Prime Minister and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Chair, Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama joined the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Henry Puna and the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders at the Pacific Group of the African Carribbean Pacific Leaders (PACP) Meeting this morning in Suva. The meeting is the first official engagement of the Leaders as part of the 51st Pacific Island Forum Leaders meeting convened today in Suva. The PIF Chair said that, as geopolitical and partner interest in the region grows, we must be steadfast and firm in calling for a genuine partnership for regional development cooperation on our Pacific terms and in support of our regional institutions.The meeting will provide an opportunity for Leaders to discuss issues of importance to Fiji and the region; including economic recovery initiatives against the backdrop of the global COVID-19 pandemic and increased vulnerability to climate induced natural disasters. He said the 2050 Strategy sets the vision and direction for the Blue Pacific region and provides a framework for all the development partners, including the EU, to align their regional cooperation.In his opening remarks, PIFS Chair and Prime Minister Bainimarama said the 51PIFLM celebrates 50 years of Pacific regionalism and it is also setting the course for the future of our Pacific regionalism, through the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Following the PACP Meeting the Leaders convened the Blue Pacific Leaders Ocean Panel discussions. The 51st PIF Leaders Meeting is scheduled from Monday 11th to Thursday 14th July 2022. It is an opportunity for Forum Leaders to convene an in-person meeting since the last Leaders Meeting in Funafuti, Tuvalu in 2019. This year’s program is hosted by the Fijian Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum in close coordination with the PIF Secretariat. The theme for the event is, “Jubilee: Reflection, Renewal, Celebration.”PACP Meeting enabled the Leaders to discuss opportunities for partnership in shared areas of priorities and areas to strengthen cooperation in the post pandemic era.
