The Suva Agreement has been ratified by Seventeen Pacific Island Forum member countries with exception of Kiribati which pulled out of the regional body before the PIF Leadership meeting.
This agreement is the Pacific Island Forum’s commitment to keeping the regional body together.
The ratified Suva Agreement addressed the concerns raised by the Micronesian member countries that the regional body was not inclusive, that it wasn’t honoring agreements, the “gentlemen’s agreement” of rotating leadership of the organization.
According to the communique released following the 51st Pacific Islands Forum leader’s meeting whereas the Leaders expressed “sadness” over the Republic of Kiribati’s decision to withdraw from the Pacific Islands Forum, however, they welcomed Kiribati’s willingness to remain open to dialogue to promote the Forum unity and emphasize the importance of genuine consultation and engagement, including through the issuance of a collective statement.
Leaders further agreed to continue dialogue with the Republic of Kiribati between now and the Special Leaders Meeting, through the good offices of the Forum Chair and Secretary General, and explore options for closer diplomatic engagement, including through the appointment of a dedicated Special Envoy.
Leaders recognised the Suva Agreement as a political commitment to reform the Pacific Islands Forum based on the specific reform elements and timelines outlined in the Forum Chair’s Report and directed Forum Officials to commence the work on the operationalization of the Suva Agreement through the Transitional Plan as recommended by the Meetings of the Forum Officials Committee and the Forum Foreign Ministers, noting that decisions on the hosting arrangements of the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and the Sub-Regional Office as well as the appointment of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner are to be finalised by Leaders at their next meeting.
Leaders have endorsed the Suva Agreement and further agreed to leave the Agreement open for signature by the Republic of Kiribati.
More on the communique in later bulletins.
