53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting Nuku’alofa & Vava’u, Tonga 25-30 August 2024

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Honourable Sitiveni Rabuka CF, OBE (Mil), OSt.J, MSD

Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Climate Change and Environment, Civil Service, Information and Public Enterprises

Ministerial Statement

53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting Nuku’alofa & Vava’u, Tonga 25-30 August 2024

Parliament of the Republic of Fiji                                               Tuesday 3 September 2024

Government Buildings, Suva                                                       9.30am

Salutations

  • Honorable Speaker Sir,
  • Honorable Ministers and Assistant Ministers,
  • Honorable Leader of Opposition,
  • Honorable Members of Parliament, and
  • Ladies & Gentlemen.

Opening Remarks 

  • Ni sa bula vinaka and a very good morning to you all.
  • I also extend warm greetings to those watching via livestream or listening on the radio.

Introduction

  • Mr Speaker, Sir, last week, Pacific Leaders gathered in Nuku’alofa in the Kingdom of Tonga for the “53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting 2024”.
    • The Forum brought together Heads of States, Heads of Government and Ministers from across the Pacific region[1].
  • The theme for the Forum Leaders Meeting was a “Transformative and Resilient Pasifiki: Build Better Now”

Ocean of Peace

  • On Thursday 29th August, I joined other Forum Leaders in the beautiful island of Vava’u for the Leaders Retreat.
  • The retreat provided an opportunity for Pacific Leaders to consult and hold honest discussions on matters of priority, challenges and opportunities facing our region.
  • Mr Speaker, Sir, the Retreat also provided an opportunity to discuss the concept of the Ocean of Peace which I had presented to this August House not too long ago.
  • Leaders reflected on the concept and welcomed its alignment with the 2050 Strategy for a Blue Pacific Continent, the 2018 Boe Declaration on Regional Security and the 2000 Biketawa Declaration.
  • Forum Leaders acknowledge the importance of the principles presented through the concept for the Ocean of Peace.
  • I am pleased to report Mr. Speaker Sir, that the Leaders have tasked the Forum Secretariat in cooperation with Fiji to develop a draft Ocean of Peace Declaration for consideration by the Leaders at the 54th Pacific Islands Forum in Honiara, Solomon Islands in 2025.
  • My fellow Leaders and I were especially encouraged by the very positive remarks of the representatives of the US and Chinese Governments at the Meeting.
  • The US Deputy Secretary of State, Dr Kurt Campbell and the China’s Special Envoy to the Pacific, His Excellency Qian Bo,  in their remarks embraced the concept of the Ocean of Peace, and demonstrated in very clear language their intentions to cooperate in the Pacific with Pacific Islands countries.
  • Sir, please allow me to quote their comments:
  • Dr Kurt Campbell remarked: “… I had a very good meeting just now with the excellent representative from the People’s Republic of China … We have agreed that in the weeks and months ahead, the United States and China in the Pacific will work together to find programmes of action where we, together, can work to develop habits of cooperation between the United States and China, in the Pacific, to address issues of climate change, rural development, or other areas which are critical to the peoples of the Pacific.”
  • Campbell continued: “I will say he was enthusiastic about it, he believed it was important. I think it is critical for our friends around the table here that we together are committed. Next year when we meet, we will be underway with those projects of cooperation.”
  • In response Special Envoy Qian Bo said, “… what Deputy Secretary Mr. Campbell has proposed, in my view, is encouraging and constructive. It is not only in line with the consensus reached by the leaders of our two countries, but also in the best interest of Pacific Island countries and the Region. We wish to keep in close contact with the US side to discuss specific projects on climate change on which we can work together.” (End of quote)
  • Mr Speaker, the words of these two distinguished representatives of their great nations are the very demonstration of what is possible in peace.
  • When we believe in peace, advocate for peace, stand for and uphold peace, it resonates, it removes fear.
  • When this happens, it empowers one to cross the line, to reach out to the other side and offer “peace be with you”
  • Sir, those were the very first words our Lord uttered after resurrection, to His disciples who were paralyzed by fear.
  • Peace moves people to dare again, to rediscover themselves and eventually, offer that same peace.

Pacific Policing Initiative

  • Another significant milestone Mr Speaker Sir, is the endorsement of the Pacific Policing Initiative on the heels of the Leaders decision on the Ocean of Peace.
  • This is a major regional initiative to strengthen collective peace and security throughout the Pacific.
  • Speaker, the Pacific Policing Initiative can be said to be a practical expression of the Ocean of Peace.
  • If the Blue Pacific wants to make a leading contribution to global peace, we need practical means to support peace at home.
  • Mr Speaker, one of the principles of the Ocean of Peace calls for the introduction of a code of conduct.
  • No one needs reminding of the scourge of drugs and related crimes that befall our nation and others around the region.
  • The Pacific Policing Initiative is central to the Ocean of Peace.
  • Peace needs to lead to a change of behaviour.
  • The Pacific Policing Initiative provides for the establishment of regional training centres of excellence and a standing, multi-national deployable force.
  • Mr Speaker Sir, this initiative came to life through Fiji’s Chairmanship of the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police conference by Acting Commissioner, Juki Fong Chew.
  • The region has seen the benefits of regional peacekeeping and humanitarian training through Fiji’s facilities at Blackrock Camp.

Pacific Resilience Facility

  • On discussions surrounding Climate Change and Resilience Mr Speaker Sir, Forum leaders provided support to the Pacific Resilience Facility.
  • This is the first Pacific-led, member-owned and managed, and people-centred climate and disaster resilience financing facility.
  • Leaders agreed that the Facility will be domiciled in Tonga.
  • Development partners have made commitments to the facility including
  • Australia (AUD$100 million),
  • Saudi Arabia (USD$50 million),
  • the People’s Republic of China (USD$500,000),
  • the United States (USD$25 million) and
  • the United Kingdom has pledged the provision of technical support valued at £1.3 million.

New Caledonia

  • Mr Speaker Sir, in addition to this, Forum Leaders were provided an update on the situation in New Caledonia by the President of the Government of New Caledonia, the Honourable Louis Mapou.
  • Fiji along with other Forum Leaders reaffirmed our continued call for order and stability to prevail.
  • I also reiterated Fiji’s commitment to the deployment of the high-level Forum Troika-Plus Observer Mission to New Caledonia as discussions continue on a date for the Mission.
  • Other highlights from the Forum Leaders Meeting, Sir, are reflected in the Forum Leaders Communique developed as an Outcome of the Leaders Plenary and Retreat.

Bilateral Meetings

  • Mr Speaker Sir, in parallel to the Forum Leaders Programme the Fiji delegation held 22 Bilateral Meetings throughout the week.
  • The Annual Forum Leaders Meeting provides an opportunity for Fiji to meet bilateral and multilateral development partners to progress development cooperation.
  • I had the privilege of meeting and holding discussions with the:
  • United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres,
  • Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Honourable James Marape,
  • Prime Minister of Cook Islands, Honourable Mark Brown,
  • Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Honourable Jeremiah Manele,
  • Prime Minister of Tonga, Honourable Sovaleni Hu’akavameiliku,
  • Governor of American Samoa, Honourable Lemanu Mauga, and
  • the United States Deputy Secretary of State, Dr Kurt Campbell.

Air Transport Agreement with the U.S.

  • Mr Speaker Sir, I am pleased to report to this August House and the Nation, that Fiji’s first official Air Transport Agreement for “open skies” was signed with the United States on Wednesday, 28 August 2024 in the margins of the meeting.
    • The Agreement will advance our countries’ bilateral aviation cooperation and bring the civil aviation transportation relationship between the United States and Fiji to the highest modern standard.
    • The Agreement will expand our economic and commercial partnership, promote people-to-people ties, and create new opportunities for customers, airlines, and travel companies.
  • Under the Agreement, air carriers will be able to provide more affordable, convenient, and efficient air services to travellers and shippers, promoting tourism and commerce.
  • The Agreement includes unrestricted capacity and frequency of services for both passenger and all-cargo carriers, open route rights, an open charter regime, self-handling provisions, and open code-sharing opportunities.
  • I am confident that this will foster increased investments, maintain trade and increased visitor arrivals for Fiji’s tourism industry.
  • Fiji Airways’ new Nadi to Dallas flight route will commence from 10th December this year.

Other Bilateral Engagements

  • Mr Speaker Sir, I also take this time to acknowledge other bilateral engagements by Ministers and senior officials from our delegation.
  • These included the Ministers for Regional Development, Fisheries & Forests, Health and Home Affairs, as well as Permanent Secretaries, our Permanent Representative to the United Nations, High Commissioner and Special Envoy supported by technical officials.
  • Fiji actively participated in various side events and meetings that were held on the margins of the Leaders’ Meeting.
  • Speaker Sir, now that the meeting has concluded, the next stage of work starts.
  • All in all, Mr Speaker Sir, the Meeting in Tonga was a timely reminder of the resilience of our Pacific region when we work in solidarity and unity.
  • This was evident when meeting proceedings were barely affected when a 6.6 magnitude earthquake and aftershocks occurred after heavy rain in Tongatapu on Monday, 26th
  • It was a stark reminder to all that were present of the challenges that we face on this side of the world.

Conclusion

  • To conclude Mr Speaker Sir, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to His Majesty the King, the Prime Minister, the Government and people of the Kingdom of Tonga for the excellent arrangements made in hosting the 2024 Pacific Leaders’ Meeting, and for the warm hospitality extended to all delegations during our stay.
  • Tonga’s rich culture and tradition, vibrant dances and exuberant mafana, uplifting sounds of choir and harmonious community spirit of the Friendly Isles was on full display, a most remarkable experience and wonderful showcase of our “Pacific Way”.
  • I thank you Mr. Speaker, Sir.

[1] Australia, the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Fiji, French Polynesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and the Republic of Vanuatu. The Republic of Kiribati was represented at Ministerial level. Tokelau attended the formal session as an Associate Member. American Samoa and Guam

attended as Forum Observers.

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