Vanuatu will push for stronger regional attention on West Papua and New Caledonia as Pacific leaders gather in Palau for the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting.

Minister of Climate Change Ralph Regenvanu is representing Vanuatu at the meeting, which officially begins today in Koror and runs until 4 September.

Mr Regenvanu says the two Melanesian issues will be among Vanuatu’s key priorities during discussions with Pacific leaders.

On West Papua, Vanuatu wants the issue to return to the Pacific Islands Forum agenda after it was not discussed during last month’s Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Fiji.

He says Vanuatu will work with its Melanesian Spearhead Group partners to agree on a position and push for the Forum to continue discussions on the human rights situation affecting Melanesian communities in West Papua.

On New Caledonia, Vanuatu is seeking strong regional support for the territory’s decolonisation process.

The President of the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front, or FLNKS, Christian Tein, is also in Palau as part of the Vanuatu delegation.

Mr Regenvanu says Vanuatu will work to secure a strong resolution on New Caledonia and encourage Pacific leaders to support the territory’s decolonisation within the Pacific Islands Forum.

Climate change and development financing

Climate change will also feature prominently in Vanuatu’s agenda at the Forum.

Mr Regenvanu says climate change remains one of the biggest threats facing Pacific island countries and Vanuatu will seek stronger commitments on climate action.

The discussions will also look ahead to the Pre-COP meeting in Fiji and Tuvalu in early October, where Pacific countries will seek to encourage countries from outside the region to engage with Pacific priorities.

Vanuatu will use the Forum to seek greater financial support for climate adaptation, infrastructure, education and health projects.

Mr Regenvanu says meetings with development partners and donors will be an important part of the week, including discussions with the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and other partners.

Strengthening international partnerships

As head of Vanuatu’s delegation, Mr Regenvanu is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with a range of international partners.

These include representatives from New Zealand, Australia and China, as well as European countries, France, Canada and Germany.

The discussions will focus on strengthening relationships, development projects and ensuring Vanuatu continues to benefit from support provided through its international partnerships.

The 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting brings Pacific leaders and representatives together from 31 August to 4 September to discuss regional priorities and challenges.