BY NED GAGAHE
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele will depart this weekend to attend the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Meeting in Tonga.
The PIF meeting begins in the capital Nukualofa Monday 26th August, 2024 which will bring together Prime Ministers and Presidents from 16 member countries including Australia and New Zealand.
Parliament passed a special adjournment motion on Thursday 22, August 2024 to allow Prime Minister Manele’s full engagement at the Forum leaders meeting.
The Forum Leaders’ Meeting is the highest political regional decision-making body, held annually, where Prime Ministers and Presidents of member countries gather to deliberate on critical matters of significance to the region.
“Mr Speaker, the PIF Meeting as you know is the annual meeting where we deliberate on critical matters of importance to our region. This is one of the mandatory international meetings, the Prime Minister attends every year.” Prime Minister Manele said when he moved the special adjournment motion in Parliament.
“Sir, the Forum Leaders Meeting is the apex for regional political decision making, our participation at the meeting will ensure that the decisions that are made collectively by Pacific Leaders at this regional forum respects and do undermine our sovereignty and foster stronger collaboration and cooperation amongst and between countries in our region.” He said.
The Prime Minister noted the PIF receives and considers recommendations from regional ministerial meetings and that requires the decision of the highest political level in the region.
Manele said his participation as the Prime Minister at the 53rd Forum Leaders Meeting this year is even more important because Solomon Islands will host the 54th Forum Leaders Meeting in Honiara in August 2025.
“As the incoming host of the 54th PIF, Solomon Islands will be more closely involved on the Forum agenda in the next 12 months.” Manele said.
A statement from the Office of the Prime Minister said agenda for next week’s plenary sessions focuses on matters of significant importance- 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific, Health, Education, Climate Change and Sea Level Rise, Ocean, Fisheries, Policing and Security, Disaster risk reduction, among others.
The statement said further plans are being finalized for Prime Minister Manele’s bilateral engagements at the margins of the Forum. About 15 formal requests have been received so far from 12 countries and 3 international entities in this regard.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s attendance and active participation in the 53rd PIF Leaders Meeting will assist amplify national issues, concerns and priorities as well as articulate effectively towards the region’s collective future direction.
The last time the Solomon Islands hosted the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Meeting was in 1992. The country hosted the 23rd South Pacific Forum Meeting from 8 to 9 July 1992.
The Prime Minister returns next weekend.
