By Pita Ligaiula in Koror, Palau
Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa has closed the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting with a call for Pacific unity, warning that the bonds between Forum members must remain stronger than the forces seeking to divide the region.
Wrapping up the week-long Forum meeting in Palau, Waqa said leaders were leaving Koror with renewed purpose and a strengthened commitment to work together on the region’s biggest challenges.
He said the discussions had reaffirmed the strength of Pacific regionalism and the importance of the Forum family working together despite differences among its members.
“Our sovereign choices may at times differ, but we always return to the priorities, values and relationships that unite us.
“The bonds between us as Pacific brothers and sisters must remain stronger than the forces that seek to divide us.
“This is who we are as a Forum family, and this is the spirit we must continue to protect,” Waqa said.
Waqa said leaders had demonstrated a collective determination to find Pacific solutions to Pacific challenges as they dealt with climate change, ocean stewardship, economic resilience, security, sustainable development and people-centred cooperation.
“The challenges facing our region are significant and deeply interconnected.
“Yet, throughout our generation, we have again demonstrated that the Pacific meets its challenges with courage,” he said.
Waqa said the region’s strength was not only in its diversity but also in its ability to listen, find common ground and act collectively.
“Our strength lies not only in our diversity, but in our ability to listen to one another, to find common ground and to act together in pursuit of our shared future,” he said.
He said leaders had reinforced their commitment to the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent as the region’s guiding framework for action.
Waqa said the Forum’s decisions must continue to place the hopes and aspirations of Pacific people at the centre.
The Secretary General said the Forum Secretariat stood ready to support members as they move to implement the decisions and commitments agreed by leaders.
He called on Forum members and partners to carry the momentum from Palau into practical action.
“As we leave Palau, let us carry forward the spirit and momentum created here.
“Let us champion the priorities and decisions reflected in this year’s Leaders’ Communiqué, deepen our relationships and renew our commitment to practical actions that improve the lives of our people today and for generations to come,” Waqa said.
Waqa said the Forum had again reaffirmed its responsibility to safeguard the Pacific Ocean, protect the environment, strengthen economies and advance the well-being and security of Pacific peoples.
Waqa paid tribute to Palau for hosting the 55th Forum Leaders Meeting and thanked the government and people for their hospitality.
“On behalf of the Forum family, I extend my deepest appreciation to the Government and people of Palau for the generosity, warmth and grace that you have shown,” he said.
He also paid special tribute to Tonga as it concluded its service in the Forum Troika.
“To the Government of Tonga, thank you so much for your steady duty, wise guidance and generous counsel,” Waqa said.
“Your contribution has strengthened the Troika and served our Forum family with distinction.
“We are deeply grateful, and the wisdom you have shared will remain with us.”
Waqa also welcomed New Zealand into the Forum Troika, saying the Forum looked forward to the experience, commitment and friendship it would bring to the mechanism.
The Secretary General thanked Forum leaders, regional agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, representatives of the private sector, youth and the wider Palauan community for contributing to the meeting.
He said the Forum’s work now depended on maintaining unity and turning political decisions into results for Pacific communities.
“Together, guided by our shared values and bound by our common vision, we will continue to build a stronger, more resilient and more prosperous Pacific.
“I remain confident in our Forum family, in the strength of our Pacific way and in all that we can achieve when we stand together,” Waqa said.
The 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting has ended, with the focus now shifting to implementing the decisions agreed by leaders in Palau and the commitments set out in the Forum’s 2026 Leaders’ Communiqué.
