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.
