THE collective voices of the Pacific people may soon be on a better footing in the United States with plans by regional leaders to set up a special envoy’s office there.
This was made known by Pacific Islands Forum outgoing chairman and Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in his closing remarks at the regional leaders retreat on Denarau Island last week.
“We agree to explore the possibility of the establishment of a permanent Pacific Islands Forum envoy’s office in the United States.
“We look forward to support Australia’s bid to host COP 31 in partnership with the Pacific region,” Mr. Rabuka said.
“In this joint bid, we are also seeking advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the obligations of States in respect of climate change and discuss and support Solomon Islands to defer its imminent graduation from Least Developed Country Status for another three years and two other states have mentioned their interest to be included — Kiribati and Tuvalu.”
Following the two-day retreat, Mr Rabuka described the solidarity of the forum family as fully restored, adding the event allowed leaders to connect and rekindle regional relationships.
The PM also handed over the forum chairmanship to the Cook Island Prime Minister Mark Brown.
“Our gathering as forum leaders here in Denarau was framed under the theme —
“Reflection, renewal, celebration”.
“We have reflected on what it means to be a Forum family and the importance of protecting our own solidarity and we have renewed our collective commitment to the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.”
