalo of Fiji.

The canoes’ voyage carried a message of Pacific unity and ocean protection to the PIF Leaders meeting.

They showcased the traditional ways of sea navigation by Pacific ancestors.

Welcoming the voyagers, Prime Minister Manele said the arrival of the canoes indicates the Pacific region’s connection to the ocean.

“The presence of Tepuke and Uto Ni Yalo represents the richness of our diverse Pacific culture and demonstrates our intricate connection to the ocean.”

The 54th PIF Leaders Meeting continues in the Solomon Islands capital, Honiara with the theme “Iumi Tugeda: Act Now for an Integrated Blue Pacific Continent”.

[end]