BY SAMIE WAIKORI
The Pacific Island Forum Secretary General, His Excellency Baron Devavesi Waqa acknowledges regional media, who are in Honiara for the 54th PIF meeting, for their commitment to continue to tell the stories of the Blue Pacific region.
Speaking at a three-day regional media training, organised by PIF through Pacific Island News Association (PINA) and Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) that concluded yesterday, the Secretary General underscored the significant role played by media, who are not just observers, but part of the Pacific story.
“You are the eyes and ears of our communities, the trusted voices that help our people make sense of the challenges we face, and the agents of accountability who help keep our institutions transparent and responsive,” he said.
Highlighted that the theme for this year’s meeting “Iumi Tugeda: Act Now for an Integrated Blue Pacific Continent” rings through the shared partnership between PIF and media.
“Your work helps ensure that regional priorities, whether it’s climate change, ocean governance, security, or economic resilience are communicated with accuracy, urgency, and context.
“These are not just policy issues. They are lived realities for our people. Your storytelling brings these realities to life in ways that policy documents alone cannot.
“As Forum Leaders prepare to meet in the Solomon Islands this coming week, your role becomes even more vital.
“The decisions taken during the meetings of the Forum Leaders will shape the direction of our region for years to come.
“Your coverage, in a truthful, fair, accurate, and balanced way, will shape how those decisions are understood, debated, and remembered by our Pacific citizens,” Waqa said.
PIF understands around 140 regional journalists were accredited for the meeting – making the largest delegation to Honiara.
He said PIF recognised the shortfalls face by media in terms of limited resources, fast changing technologies and lack of recognition, but they valued and committed to work with media.
On the same note, Waqa reaffirmed the support of PIF to ensure the regional media workshop is convened every year.
“Let this workshop not be an end, but a beginning—a platform for stronger collaboration between Forum institutions and regional media.
“Let us continue to further build upon established mutual trust, open dialogue, and shared understanding, so that together, we can amplify the voices of the Blue Pacific Continent.