Prime Minister Bainimarama officiates at the “Pacific Talanoa to 2050 – Leadership and Regionalism”

The Pacific Talanoa to 2050 – Leadership and Regionalism was convened today by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders, at the margins of the 51st Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting currently underway in Suva. In his remarks at the Talanoa series, PIF Chair and Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama said that strong political leadership is critical for effective regionalism.

“It is important that we as Leaders remain committed to our citizens, as well as actively seek opportunities to invest in dialogue and consensus building at the regional level. The two are not mutually exclusive. “As Leaders of today, we need to be an example of the change we want to see. In addition to being a national citizen, we are also called to be Pacific citizens. And, I am confident that if strong leadership sets the course, Pacific regionalism will sail swiftly forward, buoyed by a unified Pacific Forum.

“We are at a critical juncture, where deeper political will and strong leadership is needed to drive the type of regionalism required to achieve the 2050 Strategy, and ultimately realize the vision of our past, present, and future Pacific Leaders,” he said.

The PIF Chair said the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent will serve as the region’s “North Star” for the decades to come, providing Pacific with a long-term vision and key values to guide the way forward in the future.

“We in the Pacific find ourselves confronted with the high, unaffordable price of self-serving decisions made beyond our purview. The enduring nature and normalization of global crises is deeply concerning to me. They are not normal, and we must push back on any narrative that accepts this reality. Our region relies on a stable international environment if we are to achieve the aspirations we share for our people.

“The 2050 Strategy will guide us in our engagement with the world, from a position of collective strength and foresight. It will ensure that we work together as the “Blue Pacific Continent” to manage our shared challenges and leverage our opportunities and strengths to secure our long-term future,” Prime Minister Bainimarama highlighted at the talanoa series.