Forum Secretary General, Baron Waqa has confirmed that the Forum Troika Plus delegation will visit New Caledonia in October to assess the escalating political situation in the French territory.
The mission, which has strong backing from French President Emmanuel Macron, aims to promote dialogue and address the growing tensions on the ground.
“In terms of the new political issues in the region, Forum Leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to the Troika Mission to New Caledonia,” Waqa said, adding that discussions are ongoing with both the New Caledonian government and France.
“The earliest opportunity for that visit will be in October,” he confirmed.
The Troika Plus delegation will include Forum Chair and Tongan Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku, Siaosi Sovaleni, past chair Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, incoming Forum Chair Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, and Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
The mission was originally scheduled for last month but was postponed just before the 53rd Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga to allow time to address concerns raised by the New Caledonian government.
“The New Caledonia issue – yes, it will go on,” SG Waqa said. “Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka will be part of the team.
Waqa also touched on other regional matters, including West Papua.
“Leaders continue to maintain a watching brief on this issue and look forward to strengthening engagement with Indonesia through special envoys in the near future,” he said.
In addition to the New Caledonia mission, Waqa revealed that the Forum will also deploy a mission to the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to assess its application for Associate Membership.
