Fiji participated at the Twelfth Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders (PICL), this week in Honolulu, Hawaii from 12-14 September, 2022.
The Fijian delegation was led by the Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, Faiyaz Koya.
The PICL was organised by the Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP) and provided an opportunity for the Pacific Leaders to discuss critical issues of concern for the Blue Pacific region.The PICL was established in 1980 by Fiji’s then Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara and Hawai’i Governor, George Ariyoshi.Minister Koya stressed that this role is especially important now that Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders have endorsed the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent which sets out Pacific’s vision and charts the region’s future.In his remarks, Minister Koya said the meeting reiterated the importance of regional unity and solidarity in overcoming the multifaceted challenges; and whilst the challenges seem insurmountable, there are also many opportunities with untapped potential across the vast Oceanic region.He reaffirmed Fiji’s solidarity with the region in working together to accelerate the economic recovery and nurture partnerships which builds resilient and sustainable future for the Pacific people.
He said Fiji appreciates the role PIDP plays in strengthening regional cooperation between the United States and the Pacific.These issues included climate change, COVID-19 economic recovery, oceans, nuclear legacies, information and communication technologies and regional security, amongst others.
