Page 37 - IB June July 2024

Analysis

WAQA TAKES THE WHEEL AT THE FORUM

By Nic Maclellan strategic interests in the region, many Pacific leaders are
worried that island priorities are repeatedly overshadowed by
Nearing the end of his term as Secretary General of the broader Indo-Pacific agendas.
Pacific Islands Forum, Henry Puna travelled to Rarotonga in As we head towards the 53rd Forum leaders meeting, to
May and was feted by Mark Brown, Prime Minister of Cook be held in the Kingdom of Tonga between 26-30 August, here
Islands and the current Forum Chair. are some of the issues that continue to challenge Pacific
As the first Cook Islander to head the Forum Secretariat in regionalism.
Suva, Puna noted that his homeland was one of the founders
of the regional organisation in 1971. He stressed that “the Changing of the Guard
Forum was formed in the realisation that in this world, The reconciliation with the Micronesian states involved
individually our voices will never be heard, but together agreement to expand Forum operations in the northern
collectively as one region, we can make a difference.” Pacific, and ensure representation from each sub-region in the
As Secretary General, Puna has navigated difficult times, Forum leadership.
and his leadership was Baron Waqa takes
cut short after just the helm as the
one term. The regional nominee of the
organisation suffered Micronesian leaders,
a damaging split as to be supported by
the five members two deputy secretaries
of the Micronesian general, one each
Presidents’ Summit from Melanesia and
(MPS) walked out, Polynesia. Awaiting
angered by Puna’s 2021 Waqa’s arrival and the
appointment in place appointment of his
of their own nominee. Polynesian counterpart,
Beyond that, the COVID Deputy Secretary Esala
pandemic damaged Nayasi—a long time
regional economies Fijian diplomat—has
and societies, and been carrying a heavy
generated debt that (L-R) Louisa Waqa, PIFS Secretary General Baron Waqa and Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. load as the Forum
will hamper budgets Photo: Fiji Government Secretariat starts work
for years to come. In the aftermath of the pandemic, conflicts on implementing the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy. The second
in Europe and Middle East have sent political and economic Deputy SG, Samoa’s Desna Solofa, began her term on June 24.
shockwaves as far as Oceania, diverting financial assistance The Secretariat faces constant stress, as it seeks to attract
and attention from the climate emergency. and keep staff. Amongst some donors and other agencies
As he left his post, Puna noted: “Times have been hard, but in the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific
I’m pleased that we were able to navigate those challenges (CROP), there are concerns over the Secretariat’s capacity
within the family, particularly back in 2021. It’s good to see to deal with an ever-widening agenda in a complex political
that we’re still together, strong, standing on our feet and environment, even supplemented by a range of consultants.
proud of the fact that we have brought about the reunification There is another significant shift, as a new generation of
and the strengthening of the Forum family.” politicians join the annual leaders’ retreat. For decades,
Now former Nauru President, Baron Divavesi Waqa, has there was continuity of experience in Forum leadership,
taken the helm at the Forum Secretariat in Suva. At his official personified by the late Sir Michael Somare of PNG, Niue’s Toke
welcome, Waqa said: “As a region, together we will stand Talagi and Samoa’s Tuilaepa. As mentors to newly elected
strong and firm, and be an exemplary model of solidarity, leaders, the old guard could share the history of decisions
support, and partnership. Our responsibility and obligation made at past meetings, how deals had been struck and where
for each other’s safety, security and well-being will be of the skeletons are buried.
paramount importance under my leadership.” There is always a churn of leadership at regional level,
Waqa inherits an organisation with new direction, bolstered given the regular elections and no-confidence motions
by the reunification with the Micronesian states and the amongst the 18 Forum members. But many of the leaders
adoption of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent who will travel to Nuku’alofa in August are relatively
as a framework for regional coordination. However, there are new to regional affairs, despite their vast experience at
choppy waters ahead. national level. Ironically, it’s the newest member—Tuvalu
As development partners seek to advance their own Prime Minister Feleti Teo—who brings a wealth of regional
Islands Business,June/Juy 2024 37