Pacific Islands Forum

Third Pacific leader speaks out about Forum top job

Concerns have been raised about the Micronesian Presidents Summit endorsing Nauru's controversial former president Baron Waqa to be the next Forum secretary general.

RNZ Pacific reports Waqa is due to take up the role in 2024, replacing Henry Puna.

It was part of the Forum's effort to appease its disgruntled Micronesian members, who had threatened to leave the regional agency.

Forum reaches out to people of Vanuatu after cyclones and quake

Brown, who is also Cook Islands Prime Minister, said the Forum stands ready to assist with the recovery and rebuilding efforts as and when possible.

"Our hearts go out to those in Vanuatu who are now homeless, those hurting, those displaced, those hungry and the many anxiously awaiting news or assistance," he said.

Brown said the ongoing anxiety and trauma caused to hundreds of families during these intensifying events is also an emerging priority.

Vanuatu PM Ishmael Kalsakau meets with Fiji PM

The meeting enabled the two leaders to discuss the current areas of cooperation and consolidate a way forward to further enhance the levels of cooperation.

Prime Minister Rabuka said Fiji places great importance on its relations with Vanuatu and there are common interest on the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) bloc - currently chaired by Vanuatu.

He said Fiji looks forward to working closely with MSG to advance the development of our Pacific family.

Fiji passes baton to the Cook Islands

"As I handover the baton, I know that we are in good hands as we paddle our drua (canoe) to achieve our collective aspirations," said Rabuka in his final statement as outgoing Forum chair.

The chairmanship has been transferred to the Cook Islands who will host the 52nd PIF summit later this year.

Cook Islands Prime Minister, Mark Brown, has promised to keep the region's "unity intact".

'Fracture is history' - Pacific leaders commit to PIF reforms

Stepping back into the fold Kiribati president, Taneti Maamau, inked the final signature on the Suva Agreement ending two years of uncertainty and marking the start of a new chapter for Pacific solidarity.

"In unity we will surely succeed," President Taneti Maamau told RNZ Pacific.

"We have a duty as Pacific family to keep us together and to meet the challenges together," he added.

The reforms deemed "non-negotiables" include the endorsement of Micronesian candidates for certain regional roles and the establishment of two sub-regional offices in the north Pacific.

Puna and Maamau embrace as Pacific unites once again

The 5th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Special Leaders Retreat, labelled as a significant milestone, began in the tourism hotspot, Denarau Island, near Nadi, on Thursday morning.

Kiribati, which announced its withdrawal from PIF last year, is back in the fold and the Micronesian nation's return to the Forum family is a key focus of the special meeting.

President, Taneti Maamau, was greeted by the man who has been at the public face of the tensions, PIF secretary-general, Henry Puna on Wednesday.

Fiji to host the Pacific Islands Forum Special Leaders’ Retreat

Continuing the theme of “Reflection, Renewal, Celebration”, the Special Leaders Retreat will be held from 23-24 February 2023 in Denarau, Nadi and will focus on Forum solidarity.

The meeting will also see the transition of the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum from Fiji to the Cook Islands. Mark Brown, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands will look to host the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in the fourth quarter of 2023.

“It has been an honour and a privilege for the Government of Fiji to have carried the role of Forum Chair,” said PM Rabuka.

Fiji PM eager to host Pacific leaders

Fiji Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka said he remains committed to working closely with Pacific Islands Forum leaders as he looks forward to welcoming them to the country to celebrate the dawn of a new era.

Rabuka highlighted this in a statement on Pacific solidarity.

He stressed that as the Chair of the Forum, he returns to this leadership role as the oldest leader-in-office regionally, which means he does not have the luxury nor the flexibility to make mistakes.

Still work to do as Kiribati rejoins Forum - Academic

The Micronesian country's shock withdrawal in July last year rocked the foundations of Pacific regionalism and raised questions about the power dynamics and politics within the Pacific Islands Forum.

In a statement on Monday, the Kiribati government confirmed the nation would be returning to the fold.

Fiji PM says Kiribati set to rejoin Pacific Islands Forum

Forum Chair, the Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, said his office has received a letter confirming this intention from the Kiribati President, Taneti Maamau.

Rabuka visited Kiribati just over a week ago, on his first official overseas visit since taking office.

At the time he said bringing Kiribati back into the Forum was the visit's overall objective.