Latest news with #BaronWaqa
RNZ News
25-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
‘Preferred partner': Baron Waqa calls for stronger US commitment
By 'Alakihihifo Vailala , PMN Pacific Islands Forum SG Baron Waqa, left, and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met in Wellington last week. Photo: Facebook / Christopher Luxon Baron Waqa, the secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum, says the United States continues to be the region's partner of choice, but adds that there is a need for greater involvement from Washington on crucial issues like climate change. Waqa reassures Pacific communities and international partners that regional leaders are more united and determined than ever, despite recent diplomatic tensions involving New Zealand, Kiribati, and the Cook Islands. During his official visit to New Zealand this week, Waqa gave an exclusive interview to PMN News . He described current disagreements between Forum members as natural and healthy. "It's not uncommon," Waqa says. "We've had in the past many rifts, they just don't see things eye-to-eye, but that's quite healthy, there's a show of maturity in our family. "But at the end of the day, there's still that respect for each other as members of this bigger, greater foreign family, which is good." Waqa's comments come in light of New Zealand's cancellation of its $102 million development programme with Kiribati and the lack of consultation from the Cook Islands over a comprehensive partnership agreement signed earlier this year with China. "The forum stands ready to assist if there's any real concern there by anyone and wanting our assistance to mediate them," the former Nauruan President says, adding that no official request has been made as yet. Waqa also met with NZ Deputy PM Winston Peters during his official visit to New Zealand. Photo: X / Winston Peters Waqa reflects on recent meetings with international partners, including discussions with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. "The partnership between the United States and the Pacific is very, very important, and that's what we're hearing from them as well," Waqa says. "That is, I think, the most important for the Pacific because we want to engage with America, with the United States and they are our preferred partner." He says that despite disagreements on issues like climate change, the need for more US involvement in the Pacific is vital to changing perspectives. "That means we can continue to discuss our concerns, our vulnerability. We have to present it to them so they understand. "No, I'm not too concerned because we have to respect them; they just came out of a big election, a big win for them, so no, we can discuss climate issues with them, why not, why not." Waqa also addresses ongoing discussions about visa-free travel between Pacific nations and New Zealand. "We know very well that New Zealand decide for themselves, but we always ask them and we're always putting it to them to consider having some kind of a reciprocal arrangement with the rest of us." Looking ahead to the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Meeting in the Solomon Islands, Waqa emphasises that Pacific leaders are focused on asserting the region's collective priorities, particularly climate change, economic resilience, and the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF). He says United Nations Secretary General António Guterres has been invited to attend this year's meeting. "They'll probably be sending some senior officials as well, but he'll be in the Pacific then. He's intending to attend some important programmes, but we would like to coordinate and see how well we can fit him into our own programme, the PIF leaders." -This article was first published by PMN .
RNZ News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Kiribati reassures it's part of Pacific family
acific Islands Forum secretary general Baron Waqa, left, and Kiribati President Taneti Maamau in Tarawa. Photo: Pacific Islands Forum Kiribati has reaffirmed its commitment to Pacific regionalism during consultations with the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) secretary general. Baron Waqa has wrapped up what he called a "successful high-level" visit to the capital Tarawa. In a statement, Waqa acknowledged Kiribati's continued leadership and reengagement at the regional level, "especially amidst the current geopolitical environment". Kiribati rejoined the inter-governmental organisation in early 2023 after withdrawing in 2022. President Taneti Maamau refused to attend the annual Leaders' gathering in Suva that year, due to what he claimed was failure by the PIF to address concerns of equity, equality and inclusiveness in a number of key decisions, including the appointment of the current secretary General. Kiribati's withdrawal was touted as a sign of ongoing tensions within the regional group. Now, Maamau is pleased Waqa visited his country, saying being "on the ground" is key to understanding the extent of the country's realities. Waqa missed the University of the South Pacific (USP) Council meeting in Auckland on Tuesday for a meeting with Australia's Penny Wong. He is expected to travel to New Zealand this week to meet with the government. The PIF team also conducted a workshop with representatives from government ministries, to present on the work the Secretariat is doing in different sectors, and welcomed more collaboration when working towards regional goals. Workshop participants included representatives from the Ministry of Women, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Development. Waqa's visit comes after issue was raised earlier this year over who New Zealand's foreign minister, Winston Peters, would speak with on his planned trip to Kiribati. Taneti Maamau's inauguration ceremony on 24 June 2020 at the Parliament House in Ambo. Maamau, from the Island of Onotoa, had been re-elected after completing his first term in office from 2016 to 2020. Photo: Facebook / Office of Te Beretitenti Peters wanted Mamau because that was who he had arranged to meet with in the first place, while Mamau had delegated the role of talks to another minister, a move Kiribati maintained was in line with protocol. Australia had accepted that position not long before. The Kiribati government also stated the "New Zealand government cancelled its own proposed visit" . "New Zealand was advised that the president was still on the outer islands in the southern part of the Gilbert group attending a national commitment and will not be in Tarawa on the proposed dates." Winston Peters announced that New Zealand's government would rethink development support to the country saying the President withdrew a week before a planned visit. A New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson later confirmed it had decided against cutting assistance to Kiribati. However, they said in April the findings of the review will not be released for now.
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Pasifika Futures Forum Opens In Suva: Navigating A Bold Vision For The Blue Pacific
Press Release – UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji The broader Pasifika Futures Initiative aims to strengthen inquiry into how strategic foresight and Pacific wisdom can work together to build more equitable, resilient development partnerships. 13 May 2025 Suva, Fiji: The inaugural Pasifika Futures Forum officially opened today at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, bringing together over 150 Pacific Island leaders, policymakers, traditional knowledge holders, youth, disability advocates, and development partners from across the Pacific region. Hosted by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office in Fiji – with the generous support of the Government of Australia – the Forum will explore and shape long-term pathways for a resilient, sustainable, and inclusive Blue Pacific Continent. The Forum follows the launch of the Pasifika Futures Report, a Pacific-led foresight publication that builds on the foundations laid by the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and the groundbreaking work undertaken by the Pacific Community (SPC). Drawing from Pacific epistemologies and contemporary foresight tools, the report highlights 10 emerging themes – from ocean governance and climate security to technological change and intergenerational decision-making. Baron Waqa, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, opened the event and said: 'Our Blue Pacific Continent is the ocean that connects us through our shared culture, diversity, common challenges, and unique vulnerabilities. We must be vigilant of the emerging trends and signals, as our role is to build a region that thrives in unity and resilience.' Munkhtuya Altangerel, UNDP Resident Representative for the Pacific Office in Fiji, in her opening remarks, said that the forum comes on the back of decades of work across the Pacific community: 'We stand today on the shoulders of remarkable regional leadership: the foresight of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, the pioneering tools of the Pacific Community, and the shared vision laid out in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. The future therefore is not something we wait for; it is something we build together.' Over the next two days, the Forum will host a series of talanoa centred on identity, agency, and adaptive leadership in the face of accelerating global change. Guided by the Pacific concept of wayfinding, the Forum will invite participants to explore how Pacific knowledge systems – grounded in interdependence and connection to place – can guide development thinking and practice in new directions. The broader Pasifika Futures Initiative aims to strengthen inquiry into how strategic foresight and Pacific wisdom can work together to build more equitable, resilient development partnerships. The Pasifika Futures Forum will be staged on 13 May at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, and conclude on 14 May at the Grand Pacific Hotel.
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Pasifika Futures Forum Opens In Suva: Navigating A Bold Vision For The Blue Pacific
Press Release – UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji The broader Pasifika Futures Initiative aims to strengthen inquiry into how strategic foresight and Pacific wisdom can work together to build more equitable, resilient development partnerships. 13 May 2025 Suva, Fiji: The inaugural Pasifika Futures Forum officially opened today at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, bringing together over 150 Pacific Island leaders, policymakers, traditional knowledge holders, youth, disability advocates, and development partners from across the Pacific region. Hosted by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office in Fiji – with the generous support of the Government of Australia – the Forum will explore and shape long-term pathways for a resilient, sustainable, and inclusive Blue Pacific Continent. The Forum follows the launch of the Pasifika Futures Report, a Pacific-led foresight publication that builds on the foundations laid by the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and the groundbreaking work undertaken by the Pacific Community (SPC). Drawing from Pacific epistemologies and contemporary foresight tools, the report highlights 10 emerging themes – from ocean governance and climate security to technological change and intergenerational decision-making. Baron Waqa, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, opened the event and said: 'Our Blue Pacific Continent is the ocean that connects us through our shared culture, diversity, common challenges, and unique vulnerabilities. We must be vigilant of the emerging trends and signals, as our role is to build a region that thrives in unity and resilience.' Munkhtuya Altangerel, UNDP Resident Representative for the Pacific Office in Fiji, in her opening remarks, said that the forum comes on the back of decades of work across the Pacific community: 'We stand today on the shoulders of remarkable regional leadership: the foresight of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, the pioneering tools of the Pacific Community, and the shared vision laid out in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. The future therefore is not something we wait for; it is something we build together.' Over the next two days, the Forum will host a series of talanoa centred on identity, agency, and adaptive leadership in the face of accelerating global change. Guided by the Pacific concept of wayfinding, the Forum will invite participants to explore how Pacific knowledge systems – grounded in interdependence and connection to place – can guide development thinking and practice in new directions. The broader Pasifika Futures Initiative aims to strengthen inquiry into how strategic foresight and Pacific wisdom can work together to build more equitable, resilient development partnerships. The Pasifika Futures Forum will be staged on 13 May at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, and conclude on 14 May at the Grand Pacific Hotel.
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Pasifika Futures Forum Opens In Suva: Navigating A Bold Vision For The Blue Pacific
13 May 2025 Suva, Fiji: The inaugural Pasifika Futures Forum officially opened today at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, bringing together over 150 Pacific Island leaders, policymakers, traditional knowledge holders, youth, disability advocates, and development partners from across the Pacific region. Hosted by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office in Fiji – with the generous support of the Government of Australia – the Forum will explore and shape long-term pathways for a resilient, sustainable, and inclusive Blue Pacific Continent. The Forum follows the launch of the Pasifika Futures Report, a Pacific-led foresight publication that builds on the foundations laid by the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and the groundbreaking work undertaken by the Pacific Community (SPC). Drawing from Pacific epistemologies and contemporary foresight tools, the report highlights 10 emerging themes – from ocean governance and climate security to technological change and intergenerational decision-making. Baron Waqa, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, opened the event and said: 'Our Blue Pacific Continent is the ocean that connects us through our shared culture, diversity, common challenges, and unique vulnerabilities. We must be vigilant of the emerging trends and signals, as our role is to build a region that thrives in unity and resilience.' Munkhtuya Altangerel, UNDP Resident Representative for the Pacific Office in Fiji, in her opening remarks, said that the forum comes on the back of decades of work across the Pacific community: 'We stand today on the shoulders of remarkable regional leadership: the foresight of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, the pioneering tools of the Pacific Community, and the shared vision laid out in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. The future therefore is not something we wait for; it is something we build together.' Over the next two days, the Forum will host a series of talanoa centred on identity, agency, and adaptive leadership in the face of accelerating global change. Guided by the Pacific concept of wayfinding, the Forum will invite participants to explore how Pacific knowledge systems – grounded in interdependence and connection to place – can guide development thinking and practice in new directions. The broader Pasifika Futures Initiative aims to strengthen inquiry into how strategic foresight and Pacific wisdom can work together to build more equitable, resilient development partnerships. The Pasifika Futures Forum will be staged on 13 May at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, and conclude on 14 May at the Grand Pacific Hotel.
