THE Pacific Islands Forum has expressed unity with Australia in the wake of a shooting in which 15 people were killed and 27 wounded at Bondi Beach, Sydney, on Sunday.
Secretary-General Baron Waqa described the shooting as tragic.
“The Forum family stands with the people and Government of Australia in this moment of grief, following this shocking tragedy,’’ Waqa said.
“As a region, our ties are founded on deep bonds of respect and familial relationships.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese claimed the shooting was motivated by Islamic State ideology.
Waqa said respect for all religions and beliefs was central to Pacific identity and underpinned unity and harmony across the region’s richly diverse societies.
“Indeed, what affects one of us in the region affects all of us.’’
Waqa said the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat remained committed to supporting its members in promoting peace, tolerance, and respect for diversity.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with our Australian brothers and sisters at this difficult time.”
The shooters were identified as Sajid Akram, 50, who moved to Australia in 1998 and was killed at the scene, and his son Naveed, 24, who was born in Australia and is in custody.
The incident targeted Jewish Australians and is the worst mass shooting in the country for in 30 years.