Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa has reaffirmed the region’s unity and presence on the world stage following the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Honiara. In a press briefing, Waqa emphasized the continued high-level engagement of Forum leaders throughout the year at significant events like COP30 and the 80th United Nations General Assembly, highlighting a consistent message from the region.
Waqa noted that this year’s Forum theme, “Iumi Tugeda: Act Now for an Integrated Blue Pacific Continent,” symbolizes both solidarity among members and the need to navigate the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. He pointed out that the Pacific is witnessing unprecedented geopolitical interest, which brings with it both opportunities and responsibilities.
With regional unity as a crucial focus, Waqa described the Pacific Islands Forum as the central political body for dialogue and collective decision-making in a highly competitive geopolitical context. He stressed the importance of maintaining strong unity, stating that the Forum’s role is to “hold the space” and ensure this unity remains intact.
Progress was reported on the Blue Pacific Vision, particularly through the Ocean of Peace Declaration, which underlines the region’s commitment to stability and cooperation. Waqa explained that this declaration reflects Pacific values and promotes security through dialogue rather than division. Efforts are now shifting towards socialization and implementation, ensuring that this commitment shapes how the region engages with external partners.
Waqa also discussed the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, which continues to guide regional initiatives in areas such as climate resilience, economic connectivity, and cooperation. The ongoing review of the regional architecture is seen as essential for improving coordination and reducing duplicate efforts while enhancing overall delivery within the regional system.
Looking to the future, Waqa indicated that the coming year will prioritize implementation and integration across the regional framework, with a commitment to climate change resilience and economic connectivity remaining at the forefront. Leaders expect the regional system to collaborate more effectively, with the Forum Secretariat playing a crucial role in ensuring that political goals translate into actionable outcomes.
On international engagement, Waqa reiterated the Pacific’s intention to engage confidently, following the 2026 Leaders’ Policy on Partnerships, ensuring that external collaborations align with regional priorities. In light of the disappointment that Australia will not host a Pacific COP next year, he welcomed Australia’s intent to collaborate closely with Turkey for COP31 and plans for a pre-COP leaders’ summit in the Pacific in 2026. This presents an opportunity to promote Pacific priorities, including the climate-ocean connection and access to climate finance, ensuring that partnerships enhance rather than undermine the region’s objectives.
Through these continuous efforts, the Pacific Islands Forum solidifies its commitment to a united and proactive future on both regional and global stages.