Climate change and resilience are the top priorities for the Pacific region today, and it is time partners engaged and supported its vision and priorities.
Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) secretary general Baron Waqa made the following statement while delivering his speech at the official opening of the 53rd PIF Leaders Meeting in Tonga yesterday.
He said the Pacific region continued to be at the forefront of a battle against climate change and the centre of geopolitical interest.
Mr Waqa said the meeting emphasised the region’s resilience, particularly in the face of the 2022 volcanic eruption, highlighting the importance of addressing climate change, economic development and regional security.
“We continue to manage an evolving economic development landscape,” Mr Waqa said.
“We need to be transformative; we need to integrate resilience as a matter of priority across all policies and implementation processes, most especially in sectors that relate to our people, primarily health and education.”
He said the annual meeting of leaders would drive the region’s collective ambition in line with the vision of the 2050 strategy, aiming to ensure a strong and resilient future.
Mr Waqa said the meeting also underscored the need for transformative action, integration of resilience and vigilance on security, with a focus on securing the region’s prosperity for future generations.
“We need to take urgent action now for sustainable outcomes into the future.
“We need to remain vigilant on issues of regional security and we must ensure that these respond to national and regional needs.
“The 2050 strategy is our commitment to ensure that we will not leave our future to chance and that together, we will be stronger and resilient.”
The week will also include meetings to progress the key priority areas of Smaller Island States, and the implementation of the Samoa Agreement.
