BY SAMIE WAIKORI
As part of Pacific Island Forum (PIF) Leaders’ commitment to deepening regional integration, PIF assures to leave no-one behind with emphasis on collective effort to address priorities of Small Island States in Pacific region.
In a PIF-Troika press conference held on the conclusion of 54th Pacific Island Forum leaders meeting on Friday, September 12, 2025 in Honiara, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, Chair of PIF reiterated PIF’s support for SIS.
He said the leaders of the SIS identified their key priorities, and this cannot be driven or achieved in isolation.
“Air and sea transport has been identified as one of the SIS priorities.
“These are crucial for the consideration of deepening regional integration to improve inter-regional trade, access to finance, and sustainable economic development,” Manele said.
According to the unofficial final draft of 54th PIF communique, leaders welcomed priorities identified by SIS members.
In considering the evolving strategic environment, Leaders recognised the unique vulnerabilities and challenges of the SIS Members.
Leaders welcomed and endorsed the mainstreaming of the SIS Leaders priorities across all CROP agencies as follows
- Securing reliable and affordable air and sea transport, including upper airspace management;
- Advancing fisheries development and participation in regional value chains;
- Strengthening regional procurement and health workforce mechanisms; and
- Enhancing access to climate finance, with a strong call for operationalising the Multi-Dimensional Vulnerability Index within regional agencies.
PIF leaders also noted the call by SIS members for the provision of adequate and dedicated support on the implementation and management of SIS matters.
The current chair of the Small Island States (SIS) group, Kiribati, will work closely with PIF to pursue priorities identified during the 54th PIF meeting.
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