France has reinforced its dedication to the Pacific region during the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) through a high-level delegation led by Veronique Roger-Lacan, the French Ambassador for the Pacific. This 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, along with Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, the Special Envoy of the French President for the United Nations Ocean Conference. During their meetings with Pacific Island leaders, the French representatives highlighted several key initiatives.
Firstly, President Macron is set to host the Third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice in June 2025, inviting leaders from the Pacific region to participate. The conference is expected to address crucial issues related to ocean conservation and the sustainable management of marine resources.
Secondly, the delegation underscored the vital role of Pacific States and Territories in combating climate change. They expressed France’s commitment to increasing development aid to the region by five times, particularly focused on climate-related initiatives and other pressing environmental challenges.
Additionally, President Macron extended an invitation to 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 is part of an information-gathering mission related to the self-determination process for New Caledonia, 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 when the PIF deems it appropriate.
France’s ongoing engagement in the Pacific region and its commitment to addressing common challenges such as climate change, ocean protection, and regional stability are exemplified by its active participation in the Pacific Islands Forum.