REMARKS: Opening Remarks by Chair of the Pacific ACP Leaders Meeting, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele

Honourable Leaders, Secretary-General, distinguished delegates,

On behalf of the Government and People of Solomon Islands, I extend to all of you a very warm welcome to the Solomon Islands. It is an honour and privilege to host our of meeting of Pacific ACP Leaders here in Honiara.

I also wish to acknowledge the Kingdom of Tonga, our outgoing Pacific ACP Chair, for their leadership and support in our work and engagement as PACP States. Under Tonga’s stewardship, further significant progress in realising our collective priorities was made.

The signing of the Samoa Agreement in 2023 set a renewed framework with our European partners. We advanced Pacific climate diplomacy at COP28 and COP29, ensuring our survival agenda remained at the heart of global discussions. And critically, we progressed the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) — our first Pacific-owned financing mechanism for resilience. Tonga’s hosting of the PRF is an important custodian role for the first Pacific-led and owned regional climate and disaster resilience financing mechanism dedicated to Pacific communities at the front line of the climate crisis.

These are the legacies of our Forum Leaders’ collective wisdom, all of which will serve our Blue Pacific region for generations to come.

As the Solomon Islands assumes the leadership of our Pacific ACP work, we do so conscious of the responsibility before us.

Our task is to build on this foundation and guide our collective efforts at a time when our Blue Pacific region face heightened challenges, but also new opportunities.

For us, representation and influence are paramount. The upcoming appointment of the Pacific’s Assistant Secretary-General at the OACPS Secretariat is a moment for us to stand united. This post will give the Pacific not only visibility, but a firmer hand in shaping decisions in Brussels that affect our region’s financing, governance, and implementation of the Samoa Agreement.

Climate action is equally urgent. The Pacific has shown, through the Climate Champions initiative, that political advocacy can elevate our priorities on the world stage. As we approach COP30, it is essential that we empower a new cohort of Champions to carry forward our collective call for climate justice. At the same time, we must seize every opportunity in the lead-up to COP30 to advance this call and reaffirm our firm resolve to bring COP31 to our shores, in partnership with Australia. 
And while the Secretary General has rightly spoken on development financing, allow me to add this: for the Pacific, financing is not just about numbers — it is about equity, justice and  fairness.

Our people are on the frontline of climate change and global shocks. Our share of resources must reflect not only our vulnerabilities, but also our commitment to be responsible and reliable partners.

Colleagues, today’s meeting is about more than procedures. It is about charting a way forward together.

Let us ensure that in our work with the OACPS and the EU, the Blue Pacific continues to speak with one voice to ensure the successful implementation of the Samoa Agreement, as well as the 2050 Strategy.

I welcome and look forward to your continued support and assistance in our work and discussions today, and in the coming months. The success of our leadership and representation of our collective will is premised on the spirit of Pacific solidarity, with clarity, urgency, and unity, to assure sustainable benefits, development, and security of our Pacific people.

Tagio tumas, and welcome once again.