BY NED GAGAHE
Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretary General Baron Divavesi Waqa has congratulated Kiribati President Taneti Maamau on assuming the Chairmanship of the Smaller Island States (SIS), reaffirming the Forum Secretariat’s unwavering support for the region’s most vulnerable members.
Speaking at the official opening of the SIS meeting held yesterday at the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) headquarters in Honiara, Secretary General Waqa joined regional leaders in welcoming President Maamau’s leadership at a critical juncture for the SIS grouping.
“At the outset, allow me to thank you, Mr Chair, for your welcome remarks, and to congratulate you on assuming the Chairmanship of the Smaller Island States,” he said.
Secretary General Waqa emphasised that the Smaller Island States group continues to hold a “special place” within the Pacific Islands Forum, describing it as a “political expression of solidarity” among the region’s smallest and most vulnerable nations.
“It is a reminder that our regional architecture must serve all equally—especially those with the least capacity but the greatest need,” he said.
He stated that senior SIS officials had met in Suva last month to prepare for the current discussions, offering key guidance to leaders.
He then outlined the three main agenda items shaping the SIS meeting:

1. Review of the SIS Group and Strategy – with a focus on refining key priorities moving forward.
2. Expression of Interest from the Government of Tonga – regarding SIS membership, underscoring the importance of inclusivity.
3. Revitalisation of the SIS Development Fund – aimed at enhancing self-reliance and boosting visibility of the SIS group.
   “These are not just administrative matters,” Waqa stressed. “Each item touches the core of how SIS members will organise, advocate, and lead in the years to come.”
   He highlighted the importance of embedding SIS priorities within the broader 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, and ensuring that regional partners respond in ways that reflect the distinct circumstances of SIS members.
   “As your Secretary General, I am committed to ensuring that the Secretariat stands firmly behind you in this effort,” Waqa assured. “We will continue to provide technical support, policy advice, and create political space for your voices to be elevated and your decisions acted upon.”
   In conclusion, Waqa thanked President Maamau once again for his leadership and wished SIS leaders every success in their deliberations.
   The SIS meeting is a key part of the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting, which continues this week in Honiara, culminating in the Leaders’ Retreat in Noro, Western Province.

BY LORETTA B MANELE
The former Small Island States (SIS) Chair, His Excellency, President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Wesley Simina is pleased with the recent priority actions SIS has identified this year.
He spoke about this at the 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Small Island States Leaders Meeting at FFA (Forum Fisheries Agency) in Honiara on Monday, September 8, 2025.
In initial remarks, the former SIS Chair expressed that it has been an honour for them to serve as Chair in the last y ear.
“It has been an honour for the Federated States of Micronesia to serve as Chair of the Smaller Island States grouping over the last year,” he said.
Moreover, Simina stressed that he his pleased that officials have worked together this year to identify and streamline four priority actions for the SIS that will form the focus of their advocacy and mainstreaming as the SIS across existing regional mechanisms and processes.
“Indeed, the securing of reliable air and sea transport, advancing fisheries development, strengthening regional procurement and health workforce mechanisms, and enhancing access to climate finance are not abstract issues – they are the realities that we contend with on a daily basis,” he said.
Simina stated that although few in numbers, SIS embodies the challenges we experience as a region which is the stark reality of climate change, the challenges of connectivity and the tests of economic viability.
He mentioned that for Federated States of Micronesia, these realities are lived everyday.
“Our nation is vast in ocean yet scattered in islands, facing the high costs of distance, limited connectivity, and extreme exposure to climate change.
“Our remoteness and vulnerability are not signs of weakness, but enduring reminders of why the SIS must continue to stand together. Our grouping reminds the region that the measure of Pacific solidarity lies not in averages, but in our ability to elevate the most vulnerable among us,” said Simina.

BY LORETTA B MANELE
Strategically, we must now look to the future, says outgoing Chair of Small Island States (SIS) and President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) His Excellency, Wesley Simina.
He expressed the sentiment whilst delivering remarks at the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) “Small Island States Leaders Meeting” at FFA on Monday, September 8, 2025.
Simina emphasised that strategically, they must now look to the future as the task ahead is to consolidate the SIS Development Fund so that their priorities are not only acknowledged but financed.
“We must also continue to demand that regional and international partnerships recognise our realities — small in scale, but vast in ocean, culture, and resilience,” he added.
Simina also highlighted the theme for the 54th PIF Leaders Meeting ““Iumi Tugeda: Act Now for An Integrated Blue Pacific Continent”.
He said the theme carries a particular resonance for the Small Island States.
“For us, “acting now” should not be a mere slogan but an imperative of survival.
“Similarly, “integration” means a regional system that does not leave anyone behind but recognises that the strength of our Blue Pacific lies in the inclusion of its most vulnerable,” said Simina.
In further remarks, he stated that as FSM concludes in terms of being the Chair of SIS, he extends his gratitude to fellow leaders for their solidarity.
“Leadership in our Blue Pacific is shared — and it is through this collective approach that SIS will continue to transform vulnerabilities into opportunities for our peoples.
“I seek the meetings support for our colleague, President Maamau of Kiribati to assume the Chair of this 2025 SIS Leaders Meeting,” he said.

BY LORETTA B MANELE
Solomon Islands now takes on the leadership of the Pacific ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) Chair from former chair, the Kingdom of Tonga.
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele welcomed regionals leaders to the 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting on Monday, September 8, 2025, at FFA headquarter, Honiara.
Speaking at PIF’s second meeting of the day “Pacific ACP Leaders Meeting”, he said it is an honour and privilege to host the Pacific ACP Leaders here in Honiara.
Manele also took the opportunity to acknowledge the former Pacific ACP Chair for their leadership.
“I also wish to acknowledge the Kingdom of Tonga, our outgoing Pacific ACP Chair, for their leadership and support in our work and engagement as Pacific ACP States. Under Tonga’s stewardship, further significant progress in realising our collective priorities was made,” he said.
Manele went on to state that the signing of the Samoa Agreement in 2023 set a renewed framework with our European partners and they have advanced Pacific climate diplomacy at COP28 and COP29, ensuring our survival agenda remained at the heart of global discussions.
“These are the legacies of our Forum Leaders’ collective wisdom, all of which will serve our Blue Pacific region for generations to come,” he said.
Manele expressed that as Solomon Islands assumes the leadership of our Pacific ACP work, it will be done conscious of the responsibility that lies ahead.
“Our task is to build on this foundation and guide our collective efforts at a time when our Blue Pacific region faces heightened challenges, but also new opportunities,” he said.
Manele also highlighted that the upcoming appointment of the Pacific’s Assistant Secretary-General at the OACPS (Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States) Secretariat is a moment for PIF to stand united.
“This post will give the Pacific not only visibility, but a firmer hand in shaping decisions in Brussels that affect our region’s financing, governance, and implementation of the Samoa Agreement,” he said.
In further remarks, Manele stressed that their meeting is about more than procedures.
“It is about charting a way forward together,” he said.
The Prime Minister told fellow regional leaders that they should ensure that in their work with the OACPS and the EU, the Blue Pacific continues to speak with one voice to ensure the successful implementation of the Samoa Agreement, as well as the 2050 Strategy.
“I welcome and look forward to your continued support and assistance in our work and discussions today, and in the coming months.
“The success of our leadership and representation of our collective will is premised on the spirit of Pacific solidarity, with clarity, urgency, and unity, to assure sustainable benefits, development, and security of our Pacific people,” he said.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Prime Minister of Solomon Islands and chair of the 54th Pacific Island Forum Leaders meeting currently in Honiara has called for greater collective effort to protect the Pacific Ocean.
Speaking at a ceremony to welcome the Tepuke traditional canoe from Solomon Islands and Uto Ni Yelo canoe from Fiji, held at the Marine School yesterday, Jeremiah Manele said the voyages taken by the two canoes from Fiji and Temotu province to Honiara shows the resilience of the people.
“It is upon us to bring the political wind required to move our original canoe to our next destination.
“I’m confident that this week will generate the political strength to embrace deep originalism with open borders.
“Indeed, our collective vision for a blue pacific continent demands us to rethink how we deliver as a collective for our people and our once world.
“It is only in our unity that we can propel our voyage forward in the face of the mounting challenges and opportunities,” he said.
Manele added that the identity of the Pacific with the ocean is currently challenged by the three planetary crises of climate change, pollution and the loss of biodiversity.
He added as custodians of 30 percent of the planet’s surface, people in the Pacific have a moral obligation to protect the lifeblood of the planetary system.
“As stewards of the ocean let us respond decisively that Pacific must lead, drive and own its own agenda on climate, ocean stewardship and regional solidarity.
“The message of our voyages to sustainably manage the ocean is here and will remain on our original agenda as we amplify our voices on international platforms.
“We have done it in the past with the successful inclusion of the SDG14 in the UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development as well as our pivotal role in the global recognition of the 200 nautical miles economic exclusive zone under the UN convention on the law of the sea.
“We must not be complacent. We must continue to strive for more actions to keep our region stable, nuclear free and peaceful,” Manele said.
The PM stressed that the future generation depends on it and the ocean connects all Pacific countries not just regionally but globally.
“We must therefore ensure that we forge strategic partnerships to be able to effectively and efficiently implement our national, regional and international ocean policies to safeguard the health of our oceans,” he said.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has warmly welcomed the Tepuke and Uto ni Yalo upon their arrival at the Marine School, Ranadi Solomon Islands National University (SINU) campus.
The arrival ceremony yesterday [Monday, September 8] was witnessed by the Pacific Islands Forum leaders together with their delegates who are in the country for the 54th PIF meeting, Government officials and members of the public.
“I’m honoured to be joined here by the Pacific leaders in paying tribute to our sons and daughters who brave the vast Pacific Ocean and sail the Tepuke and the N’Koniyaro. Congratulations and welcome once all of our voyagers. We thank God for your safe arrival,” said PM Manele.
He said that the presence of the TePuke and the Uto ni Yalo represents the richness of the diverse Pacific culture and demonstrates its intricate connection to the ocean.

“We honour the intergenerational crew who sail these times, elders, experienced navigators, young men and women standing together as living proof that our ancestral knowledge is being handed down and renewed for the future of our Pacific,” he said.
He said that the skills of constructing ocean-going canoes, the wisdom of reading the stars and currents, understanding weather patterns and marine ecosystems are lived experiences that define pacific Islands relationship with the ocean.
“It is evident that the ocean remains our past, present and future. We also acknowledge the transfer of indigenous knowledge of our forefathers passed down from generation to generation in chants, songs and dances as we have witnessed earlier today. The ceremonies we shared this afternoon speak powerfully of this truth,” he said.

“Their sails carry the stories of our stories of the ocean. Their hounds hold the hopes of our children and their journey strengthens our collective resolve to safeguard the blue pacific. We remain committed to taking this message to our international communities through including through the United Nations General Assembly and the conference of the parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,” said PM Manele.

BY LORETTA B MANELE
As the 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Meeting commences on Monday, September 8, 2025 so does the Spouses Programme which will end on Wednesday this week.
Leading the programme is Madame Jocelyn Manele, wife of Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.
Island Sun understands that the programme includes spouses of leaders from countries namely; Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Tuvalu, Cook Islands and Nauru.
The first day started off with a visit to Art Gallery where they had the opportunity to look at different traditionally made accessories, arts and culture exhibitions.
They were also presented with traditional gifts from Madame Manele.

According to their schedule, later on in the day (Monday, September 8), they will be accompanying their spouses at the opening ceremony of the 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) at the national stadium.
Highlights of the programme for today, Tuesday (September 9) includes a visit to Tenaru and another visit to the Amazing Grace Boutique Cocoa Farm.
Meanwhile, for the final day of the programme, tomorrow, Wednesday, September 10, they are set to visit St Joseph’s National Secondary School and later, Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands.