Pacific Leaders Meet in Fiji for High-Level Closed-Door Talks
By Tonga Independent News
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka hosted a closed-door bilateral meeting with Pacific Island leaders in Nadi, Fiji, on Monday to address pressing regional issues, including recent geopolitical shifts influenced by United States policies.
The gathering marked the first in-person session of the year for the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Troika Leaders and was held at the Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort. The high-level dialogue emphasized regional solidarity and shared leadership.
In attendance were PIF Chair and Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon. Dr. ‘Aisake Valu Eke; incoming PIF Chair and Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Hon. Jeremiah Manele; Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Hon. Mark Brown; and President of Palau, H.E. Surangel Whipps Jr.
Leaders reaffirmed their collective commitment to strengthening cooperation across priority areas, including trade and investment, climate resilience, security, connectivity, and people-to-people relations.
A major item on the agenda was the 2024 Troika Plus Mission to New Caledonia. The mission was launched in response to continued political tensions following New Caledonia’s 2021 referendum, which was boycotted by pro-independence groups. The PIF-led delegation engaged with political, customary, and civil society stakeholders to assess the social and political climate.
The mission report presented during the meeting highlighted key recommendations, such as:
- Encouraging inclusive and transparent dialogue;
- Supporting long-term peacebuilding efforts;
- Upholding the Forum’s decolonization principles.
Leaders also discussed how recent U.S. foreign policy decisions may impact regional security and development, emphasizing the importance of unity in navigating shifting global dynamics.
The meeting concluded with a unified call for regional resilience, peace, and sustainable development throughout the Blue Pacific Continent.
