REMARKS: Pacific Islands Forum Chair Hon Jeremiah Manele at Leaders Dialogue with Private Sector

· Colleague Leaders,

· Representatives of our Private Sector Organisations,

· Ladies and Gentlemen,

· Welcome to this second Leaders Dialogue for today - with critical stakeholders in our economies – the private sector.

· On behalf of my Colleague Leaders around the table this morning, I am very pleased to welcome you all to Honiara and most especially to this tok stori which has been aptly framed around three key issues: regional economic integration; strategic partnerships to address connectivity and supply chain challenges; and scaling up through collective actions focused on innovative approaches and solutions.

· It is an opportune time to meet as we now find ourselves in a time of profound uncertainty. Events far beyond our shores reverberate across our economies, tightening financial conditions, disrupting supply chains, and intensifying climate impacts.

· These shocks amplify challenges we know too well: slow growth, small and dispersed markets, high transport costs, and limited economies of scale.

· Business as usual will not suffice.

[Role of the Private Sector]

· Too often in our collective regional discussions, we forget the true value and potential that private sector perspectives can bring to our considerations at the political level.

· Indeed, you are the engine of sustainable and inclusive growth in our economies. It is through investment, trade, and innovation that the private sector is a key enabler of deeper regional integration.

· In short, the private sector is at the heart of our region’s economic potential and transformation.

· The challenge now lies in bridging our political aspirations around the table with your practical implementation traits, to drive sustainable development in our region and for our people.

[Leaders Dialogue with the Private Sector]

· Today’s dialogue offers us, as Leaders, a valuable opportunity to listen — to hear directly from you, the private sector — on the challenges and opportunities you face across integration, partnerships, and collective delivery.

· Time and again, we hear the call for stronger cross-sectoral synergies, for deeper integration both within and across industries, and for enabling environments that allow businesses to grow and thrive.

· These are not abstract ideas, but practical imperatives for the future of our region.

· What is clear to us is this: if we act together with purpose and resolve, the Blue Pacific can turn its vulnerabilities into strengths, creating opportunities, generating jobs, and building lasting resilience for all our people.

· With these words, I invite us to begin today’s exchange with openness, candour, and the spirit of solidarity that defines our Blue Pacific Continent.

· I now invite the Secretary General to deliver his remarks.