Opening remarks by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Baron Waqa
at the Smaller Island States Officials Meeting
5 August 2024, Suva, Fiji.
The Chair of the Smaller Islands States Officials Meeting
Senior Officials and Representatives of the SIS Member States
Representatives of the CROP Agencies
Ladies and Gentlemen
Ekamawir omo!
It is a great honour to be with you at this 2024 session of the Smaller Islands States Officials Meeting.
At the outset, allow me to recognise and commend the Government and the people of the Cook Islands on the occasion of your 59th anniversary of self-governance.
Your strides as a nation, is a testament to the resolve and determination of your people – congratulations.
Excellencies and Senior Officials,
This is my first SIS meeting, in my capacity as Secretary General.
The Smaller Island States Grouping has always held a special place for me.
I assure you all of my commitment, to ensure that the special requirements of the SIS are addressed in the implementation of the 2050 Strategy, as well as in the execution of the mandate of the Forum Secretariat.
There is a lot that we can do for each other. But there is even more that we can do together.
The Secretariat will be more proactive and committed to addressing the common and unique vulnerabilities and challenges of the SIS.
I believe that it is time that we look within our Blue Pacific region to bridge necessary support, where needed it will require proactive and innovative collaboration and solutions.
We need to move away from protracted discussions on policy development and turn our focus to the implementation of policies and recommendations.
This is the key message I would urge you to consider today. It is especially true as you consider the outcomes of the Smaller Islands States Review Report.
Indeed, the title of the Report holds very true – Reviving and Reconnecting the Smaller Island States: Focusing on priorities that can be addressed collectively.
I hope that the outcomes of your discussion today will lay the foundation for our SIS Leaders to revive and reconnect this very grouping when they meet in Tonga later this month.
With those few words, I wish you well in your discussion.
Tubwa kor and Vinaka Vakalevu.
[ENDS]
