France has reiterated its dedication to the Pacific region at the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), spearheaded by Veronique Roger-Lacan, the French Ambassador for the Pacific. The delegation, sent by French President Emmanuel Macron, arrived in Tonga on August 24, 2024, to hold significant discussions with leaders from the region.
The delegation also featured François-Xavier Léger, the French Ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu, and Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, the French President’s Special Envoy for the United Nations Ocean Conference. During their meetings with Pacific Island leaders, the representatives highlighted several key initiatives.
One of the major points was the upcoming Third United Nations Ocean Conference, which President Macron will host in Nice in June 2025, with invitations extended to Pacific leaders. The conference is expected to address vital issues concerning ocean conservation and the sustainable management of marine resources.
Additionally, the delegation stressed the pivotal role of Pacific States and Territories in combating climate change. They announced France’s intention to increase development aid to the region fivefold, particularly focusing on climate-related projects and pressing environmental concerns.
Moreover, President Macron invited the PIF Troika, comprising the prime ministers of Fiji, the Cook Islands, the Kingdom of Tonga, and the Solomon Islands, to visit New Caledonia. This invitation is part of an information-gathering effort related to New Caledonia’s self-determination process, initiated as per the Noumea Accord of 1998 and the Matignon-Oudinot Agreements of 1988. The mission will align with UN General Assembly Resolution 1541, depending on the PIF’s discretion.
France’s ongoing involvement in the Pacific region underscores its commitment to addressing shared challenges such as climate change, ocean protection, and regional stability, as evidenced by its participation in the Pacific Islands Forum.