PIF

Micronesian leaders 'pause' break away from Forum

The Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru and Palau announced in February last year that they would withdraw from the forum, after losing the vote to elect a new secretary-general.

At the time, they said say the rejection of their candidate, Marshall Islands' Gerald Zackios, had led to division within the Pacific. Forum members voted in favour of former Cook Islands prime minister Henry Puna.

Forum to discuss Vanuatu's intent to defer hosting Leaders Summit

The Government of Vanuatu has formally advised the Forum of its intention to defer the 51st Pacific Islands Forum Meeting scheduled for 4 - 7 August 2020 to next year.

The Vanuatu National Taskforce recommended to the Government to defer in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A meeting of the Vanuatu Council of Ministers discussed the recommendation at a meeting last month.

 

Photo PIF Caption: PIF Leaders at their meeting in Tuvalu in 2019 

     

PIF granted Permanent Observer Status to UN in Geneva

Mere Falemaka, the Permanent Representative in the Permanent Delegation of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) presented her letter of appointment as Observer to the UNOG in Geneva Tuesday to the UNOG Director General Michael Moller.

The regional representative’s office will now be known as the Permanent Delegation of the Pacific Islands Forum to the United Nations, World Trade Organization, and other international organizations in Geneva.

O'Neill calls for unity among PIF nations

Speaking as the outgoing chairman of the Pacific Island Forum at the 47th PIF summit in the Federated States of Micronesia, O’Neill also addressed the leaders on the progress the group had made in the past year since the 2015 forum in Port Moresby.

He also spoke of the impact climate change may have on the Pacific Islands and called on global leaders to come together in combating the challenge.

“Climate change is more than an environmental issue – it is an economic and political issue as well.

Fisheries sector tops PIF’s agenda

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, who arrived in FSM today said another significant sectors to be discussed also is the issue of climate change and extreme weather.

O’Neill said he expects the economic returns from the fisheries sector to improve through the work undertaken by the Pacific Islands Forum.

“Excellent work is being undertaken by the Fisheries Task Force through cooperation at a regional level,” O’Neill said from Pohnpei in a statement.

PIF communique shows a united Pacific - thinktank

The 46th meeting of the Pacific Island leaders ended in Papua New Guinea last week with a repeat of calls to tackle climate change.

Small island states like Kiribati say developed nations like New Zealand and Australia should set their emissions target at 1.5 degrees but the two countries remain set on two degrees.

Jenny Hayward-Jones from the Lowy Institute says the resulting communique will still bring a strong Pacific voice to COP21.

Indonesia to refuse PIF leaders or work with them : Wale

This is the will of all the Pacific leaders and their people including Australia and New Zealand and PNG as chair is mandated to consult with Indonesia.

Australia to give $19million surveillance aid to Pacific Island countries

Prime Minister Tony Abbott revealed this to the media tonight after the Pacific Island Forum Leaders’ retreat in Port Moresby.

“Australia will be increasing its Ariel surveillance of the Pacific (Ocean) and will be committing additional $19million a year so the fisheries (industry) can be properly patrolled and policed,” Abbott said.

Australia will also be giving a new patrol boat to monitor illegal fishing in the PIF nation’s exclusive economic zone. 

He said a “stronger economy is vital and fishing and tourism is a mainstay of Pacific economies.”

O'Neill to convey West Papua concerns to Indonesia

This was the outcome announced by O’Neill this evening after much debate among leaders.

O’Neill is also expected to consult the Indonesia government on a fact finding mission by PIF to West Papua.

“We declare that this is a consultation process and we need to work together and the Indonesia government must be commended for their efforts to ensure more autonomy is given to West Papua,” he said. 

West Papua Human rights issue was a key agenda discussed today by the leaders.

Talk of Fiji rift as Voreqe Bainimarama a no-show at Pacific Islands Forum

The pair were scheduled to both attend PIF in Port Moresby this week but Bainimarama is a no-show and Key said “it would have been nice” if he had turned up.

Key acknowledged it was Bainimarama's decision saying, “if he doesn't want to come he doesn't have to come”.

There are indications Bainimarama has been stirring up trouble by encouraging smaller Pacific states to thumb their noses at New Zealand and Australia this week.