By Pita Ligaiula in Koror, Palau
Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa has urged Small Island States (SIS) leaders to turn decisions made last year into practical action, as Palau takes over the chairmanship of the grouping.
Addressing the Small Island States Leaders Meeting in Koror, Waqa congratulated Palau on assuming the chair and acknowledged Kiribati for its leadership over the past year.
“At the outset, allow me to congratulate Palau on achieving the chairmanship of the Small Island States and acknowledge Kiribati for its leadership over the past year,” Waqa said.
He said the matters before leaders were aimed at implementing decisions taken in 2025.
“Leaders, the work before you today gives effect to the decisions you took in 2025,” he said.
Waqa said officials had recommended modernised membership criteria for the Small Island States grouping.
“Your officials have recommended a modernised membership criteria that retains structural smallness as its foundation and preserves the collective judgement of Small Island States members,” he said.
The proposed changes are intended to provide clearer criteria while maintaining the ability of SIS members to make collective decisions about the membership and direction of the grouping.
Officials have also recommended eight areas of work to provide greater clarity under the four priorities endorsed by SIS leaders last year.
Waqa said the recommendations would provide the basis for coordinated implementation from 2027.
“They have also recommended eight areas that provide greater clarity under the four priorities endorsed last year and establish a basis for coordinated implementation in 2027,” he said.
The Forum Secretary General said the proposals were based on common principles.
“Both proposals are grounded in the same principles – member ownership, practical delivery and the use of existing regional arrangements rather than parallel structures,” Waqa said.
The emphasis on existing regional arrangements is intended to avoid creating new institutions or processes where existing mechanisms can be used to deliver agreed priorities.
Waqa said the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, foreign affairs officials and regional agencies were ready to support leaders in implementing their decisions.
“As your Secretary General, the Forum Secretariat, in partnership with CROP agencies present here today, stand ready to support the decisions you take and, in particular, the development of the 2027 implementation work plans following your endorsement,” he said.
He wished leaders success in their deliberations as they considered the recommendations and the next steps for the Small Island States grouping.
Before concluding his remarks, Waqa also congratulated Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown on his successful re-election and return as Prime Minister.
“Another congratulatory note to Prime Minister Brown of Cook Islands for a successful re-election and your appointment again as Prime Minister,” Waqa said.
The Small Island States Leaders Meeting is the first major leaders’ engagement ahead of the wider 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting being hosted by Palau in Koror.
