Nations represented at the US-Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Dialogue in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, this week have reaffirmed their commitment to address issues of conflict and promote nuclear non-proliferation in the region.
This, according to a joint statement issued by Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) yesterday after a meeting on Monday.
While acknowledging the nuclear legacy of the Cold War, PIF also stated that the nations remained committed to addressing the Republic of the Marshall Islands’ ongoing environmental, public health concerns, and other welfare concerns.
“We are committed to bolstering Pacific regionalism, with a strong and united Pacific Islands Forum at its centre,” the joint statement highlighted.
“We will continue to work together to tackle shared challenges such as the climate crisis, to advance inclusive economic growth and social equity for the people of the Pacific and to jointly advocate on shared priorities.
“We support the vision of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and recognise its centrality in the strengthening of partnership between the United States and the Pacific Islands Forum.
“This meeting builds on three decades of close co-operation between the United States and the Pacific Islands Forum and we look forward to the second US– Pacific Islands Forum Summit in 2023.”
PIF was represented at the meeting by numerous governments, including: Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
