France has reaffirmed its commitment to the Pacific region at the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), with a high-level delegation led by Veronique Roger-Lacan, the French Ambassador for the Pacific. The delegation, representing French President Emmanuel Macron, arrived in Tonga on August 24, 2024, to hold crucial discussions with regional leaders.
The delegation included François-Xavier Léger, the French Ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu, along with Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, the Special Envoy of the French President for the United Nations Ocean Conference. During meetings with Pacific Island leaders, they highlighted several significant initiatives.
Firstly, President Macron plans to host the Third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice in June 2025, to which leaders from the Pacific region are invited. This conference is expected to address vital issues concerning ocean conservation and the sustainable management of marine resources.
Secondly, the delegation pointed out the essential role that Pacific States and Territories play in combating climate change. France expressed its commitment to increase development aid to the region fivefold, focusing particularly on climate-related projects and other urgent environmental matters.
Additionally, President Macron invited the Troika of the PIF—comprising the prime ministers of Fiji, the Cook Islands, the Kingdom of Tonga, and the Solomon Islands—to visit New Caledonia. This invitation is intended for an informational trip related to the self-determination process of New Caledonia, initiated under the Noumea Accord of 1998 and the Matignon-Oudinot Agreements of 1988. The mission will align with UN General Assembly Resolution 1541, to be carried out at the PIF’s discretion.
France’s active involvement in the Pacific Islands Forum showcases its ongoing engagement with the Pacific region and its commitment to addressing shared challenges such as climate change, ocean protection, and regional stability.