Resolutions reached by Pacific leaders at the 46th Pacific Island Forum (PIF) will set the regional agenda for the world stage.
“2015 marks a critical point for our region in influencing the course of international affairs,” said Dame Meg Taylor, secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
She opened the Small Island States (SIS) leaders meeting this morning and challenged them to work with other PIF member countries in line with the Pacific Regionalism goals.
The SIS grouping comprises the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Republic of Marshall Islands and Tuvalu.
“The SIS has a role to play in elevating your collective concerns and perspectives on the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals and the momentum towards the COP21 (United Nations Climate Change) meeting in Paris, throughout the course of your deliberation with fellow leaders and key partners this week.”
“Your collective resolve is critical in further shaping a strategic and political Pacific response to these international endeavours.”
The five topics on the card for round table discussion by the leaders of the 16 member PIF are; to increase returns from fisheries and maritime surveillance, climate risk and disaster risk management, information and communication technology, West Papua and cervical cancer.
Dame Meg said that the real underlying issues affecting many smaller Pacific Island countries had yet to be addressed.
“For too long we have expressed much intention and hope in addressing the unique vulnerabilities of the SIS, but unfortunately at times with little or varied results.
“We cannot afford not to place special attention on the SIS, if we are to reflect and better understand the real rewards of regionalism.
“The region stands to gain and learn from the special attention given to the smallest of our collective.”
“Where this can be most evident, is of course in our endeavours to tackle the devastating and indiscriminate impacts of climate change on the SIS.”
Meanwhile, the formal PIF leaders meeting will take place on Wednesday.
Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu are the countries represented.
Caption: Dame Meg Taylor speaking and listening attentively is the President of Palau, Thomas Esang Remengesau, Jr who is also the outgoing chair of the PIF leaders.