The Forum Troika-led mission to New Caledonia has been postponed, with Pacific Islands Forum Leaders citing the need to address due process and protocol issues before proceeding.
The mission, originally scheduled for this week, will now take place after the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga.
The decision comes after careful consideration by the Forum Troika, who were set to visit New Caledonia following unrest that began on 13 May 2024. The mission had been requested by the President of the Government of New Caledonia Louis Mapou and was subsequently approved by the French State.
In a statement, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat confirmed that it has been working closely with both the French State and the Government of New Caledonia to ensure that the mission’s objectives and arrangements “meet the expectations of all relevant stakeholders.”
The Secretariat noted that “the New Caledonia Government has identified a number of issues regarding due process and protocol that will need to be addressed prior to a Troika visit.” As a result, “in order to allow additional time to resolve the concerns of our fellow Forum Member, the Forum Troika has decided to postpone their mission until after the Forum Leaders meeting in Tonga.”
The situation in New Caledonia will now be a key topic of discussion at the upcoming Leaders Meeting in Tonga, where further guidance will be sought on how best to support New Caledonia in the coming weeks.
Despite the postponement, the Forum family reaffirmed its “full commitment to support New Caledonia as best as it can during this time, including through the Troika-led mission to New Caledonia at a mutually agreed time.”
