The 47th Pacific Island Forum meeting in the Federated States of Micronesia by the leaders have recognised the political sensitivities of the issue of West Papua (Papua) and agreed the issue of alleged human rights violations should remain on their agenda
The leaders also agreed on the importance of an open and constructive dialogue with Indonesia on the issue.
The leaders have also accepted French Polynesia and New Caledonia as full Members of the Pacific Islands Forum.
The forum was held from 8 – 10 September 2016 and was attended by Heads of State and Government of Australia, the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
The Solomon Islands was represented by their Deputy Prime Minister, the Republic of Fiji, Niue and the Republic of Palau by their Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Kiribati by a Special Envoy.
The Forum Leaders’ Retreat was held at FSM Congress Chamber in Palikir on 10 September 2016.
French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Tokelau attended the formal session as Associate Members.
The Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, Timor-Leste, Wallis and Futuna, the Asian Development Bank, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the United Nations (UN), the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and the World Bank attended as Observers.
The leaders also extended their warmest gratitude to His Excellency, President Peter M. Christian, and the Government and the people of the Federated States of Micronesia for the excellent arrangements for the 2016 Forum Leaders’ meeting and warmly thanked the hosts for their generous hospitality extended to them during their stay in Pohnpei.