Pacific Islands Forum new Secretary General Henry Puna says a political dialogue process is underway as he noted the ongoing high-level political dialogue with the Micronesia Presidents’ Summit on notice of withdrawal from the Forum.
Mr Puna says the dialogue process is “symbolic of our Pacific way of talanoa and amicable resolution of differences”.
In a statement issued yesterday, he said he was coming into the role with an open mind, confidence in his team, and an emphatic focus on the Forum family and values of regionalism.
“Our Blue Pacific Continent is at its best and its strongest when our member nations work together as a family, and we must continue to do all we can to protect that strength,” Mr Puna said in the statement.
“Let us await the outcome of that process (political dialogue process). As the Forum Secretariat, we will continue to serve all members and I look forward to that ongoing engagement across our Forum family.
“It is a matter of looking after each other and supporting each other when challenges arise.
“If one succeeds, we all succeed, and if one fails, it’s a shared failure.
“I am committed to working with all our Member nations to work towards strengthening the solidarity of our Forum family.”
