BY NED GAGAHE
A six-member delegation from the National Parliament has returned after participating in the 5th Pacific Islands Parliamentary Group (PIPG) Conference held at the InterContinental Hotel in Natadola, Fiji, from August 26–29, 2025.
Speaker of Parliament Patteson John Oti led the delegation which included Clerk to Parliament Jefferson Hallu, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee MP Peter Kenilorea Jr, Chairman of the Environment and Conservation Committee MP George Temahua, MP Mary Daniella Garu, and Director of Committees and Secretary to the PIPG delegation Wilson Orisi.
This year’s conference was historic, marking the official transformation of PIPG into the Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Association (PIPA)—a new regional body aimed at uniting Pacific legislatures to confront common challenges.
In a statement, Parliament said the move from PIPG to PIPA represents “a bold step forward in strengthening democratic governance, fostering integration, and building resilience across the Pacific.”
Held under the theme “Pacific Islands in a Changing Global Landscape: From Challenges to Parliamentary Action”, the conference spotlighted the vulnerabilities of small island states while emphasizing the critical role of parliaments in defending sovereignty and driving collective action.
Since its inception, PIPG has provided a platform for political dialogue, peer learning, and regional solidarity.
PIPA will now carry forward this legacy with a renewed mandate to strengthen parliamentary cooperation across the region.
Kenilorea Jr reaffirmed Solomon Islands’ full support for PIPA, announcing that Parliament had unanimously approved a motion mandating Speaker Oti to sign the statutes on the country’s behalf.
“This endorsement by Parliament underscores Solomon Islands’ commitment to regional unity and democratic values,” Kenilorea said.
Speaker Oti also played a central role in shaping PIPA’s institutional framework, serving as one of five technical committee members who co-authored its foundational report.
The conference featured powerful keynote addresses from distinguished leaders and scholars, including former Kiribati President Anote Tong on parliamentary oversight and sovereignty, Ambassador Kaliopate Tavola on ocean resources and cultural assets, Dr. Tarcisius Kabutaulaka of the University of Hawai‘i on the potential of a regional parliament, Dr. Manumatavai Tupou-Roosen on embedding Pacific values in governance, and Sione Tekiteki of AUT on parliamentary cooperation amid global uncertainty.
Delegates also visited the Nacocolevu Agriculture Station in Sigatoka to observe sustainable farming innovations before concluding with the signing of the PIPA statutes and the election of the inaugural Executive Board.
Tahiti has been confirmed as the host of the first official PIPA meeting in 2026.
Earlier this month, Parliament in Honiara gave its full backing to the initiative, with a motion moved by Kenilorea Jr receiving unanimous support.
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