Opening Remarks - Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka and Forum Chair Representative at the 6th Korea - Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers Meeting.
9 December 2025. Seoul, Republic of Korea
His Excellency Hyun Cho, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea
His Excellency Alcide Ponga, President of the Government of New Caledonia
The Honourable Dalton Talagi, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Niue
Honourable Ministers and Heads of Delegations from the Pacific Islands Forum
Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen
Annyeong Hashimnikka, Halo and warm greetings from the peoples of the Pacific.
It is both an honour and a privilege to address this distinguished gathering today, in Solomon Islands role as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum as well as co-chair of this meeting.
I extend our deep appreciation to the Republic of Korea for hosting this important 6th Korea-Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
For the Pacific Islands Forum, the changing geostrategic environment has compelled us not to leave our development aspirations to chance. In this respect, our 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent provides the blueprint for how we can work together to achieve our vision for a region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion and prosperity.
A region where Pacific people can lead free, healthy, and productive lives. Achieving our 2050 vision requires “genuine and long-lasting partnerships”.
It requires our partners to understand our operating context, and work within our mechanisms and systems. Most importantly, it requires our partners to align to our priorities.
Our meeting today is an opportunity to further strengthen our collaboration in the context of implementing our 2050 Strategy.
We invite the Republic of Korea to continue to align its development and engagement strategies with the 2050 Strategy, ensuring our efforts remain united and responsive to Pacific needs.
We value the growing Republic of Korea-Pacific Islands Forum Cooperation Fund and its potential to advance priorities like climate resilience, maritime sustainability, and economic growth. Aligning these investments with the 2050 Strategy will create a lasting, transformative legacy for our Blue Pacific.
The Pacific Islands Forum is committed to working with Korea to build a resilient future for our region. I look forward to deepening our friendship and cooperation.
Tangio tumas, and thank you.
[ENDS]
