REMARKS: Pacific Islands Forum Chair, Hon. Mark Brown, at PALM10 Welcome Reception

To our generous hosts for tonight's reception, Chief Cabinet Secretary the Hon. Yoshimasa Hayashi and Mrs HAYASHI;

Fellow Honourable Pacific Islands Forum Leaders and Ministers;

Our Secretary General of the Pacific Islands, Mr Baron Waqa;

Representatives from the various Japanese Agencies present here today;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

•    Good Evening and Kia Orana.

•    Your Excellency, may I convey on behalf of our Pacific Leaders and their delegations our sincere appreciation for the tonight’s warm reception. We extend to Prime Minister Kishida, the Government and people of Japan, our deepest gratitude for the arragnements and hospitality since our arrival.

•    This 10th PALM is a celebration of our shared values and determined efforts through genuine partnerships to better support our separate and shared aspirations for a resilient region of peace, harmony, security, social enclusion and prosperity.  

•    Our PALM partnership, conceived in 1997, has pioneered the Forum’s engagement with Forum Dialogue Partners. It has also served as a guide for the Forum’s expansion of its relations with partners from beyond the Pacific.  As we reflect on our PALM journey of almost three decades, there is much to be proud of and draw inspiration from, but more remains to be done.

•    Over the deacades, a cornestone of our cooperation has been leader-led articulation of areas for co-operation and an enduring commitment to peace and security within the Blue Pacific Continent.

•    In that regard, we welcome Japan’s abiding commitment to support our endeaovurs as arituclated in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening our Kizuna ties.

•    I’m delighted to see among us tonight old friends and new, and representatives from the various Japanese entities already partnering with our people of the Pacific.  Thank you for your contributions and we look forward to working with you in the coming months to bring our shared aspirations to fruition.

•    Chief Cabinet Secretary – on a personal note, it is a pleasure to be here tonight – to share a meal and good conversation.  Your visit to the Cook Islands last year was most welcome and affirmation of Japan’s ongoing commitment to our region. As we look to the Kingdom of Tonga hosting of our 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting next month, we once more look to Japan’s leadership in high-level representation.

•    We thank you for hosting us for this welcome reception and look forward to this week’s program. In particular, we look forward to our PALM Leaders Summit on Thursday – may it serve to inspire and empower our forward efforts, striding forward together.  

•    We also look forward to experiencing the renowned delicacies and hospitality of your wonderful country and people.

•    Meitaki ma’ata and have a good evening.