Opening Remarks by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Baron Waqa
at the PACP Officials Meeting
05 August 2024, Suva, Fiji.
Excellencies and Senior Official.
Ekamowir Omo, and a very good afternoon.
It is my privilege to welcome you all to this Pacific ACP Officials Meeting.
As the Pacific ACP States, you all share mutual interests and opportunities in your engagement with the European Union, and with your fellow African and Caribbean States.
It is in this context, that I congratulate you all for signing the Samoa Agreement by the 31st July deadline.
It demonstrates your unwavering commitment to this partnership.
We can now focus on ratification, implementation, and ensuring timely access to funds from the EU to operationalise the Samoa Agreement.
Broader than this, this platform provides you all with an opportunity to work together.
To discuss and develop solutions to overcome common development challenges as you strive towards achieving our 2050 aspirations.
As deliberate today, I urge you all to engage with a spirit of cooperation and open-mindedness.
Our region’s strength lies in our Pacific way of working together.
In closing, let me also extend my gratitude to the Cook Islands for their Leadership as Chair and to all of you for your support and commitment to our shared vision.
I look forward to your productive discussions and meaningful outcomes and wish you well in your deliberations today.
Thank you.
[ENDS]
