Page 19 - Islands Business February 2023

Pacific Islands Forum

FORUM REUNITED, NOW TO WORK

Pacific Island leaders met in Nadi in February.

By Samantha Magick the three sub-regions, which means that after Baron Waqa’s
term, the next head will come from Melanesia.
The next Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, The Micronesian members of the Forum first signalled
Baron Waqa says, “The Forum is still developing in its form, their decision to leave in February 2021, on the grounds that
regionalism and all these plans to strengthen and unite mem- a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ over appointment of the PIF Secre-
bers and I think what’s going on at the moment is on the right tary General had been broken.
track, but I think I will need to work harder in pushing for Nauru, Palau, FSM and Marshall Islands were convinced
more solidarity.” to return under the so-called Suva Agreement brokered by
Waqa told Islands Business after the Special Leaders Retreat former Fiji PM Voreqe Bainimarama and his Cook Islands and
this month, that the Micronesian members of the Forum had, Samoa counterparts in June last year.
“made their point clear. And the action that they have taken Fiji Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, who handed over the
after a year and a half, I think it’s something that the Forum Chair’s mantle to his Cook Islands colleague, Mark Brown
members were sensitive enough to address and consider, so at the meeting with the words “please handle with care”,
it’s good that everyone is working closely together to reunify worked hard to restore regional unity from his very first days
all members. Micronesia is a good team player, as they have in office, visiting Kiribati to present a traditional apology for
demonstrated.” ruptures in regionalism as his first overseas visit.
Waqa’s appointment came after Pacific leaders prayed At the traditional opening of the Special Leaders Retreat, a
together, ate together and spent a full day in retreat, which matanigasau was presented to leaders, signifying a “profound
ended in Kiribati’s full return to the Pacific Islands Forum and commitment towards the restoration of peace and dignity to
a much larger role for its Micronesian members. the heart of the Vanua, the Fenua or the Whenua.”
Australia and New Zealand have pledged up to NZ$4 million Kiribati’s President, Taneti Maamau had earlier in the week
to operationalise the changes under the so-called Suva Agree- told journalists, “We are overjoyed, full of joy to come back
ment, which will also see a sub-regional office established in to the family of the Pacific as well as the global family. Things
Kiribati. All Forum members will contribute to ongoing imple- that are done in the Pacific affect the entire world.”
mentation from 2026. Referring to the Special Leaders’ Retreat theme, Secretary
Palau will be the new home of the Office of the Pacific General Puna stated, “We have reflected collectively, we have
Ocean Commissioner and the Forum’s current Deputy Secre- renewed collectively with the return of Kiribati, and today
tary General, Filimon Manoni will take up the that role. was about celebration for our being together again.”
The Secretary General’s position will be rotated amongst Puna continued that the leaders’ decision meant they had a

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