REMARKS: Prime Minister Mark Brown at the Third Meeting of the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting and Governors

Excellency’s, Honourable Leaders, Governors, Parliamentarians, and distinguished guests, 
Kia Orana, konnichiwa, and good afternoon to you all.

As this is Day 1 of our PALM10 meetings, I first wish to thank the Government  and people of Japan for the warm hospitality that has already been extended to the Pacific, and which will no doubt continue over the next few days. In particular, I extend appreciation and congratulations to the Chair of the PALM&G, Honourable Seiji Hamada, Governor of Kochi prefecture, and also express gratitude to the Governors here from Fukushima and Fukuoka, as well as representatives from the other member prefectures. It is my absolute privilege to address you today as Prime Minister of the Cook Islands and as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum. 

At the regional level, we acknowledge the unique nature of this gathering, where 16 Local Governments of Japan can engage in close dialogue with Pacific Island Countries, strengthening our relationship with Japan in an innovative and targeted way, at the most fundamental level – the people to people level. People-centred Development is also a priority area of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. As Pacific people, we treasure our heritage, which is the foundation of our identity. We draw inspiration from our diversity, faith, cultures, and traditions, and hold deep connection to the land and ocean and all that live in it. Indeed, your prefectures have more in common with our islands than many would think – from the vibrant reefs of Okinawa, to the famous skipjack tuna in Kochi, and to the overall love of seafood in every prefecture!

At the national level, the Cook Islands and Japan have been firm friends for a long time, and formal partners since 2011, when we established diplomatic relations. Before and during this time, we have collaborated with the Government of Japan across many fora. However, we are yet to have the pleasure of working directly with Local Governments. Our experiences in engaging with local governments in other countries has demonstrated the incredible value and effectiveness of such a relationship, one that is well suited to unique nature of PIC’s.  We are therefore very keen to explore ways that those of us Pacific Island Countries without representation in Tokyo can collaborate with you all, as well as strengthen those relationships that already exist, so that we may leverage the unique characteristics of this network to benefit our collective communities. 

Excellencies, in closing, I hope that through this meeting, we will have the opportunity to learn more about each prefecture, and in turn to share about our countries. Last, but not least – I invite all Local Governments present here to visit the Cook Islands and other Pacific Islands Forum member countries.

Kia Orana e kia manuia