Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)

This includes feminists and women’s rights activists who have often been the target of harassment and intimidation because of their work. 

Forum Secretary-General Henry Puna said at this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women that, “I also want to recognize those whose work in this space may not be as visible but is equally important. This includes community activists, traditional and religious leaders, and human rights defenders.” 

This includes over $45 million (K150 million) in new programming for Papua New Guinea, as well as additional Pacific Islands programming. 

The President’s FY 2024 Budget also requests $7.1 billion over 20 years to extend assistance under the Compacts of Free Association with the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Palau.

The new announcements include the following lines of effort:

Prime Minister James Marape, who will be attending the PIF meeting said the 2050 strategy, once endorsed, will become the blueprint that will set out the collective vision for the region in terms of oceans preservation, conservation and sustainable management for our future generations.

Whilst in Fiji, Marape will also hand-over the Chairmanship of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) at a Special MSG Leaders meeting on the margins of the 51st PIF to the incoming Chairman and Prime Minister of Vanuatu Bob Loughman.

PIF leaders from 18 member countries will gather face-to face for the first time since 2019 to discuss a basket of issues affecting the region.
 
Marape will meet the host of the 51st PIF and Fijian Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama and newly-elected Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the margins of the 51st PIF.
 
The meeting, hosted by the Fijian government, is billed as one of the most-significant in recent history as the region gradually emerges from the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 

He said this when addressing a virtual Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting with UN Secretary General, H.E Antonio Guterres, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City this week.

“Across the region, partners have provided vaccines to Forum Island Countries, complementing those that have been secured through multilateral channels such as the COVAX facility.

This is also to help the Forum Island countries achieve robust economic growth and sustainable development.

In that regard, Leaders also welcomed the conclusion of negotiations on all fifteen chapters of the PACER Plus text and called on all participants to continue to demonstrate good will and flexibility.

Leaders noted that a timetable has been agreed for the conclusion of market access negotiations by the end of October 2016, and for the Agreement to be signed by the end of 2016.