Leaders are meeting in a plenary session this morning. Despite concerns about the number of missing faces, each country has representation at the table. Newly arrived are President David Adeang from Naoero and Prime Minister James Marape from PNG.

Kiribati and New Zealand are the only countries not to have ministerial representation at this high level meeting. Kiribati is represented by David Teaabo, who is Kiribati’s Director for Foreign Services and former Ambassador to China. New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters left Koror this morning and Prime Minister Luxon does not arrive until this evening. MFAT’s Deputy Secretary for the Pacific, Bernadette Courtney, is occupying New Zealand’s seat at the table for the plenary.

In his opening remarks, Secretary-General Baron Waqa referred to that some leaders were missing because of pressing domestic matters. He also noted that many decisions had already been reached through PIF processes including sectoral ministerial meetings and the Forum Officials Committee. 

Chair of the PIF, President Surangel Whipps Jr of Palau, encouraged leaders to use their discussions to focus on delivery for their countries and the region as a whole. He reminded them of the need for “unity of purpose” as they take their discussions forward.

In this plenary session, Leaders will hear from officials from CROP agencies such as SPC and the Forum Secretariat. They will provide updates on the progress of tasks and activities they have pursued while implementing decisions that Leaders previously made. 

The 55th PIF Leaders’ meeting is a shortened format, to accommodate President Whipps Jr who is a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. The Leaders will have their retreat tomorrow, where they will met without officials and the final communiqué will be confirmed.

Photo credit: Ohanna Rabo Galo/TMC Palau