France has reinforced its commitment to the Pacific region during the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), led by Veronique Roger-Lacan, the French Ambassador for the Pacific. The high-level delegation, assigned by French President Emmanuel Macron, arrived in Tonga on August 24, 2024, to engage in significant discussions with regional leaders.
The delegation included François-Xavier Léger, the French Ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu, and Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, the Special Envoy of the French President for the United Nations Ocean Conference. During their bilateral meetings with Pacific Island leaders, the French representatives highlighted several key initiatives.
Notably, President Macron is set to host the Third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice in June 2025, inviting leaders from the Pacific region to discuss vital issues related to ocean conservation and the sustainable management of marine resources.
Additionally, the delegation underscored the essential role of Pacific States and Territories in addressing climate change. France expressed its commitment to significantly increase development aid to the region, focusing on climate-related projects and urgent environmental matters.
Moreover, President Macron invited the Troika of the PIF, which includes the prime ministers of Fiji, the Cook Islands, the Kingdom of Tonga, and the Solomon Islands, to visit New Caledonia. This invitation aims to facilitate an information-gathering trip regarding New Caledonia’s self-determination process, initiated under the Noumea Accord of 1998 and the Matignon-Oudinot Agreements of 1988. The mission will align with UN General Assembly Resolution 1541, as determined appropriate by the PIF.
France’s continued engagement in the Pacific region and its dedication to addressing shared challenges such as climate change, ocean protection, and regional stability are clearly illustrated through its active participation in the Pacific Islands Forum.