Latest news with #PacificRegionalism
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
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Pacific ‘Needs Predictability' In A ‘Changing Environment'
A Solomon Islands foreign affairs official says the 'Pacific needs predictability in all our cooperation with everyone' amid geostrategic shifts. Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific Presenter/Bulletin Editor Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders have drafted a letter to the Trump administration, addressing concerns about the United States' support in the region. Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs Ministry permanent secretary Collin Beck told RNZ Pacific that there are significant gaps between what Washington has committed to and what it has actually delivered in the region. The Biden administration promised US$200 million in new funding to the Pacific, but the money has not yet been delivered. It is one of the concerns Forum leaders may look to address with the Trump administration as well as import tariffs and millions of dollars owed by the US to fish for tuna in the Pacific Ocean. 'The world has changed…and with the United States' posture, we just need to keep talking and adapt to the changing environment,' Beck said. 'The Pacific needs predictability in all our cooperation with everyone, and it will not stop,' he said. Last week, PIF chair and Tongan Prime Minister Dr 'Aisake Eke, the incoming PIF chair and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, the Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, and Palau President Surangel Whipps – as the Micronesian representative – held their first in-person meeting this year at the Forum headquarters in Suva. Among the key issues on their agenda were the implications of the US tariffs and the Review of the Regional Architecture (RRA). The RRA is the PIF leaders' response to the increasing interest from a growing number of Forum dialogue partners wanting a seat – and influence – at the regional decision making table. The Forum Secretariat said the Troika leaders discussed the high-level political talanoa process, which will focus on political consultations with Forum leaders on strengthening Pacific regionalism, and a fit-for-purpose regional architecture. 'The Review of the Regional Architecture comes at a timely juncture and gives us the opportunity to reflect on Pacific Regionalism and what we need to do to strengthen and realise deeper regionalism in the Pacific,' Dr Eke said. 'This too will shape how we refine our regional architecture to drive the achievement of our 2050 vision.' Beck confirmed that an eminent persons group was endorsed by the PIF Troika leaders while in Fiji last week. 'There is a high-level persons group that will hold more consultation going into another phase of the review,' Beck said. Currently, both China and the US have dialogue partner status along with more than 20 other countries. 'There are dynamics that are happening that might speed the review,' Beck said. 'There is a process in which we are looking at all partners in terms of having a tiered approach in terms of engaging with all our development partners. In relation to United States support that has been suspended to a number of regional entities, Beck said, it means that 'the Pacific will need to adapt and try to also try to see how to mitigate against some of these.' 'We certainly would like to keep working with the United States in finding a solution.' Meanwhile, Solomon Islands hopes the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting will unite regional leaders in dialogue and solidarity. Solomon Islands is set to host the annual meeting in Honiara later this year. Manele said it is an opportunity to bring Pacific leaders together in the spirit of unity, dialogue, and collective action. Tavuli News reported Manele saying that Solomon Islands has submitted a proposed theme for this year's gathering, which is now being considered by the Forum Secretariat. He said Solomon Islands wants the theme to reflect the shared challenges and opportunities that bind the region. Manele said that it must speak to the strength of Pacific solidarity and the region's shared future. A national taskforce is now in place to coordinate all aspects of the event.
Scoop
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Pacific ‘Needs Predictability' In A ‘Changing Environment'
Article – RNZ A Solomon Islands foreign affairs official says the 'Pacific needs predictability in all our cooperation with everyone' amid geostrategic shifts. Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific Presenter/Bulletin Editor Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders have drafted a letter to the Trump administration, addressing concerns about the United States' support in the region. Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs Ministry permanent secretary Collin Beck told RNZ Pacific that there are significant gaps between what Washington has committed to and what it has actually delivered in the region. The Biden administration promised US$200 million in new funding to the Pacific, but the money has not yet been delivered. It is one of the concerns Forum leaders may look to address with the Trump administration as well as import tariffs and millions of dollars owed by the US to fish for tuna in the Pacific Ocean. 'The world has changed…and with the United States' posture, we just need to keep talking and adapt to the changing environment,' Beck said. 'The Pacific needs predictability in all our cooperation with everyone, and it will not stop,' he said. Last week, PIF chair and Tongan Prime Minister Dr 'Aisake Eke, the incoming PIF chair and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, the Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, and Palau President Surangel Whipps – as the Micronesian representative – held their first in-person meeting this year at the Forum headquarters in Suva. Among the key issues on their agenda were the implications of the US tariffs and the Review of the Regional Architecture (RRA). The RRA is the PIF leaders' response to the increasing interest from a growing number of Forum dialogue partners wanting a seat – and influence – at the regional decision making table. The Forum Secretariat said the Troika leaders discussed the high-level political talanoa process, which will focus on political consultations with Forum leaders on strengthening Pacific regionalism, and a fit-for-purpose regional architecture. 'The Review of the Regional Architecture comes at a timely juncture and gives us the opportunity to reflect on Pacific Regionalism and what we need to do to strengthen and realise deeper regionalism in the Pacific,' Dr Eke said. 'This too will shape how we refine our regional architecture to drive the achievement of our 2050 vision.' Beck confirmed that an eminent persons group was endorsed by the PIF Troika leaders while in Fiji last week. 'There is a high-level persons group that will hold more consultation going into another phase of the review,' Beck said. Currently, both China and the US have dialogue partner status along with more than 20 other countries. 'There are dynamics that are happening that might speed the review,' Beck said. 'There is a process in which we are looking at all partners in terms of having a tiered approach in terms of engaging with all our development partners. In relation to United States support that has been suspended to a number of regional entities, Beck said, it means that 'the Pacific will need to adapt and try to also try to see how to mitigate against some of these.' 'We certainly would like to keep working with the United States in finding a solution.' Meanwhile, Solomon Islands hopes the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting will unite regional leaders in dialogue and solidarity. Solomon Islands is set to host the annual meeting in Honiara later this year. Manele said it is an opportunity to bring Pacific leaders together in the spirit of unity, dialogue, and collective action. Tavuli News reported Manele saying that Solomon Islands has submitted a proposed theme for this year's gathering, which is now being considered by the Forum Secretariat. He said Solomon Islands wants the theme to reflect the shared challenges and opportunities that bind the region. Manele said that it must speak to the strength of Pacific solidarity and the region's shared future. A national taskforce is now in place to coordinate all aspects of the event.
Scoop
22-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Pacific 'Needs Predictability' In A 'Changing Environment'
Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific Presenter/Bulletin Editor Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders have drafted a letter to the Trump administration, addressing concerns about the United States' support in the region. Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs Ministry permanent secretary Collin Beck told RNZ Pacific that there are significant gaps between what Washington has committed to and what it has actually delivered in the region. The Biden administration promised US$200 million in new funding to the Pacific, but the money has not yet been delivered. It is one of the concerns Forum leaders may look to address with the Trump administration as well as import tariffs and millions of dollars owed by the US to fish for tuna in the Pacific Ocean. "The world has with the United States' posture, we just need to keep talking and adapt to the changing environment," Beck said. "The Pacific needs predictability in all our cooperation with everyone, and it will not stop," he said. Last week, PIF chair and Tongan Prime Minister Dr 'Aisake Eke, the incoming PIF chair and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, the Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, and Palau President Surangel Whipps - as the Micronesian representative - held their first in-person meeting this year at the Forum headquarters in Suva. Among the key issues on their agenda were the implications of the US tariffs and the Review of the Regional Architecture (RRA). The RRA is the PIF leaders' response to the increasing interest from a growing number of Forum dialogue partners wanting a seat - and influence - at the regional decision making table. The Forum Secretariat said the Troika leaders discussed the high-level political talanoa process, which will focus on political consultations with Forum leaders on strengthening Pacific regionalism, and a fit-for-purpose regional architecture. "The Review of the Regional Architecture comes at a timely juncture and gives us the opportunity to reflect on Pacific Regionalism and what we need to do to strengthen and realise deeper regionalism in the Pacific," Dr Eke said. "This too will shape how we refine our regional architecture to drive the achievement of our 2050 vision." Beck confirmed that an eminent persons group was endorsed by the PIF Troika leaders while in Fiji last week. "There is a high-level persons group that will hold more consultation going into another phase of the review," Beck said. Currently, both China and the US have dialogue partner status along with more than 20 other countries. "There are dynamics that are happening that might speed the review," Beck said. "There is a process in which we are looking at all partners in terms of having a tiered approach in terms of engaging with all our development partners. In relation to United States support that has been suspended to a number of regional entities, Beck said, it means that "the Pacific will need to adapt and try to also try to see how to mitigate against some of these." "We certainly would like to keep working with the United States in finding a solution." Meanwhile, Solomon Islands hopes the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting will unite regional leaders in dialogue and solidarity. Solomon Islands is set to host the annual meeting in Honiara later this year. Manele said it is an opportunity to bring Pacific leaders together in the spirit of unity, dialogue, and collective action. Tavuli News reported Manele saying that Solomon Islands has submitted a proposed theme for this year's gathering, which is now being considered by the Forum Secretariat. He said Solomon Islands wants the theme to reflect the shared challenges and opportunities that bind the region. Manele said that it must speak to the strength of Pacific solidarity and the region's shared future. A national taskforce is now in place to coordinate all aspects of the event.
