The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Foreign Ministers are convening in Suva for their annual meeting, addressing urgent regional issues ahead of the Forum Leaders’ Summit in Tonga later this month.
Discussions today cover key topics including regional peace and security, the progress of the 2050 Strategy, a Review of the Regional Architecture, and the Forum’s partnership mechanisms.
The meeting is being chaired by the current Forum Chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown and includes twelve ministerial representatives, three special envoys, and senior officials from all 18 Forum Member countries.
In his opening remarks, Brown underscored the significance of the discussions.
“We contend with ever-increasing geo-strategic interest. We continue to battle a climate crisis that intensifies every year. We navigate new and emerging challenges and threats such as cyber-attacks and transnational crime.”
Brown reiterated the need for regional solidarity and strategic action.
“Indeed, I cannot underscore enough the importance of our collective solidarity while we all recognize that our national priorities will always be paramount. We must also recognise that in the face of the uncertainties we contend with today, we must be able to trust and count on the solidarity and support of those closest to us, our forum family, amidst these pressures, I am pleased that we are taking the time to consider how we can better strengthen the way we organise ourselves to progress the priorities that we share. We can no longer rest on our laurels and depend on the goodwill of others. If we are to attain our shared 2050, vision, we must be more strategic and more assertive in our collective engagement. In doing so we can ensure that partners are supporting our priorities and our aspirations. I realise that these are issues that we can consider further through the agenda items before us today. In saying so, I encourage and all of us to be frank, constructive and honest in our discussions. This is our space, so let’s make the most of it. “
Brown also took the opportunity to acknowledge members of their support as he nears the end of his tenure as chair, handing over to Tongan Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku when the leaders meet in Nuku’alofa on August 26-30.
In his address, Secretary General Baron Waqa was grateful for the opportunity to engage with his counterparts in his first meeting with Foreign Ministers since taking over the role.
“Now these sorts of opportunities to be with, with to be with one another, are precious to me,” Waqa said. “I can assure you that my tenure as Secretary General will be founded on nurturing unity and leadership. And we will continue to have more opportunities like this morning to strengthen our bond. After all, the collective strength of the forum is drawn from its unity. It is drawn from forum centrality and it will only prosper through forum solidarity.”
He highlighted the importance of today’s discussions.
“We are in a period of transition and the guidance we require from you today is significant. The presence today of our forum chair and incoming forum chair should indicate to us all the significance of this meeting. I know that we all have high expectations. I call on you to be frank in your discussions to ensure that we provide our leaders with strong, firm and decisive outcomes as they prepare to meet in Tonga.”
Today’s convening follows the Forum Officials Committee meeting held at the Secretariat Headquarters on August 6-7.
