STATEMENT BY THE HONOURABLE JOSAIA VOREQE BAINIMARAMA, PRIME MINISTER OF FIJI AND CHAIR OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM-(07-06-2022)

Together with the Prime Ministers of the Cook Islands and Samoa, I met with the Presidents of the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau, and the Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, in Suva from 6 - 7 June 2022, to discuss a way forward through the current political impasse in the Pacific Islands Forum.

I am also pleased that the Presidents of Nauru and Kiribati were able to hold discussions with the Members of the Micronesian Leaders that were here over the last two days.

Our two days of discussions have reaffirmed the value and importance of our talanoa in our Pacific Way, and represented an important first step towards re-uniting our Pacific family.

We established a reform package that contains commitments that deepen trust, and political cohesion across our region, and #Fiji fully supports its adoption at the next Pacific Islands Forum.

I am very pleased with the progress that has been made and the recognition shared among my fellow leaders, that our Forum Family is strongest together.

There is some more work to be done, but we are committed to seeing this resolution through and endorsing it as a collective when all Forum Leaders meet in Suva at the 51st Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting on 12 -14 July, 2022.

To conclude, let me take this time to thank all the Leaders present for their time and for the successful discussion had over the last two days.

Vinaka vakalevu, I look forward to seeing you all here in Suva in July.