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Guide to the 49 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting – Nauru 2018
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Welcome by H.E Baron Divavesi Waqa, President of Nauru

Ekamowir omo! The people of Nauru welcome all to the 49th Pacific change and disaster, rising inequality, de-
Islands Forum Leaders Meeting. pletion of natural resources, regional and
Some know Nauru as the smallest island nation in the world, but global conflict, illegal, unreported and un-
we have never felt this way because we are a large ocean state and a regulated fishing, changing multilateral
member of a much bigger family, the Pacific Islands Forum. Together, relations, and an increasingly crowded and
we are one ‘blue continent’ covering more than 35million square kilo- complex diplomacy in the region.
meters of oceanscape. There has never been a greater need for
The theme for this year’s meeting is Building a Strong Pacific: Our our ocean of islands to strengthen their re-
People, Our Islands, Our Will. I believe it captures the spirit and aspira- solve to work together for the benefit of our
tion of the Pacific Islands Forum’s Agenda. people and our environment.
The Forum Agenda aims to secure the health and wellbeing of all our The future of the Pacific must be deter-
people, particularly the most vulnerable among us. It promotes strong mined by its people. I have no doubt that
collective action in areas such as regional peace and security, and en- this Blue Pacific region contains enough
hancing the resilience of our communities, our ocean, our resources, riches to ensure that we continue developing in sustainable ways that pro-
and our economies. The Agenda is underscored by our desire to man- mote our Pacific Vision of a region of peace, harmony, security, social inclu-
age our own development in our own unique Pacific way. sion, and prosperity, so that all Pacific people can lead free, healthy, and
Today we face many challenges including the effects of climate productive lives.

Welcome by Meg Taylor DBE, Secretary General, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat

Greetings from your Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. Once again, cialist Sub-Committee on Regionalism. This
our Pacific Leaders gather to discuss how we can continue to build a year it recommends that Forum Leaders re-
strong region together. invigorate their commitment to addressing A Strong Pacific is a Resilient Pacific The Facility will aim to build resilience for Forum Members, through
We do this informed by our Blue Pacific narrative which Samoa’s non-communicable diseases in the region, upfront investment in preparedness to disasters and the impacts of climate
Prime Minister, Rt Hon Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi expressed so well with a specific focus on childhood obesity. It change, to minimise future loss of lives, displacement of people, and
A strong Blue Pacific will be one that invests in building resilience. A
at the recent Forum Foreign Ministers meeting when he said, “I see the also highlights the need for a more concert- single extreme event can undo decades of development progress. In the extensive economic losses.
Blue Pacific as a powerful narrative to call us together, drawing on our ed approach to regional advocacy around Most existing financial support for countries tends to focus on post-
shared ocean identity, ocean geography, and ocean resources. It serves ocean governance and management, par- last five years some of the strongest tropical cyclones recorded in history disaster relief and recovery. This Facility will seek to build resilience of
have impacted our region. These have caused significant destruction, loss
to empower us – reminding us of the value and potential of our region, ticularly with respect to the management of of life, and loss of livelihoods. Science predicts that we will see both rapid governments, private sector and communities to mitigate imminent risks
encouraging us to think and act from a position of strength.” high seas and maritime zones. from climate change and disasters and reduce the recovery period. Global
Climate change represents the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, Forum Leaders of Smaller Island States and slow onset hazards occurring more often into the future. We must research has shown that investment in preparedness can save significant
security and wellbeing of our people. This week Forum Leaders will look will be the first official meeting this week fol- therefore, reduce the risk of future damage and loss by building more funds in post-disaster relief and recovery. The Forum’s Economic Ministers
at how we can further strengthen our resilience to the adverse effects lowed by the Pacific members of the African resilient communities to reduce the effects of climate change and risks and Foreign Ministers approved the proposal this year and it will be looked
related to natural hazards.
it brings to so many of us. Forum Leaders will discuss a new regional Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of States. There will also be meetings Pacific Leaders have continually recognised the existential threat posed at by Forum Leaders during the Forum.
security declaration designed to refresh our existing security arrange- with the Forum’s eighteen Dialogue Partners, and representatives of the
ments. To meet both the region’s current and future security challenges, private sector and civil society on the understanding that we can only by the effects of climate change and disaster risk on our people and International Advocacy
environment. As a result, climate change and disaster risk management is
the declaration seeks to address the varied impacts of climate change achieve our development aspirations by working together. There is also significant work being done internationally to ensure that
as well as emerging issues including cyber security and transnational I look forward to welcoming all Pacific Forum Members and their del- a standing agenda item at each meeting of Pacific Islands Forum Leaders. the region’s priorities for global action to support the Paris Agreement on
The Forum is currently involved in several initiatives designed to address
crime. egations. In particular, I very much look forward to the frank discussions, some of the most pressing concerns for the region. addressing climate change are heard. The upcoming 24th Conference of
The Forum continues to work towards increasing the benefits of our which Leaders have as part of their Retreat, the decision-making process the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
tuna and coastal fisheries for Pacific people and this week will provide by consensus out of which the Forum Communique is determined. (COP24) provides a strategic opportunity for a unified and amplified
an opportunity for Leaders’ to take stock of progress over the last twelve Developing Pacific Resilience ‘Pacific Voice’ calling for ambitious action to achieve the measures called
months. May God bless the Blue Pacific; Itûba tubwa kor. In 2016, the Pacific Leaders endorsed the Framework for Resilient for in the Paris Agreement Work Programme, the Talanoa Dialogue aiming
Also for discussion will be the Report prepared by the Forum’s Spe- Development in the Pacific. The Framework is a first for any region in the for higher climate ambition and the urgency of Pre-2020 actions.
world, in that it provides an integrated approach to addressing climate
change, disaster risk management, and low carbon development as key
The Pacific Islands Forum considerations for building resilient development. It recognises that Why tuna fisheries are vital to our Blue
collective action and regional approaches provide opportunities for Forum
Members to benefit from reducing duplication, economies of scale, as well Continent
For almost five decades, the countries of the Pacific have addressed healthy, and productive lives. as shared capacity, information and experiences.
common interests through a variety of regional approaches. The motiva- The Pacific Islands Forum works to achieve this by fostering coopera- To bring the Framework to life, Forum Leaders established a Pacific The fish that thrive in our waters have a large part to play in building a
tion for this is simple: we know that we can achieve more together, than tion between governments, collaboration with regional and international Resilience Partnership. The main mechanism is a 15-member Taskforce strong Pacific. Shared stewardship of the Pacific Ocean and maintaining
alone. agencies, and by representing the interests of its members. made up of representatives from member governments, development regional solidarity as one “Blue Pacific” will ensure this resource continues
The Pacific Islands Forum is the region’s premier political and eco- The Forum is guided by the Framework for Pacific Regionalism, which partners, private sector and civil society. It met for the first time in May this to make a significant contribution to the sustainable development of our
nomic policy organisation. calls for a renewed commitment to working together as one region, and year. A key outcome was to identify criteria for aligning the principles of the people.
Founded in 1971, it comprises 18 members: Australia, Cook Islands, driven by the “Blue Pacific” identity. Framework with resilience initiatives already underway in the region. For decades, we have been successful in managing our fisheries and
Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, The Blue Pacific puts Pacific people at the centre of the region’s devel- Funding our work for a more resilient region is an ongoing issue. While have surpassed other regions of the world in terms of sustainable practice.
New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Repub- opment aspirations. there are currently a range of climate and disaster risk finance products Regional cooperation on management of our tuna resources by Forum
lic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and The Blue Pacific speaks to the collective potential of the region’s shared available to Forum Members, there is nothing geared to our specific needs. Fisheries Agency (FFA) members, supported by fisheries science from
Vanuatu. stewardship of more than 35 million square kilometres of Pacific Ocean. It Through a proposed Pacific Resilience Facility, the Forum is exploring how the Oceanic Fisheries Programme of the Pacific Community (SPC), has
The Forum’s Pacific Vision is for a region of peace, harmony, security, encourages Forum Members to think and act from a position of strength the Pacific can assert greater control over development financing for the ensured that our collective efforts in managing the four main tuna species
social inclusion and prosperity, so that all Pacific people can lead free, for the benefit of all Pacific people, and their natural environment. region in the face of ongoing climate and disaster risk. – skipjack, bigeye, albacore, yellowfin - are paying off, with all currently

Islands Business,August 2018 17