Welcome Remarks delivered by the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Baron Waqa
At the opening of the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Week 2025
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Suva, Fiji.
Esteemed Senior Officials and Colleagues,
Bula Vinaka and a warm welcome to the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Week here at your Forum Secretariat.
As we gather, we acknowledge that 2025 is a pivotal year for advancing gender equality and social inclusion. This marks 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action, a moment to celebrate our successes and to reaffirm our commitment to the empowerment of women and girls across our diverse communities.
We will also be reviewing the Pacific Framework for Persons with Disability and hosting the inaugural Child Wellbeing Summit in partnership with UNICEF later this month—both vital initiatives that underscore our collective responsibility.
Your work at the national level is instrumental in forging sustainable, equitable, and inclusive communities throughout the Pacific. Together, we have the remarkable opportunity to unlock the potential of all Pacific peoples, bringing our 2050 Vision to fruition and ensuring that every individual has the chance to thrive.
Your steadfast commitment is not only vital for the well-being of our communities but also key to realising the inspiring vision of our Forum Leaders—a peaceful, resilient Pacific.
This week offers a chance for collaboration among our gender, disability, and climate focal points, recognising the interconnectedness of these issues.
As we navigate global and regional processes, let us leverage this opportunity to enhance our collective efforts, ensuring that our priorities are effectively represented. I therefore encourage you to engage actively, so we can present a strong, united voice for the Pacific, at all levels of discourse.
With those few remarks, I wish you productive discussions and preparations ahead. Thank you for your continued commitment to empowering women and girls in all their diversity of the Blue Pacific.
Thank you and God bless you all.
[ENDS]
