Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, secretary Tepaeru Herrmann, Monday opened the Smaller Island States (SIS) Officials Meeting with a call for unity and strategic action.
“At the outset, allow me to acknowledge and welcome Secretary General Baron Waqa to this – his first engagement as Secretary General with the Smaller Island States Officials Meeting.
“The region is at a pivotal point in its history,” Herrmann said.
Herrmann emphasised the importance of the long-term vision established by the SIS and the need to adapt regional systems and politics to seize emerging opportunities and tackle ongoing challenges.
“As Smaller Island States, we have embarked on and concluded a Review of this very grouping. A review that we will have a chance to collectively consider and discuss, during our engagement today,” she said.
She urged the group to define the future they envision for the SIS, stressing the need for clear expectations of themselves, the Secretariat, and the broader Pacific Islands Forum membership.
“When we engage in this SIS forum, we do so as one bloc – with a view to discussing and identifying opportunities for collective solutions to common challenges and priorities,” Herrmann said.
Throughout the meeting, the officials planned to delve into the recommendations of the SIS Review, discuss integration and implementation strategies, exchange ideas on priorities, and prepare key positions for the upcoming Forum Officials Committee meeting.
“We will also have the opportunity to caucus on a few key positions that we may wish to put forward to the Forum Officials Committee when it meets on Tuesday and Wednesday,” Herrmann said.
Forum Secretary General, Baron Waqa highlighted at the meeting the importance of unity and proactive action in the region.
“It is a great honour to be with you at this 2024 session of the Smaller Island States Officials Meeting,” Waqa said commending the Cook Islands on their 59th anniversary of self-governance.
“Your strides as a nation are a testament to the resolve and determination of your people – congratulations.”
Waqa, attending his first SIS meeting as Secretary General, expressed his deep connection to the Smaller Island States Grouping.
“I assure you all of my commitment to ensure that the special requirements of the SIS are addressed in the implementation of the 2050 Strategy, as well as in the execution of the mandate of the Forum Secretariat,” he explained.
He stressed the need for collaboration within the Blue Pacific region, urging a shift from prolonged policy discussions to the implementation of policies and recommendations.
“There is a lot that we can do for each other. But there is even more that we can do together,” SG Waqa said.
Highlighting the importance of the SIS Review Report, titled “Reviving and Reconnecting the Smaller Island States,” Waqa called for a collective focus on addressing priorities.
“I believe that it is time that we look within our Blue Pacific region to bridge necessary support. It will require proactive and innovative collaboration and solutions.
“We need to move away from protracted discussions on policy development and turn our focus to the implementation of policies and recommendations,” he said.
He expressed hope that the outcomes of the discussions would set a strong foundation for the SIS Leaders’ meeting in Tonga later this month.
“I hope that the outcomes of your discussion today will lay the foundation for our SIS Leaders to revive and reconnect this very grouping,” SG Waqa said.
