PACIFIC Islands Forum (PIF) Troika leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional governance and Pacific unity as they prepare for the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau later this year.
The leaders convened to hold strategic discussions on the future governance of the Pacific regional system and to identify key regional priorities in preparation for the annual leaders’ summit, scheduled in Palau from August 31 to September 4.
The Forum Troika comprises the Forum Chair, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale, Tonga Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua, and Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr.
The meeting formed part of Wale’s first official state visit to Fiji since assuming the Forum chairmanship.
Opening the meeting, Wale said the region’s institutions must continue evolving to respond to an increasingly complex strategic environment.
“The question before us is not whether the region will change. It will. The question is whether we, as a region, are positioned to evolve quickly enough to continue serving our Leaders and our people in an agile and efficient manner,” he said.
The leaders discussed the implementation of the Suva Agreement and broader reforms under the Review of the Regional Architecture, aimed at ensuring Pacific regional institutions remain responsive, member-led and fit for purpose
Climate action also featured prominently, with leaders exchanging views on preparations for regional engagement ahead of COP31, including Fiji and Tuvalu’s hosting of a pre-COP31 meeting later this year.
They also reviewed progress on the Pacific Resilience Facility and stressed the importance of mobilising support from development partners to capitalise the region’s flagship resilience financing mechanism.
Preparations for the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting were another key agenda item, with leaders discussing priorities for the gathering in Palau.
The Troika reaffirmed the Forum’s role as the Pacific’s premier political institution and emphasised the importance of maintaining regional unity, strengthening governance and accelerating the implementation of leaders’ decisions.
