BY CHRIS ALEX
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele officially welcomed media representatives from across the Pacific to Honiara at the opening of the Regional Media Workshop, on Friday, September 5, 2025 setting the stage for the upcoming 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting next week.
The workshop, hosted by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) in collaboration with the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) and the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI), aims to strengthen the role of media in promoting Pacific regionalism and informing communities on key issues.
Delivering the keynote address, Prime Minister Manele expressed gratitude to PIFS and PINA for their continued commitment to empowering Pacific voices through journalism.
“Hosting the Forum for the third time, after 1979 and 1992, reflects our commitment to Pacific solidarity and to the values of unity and cooperation that lie at the heart of the Pacific Way,” he said.
Reflecting on this year’s Forum theme, “Iumi Tugeda: Act Now for an Integrated Blue Pacific Continent”, the Prime Minister described it as both a celebration of Pacific identity and a call to urgent action.
“‘Iumi Tugeda’ – we are together – speaks to our identity as Pacific peoples. ‘Act Now’ – our challenges demand urgent actions. An Integrated Blue Pacific Continent – this is our shared vision of a peaceful, resilient, and future-ready Pacific,” he added.
Manele underscored the crucial role of media not just as observers but as partners in regional development, saying journalists help translate regional discussions into relatable stories for Pacific communities.
“Our people will ask: ‘What does this mean for me? For my family? For my community?’ It is through your work that those answers will be found,” he said.
He also acknowledges the challenges many Pacific journalists face, including working in under-resourced environments, and thanked them for their dedication to connecting and empowering people.
In light of the ongoing implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, the Prime Minister calls on the media to uphold ethical and balanced reporting, emphasizing that trust and visible impact will be the true measures of regional success.
“Success will not be measured by communiqués alone. It will be measured by the trust of our people and the real changes they can see and feel in their daily lives,” he said.
Closing his remarks with a metaphor of unity, Manele likened the region to a canoe navigating uncertain waters.
“The canoe of the Blue Pacific has already set sail. The waters may be uncertain, but if we paddle together, guided by our shared values and united in purpose, we will reach our destination,” he said.
The Regional Media Workshop continues in the lead-up to the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, where journalists will play a central role in ensuring regional priorities are communicated effectively to Pacific communities.
For feedback, contact:[email protected]
