Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka will attend the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) in Tokyo, Japan, next week.
Japan organizes PALM meetings every three years, bringing together Pacific leaders to discuss regional issues and strengthen ties. The meetings began in 1997, and the PALM9 was held online in July 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Rabuka was among the leaders who attended the first PALM in 1997.
“For us, it’s just a continuation of the first PALM,” he said. “It’s our regional cooperation, and we’ll be focusing on the use of the region for strategic positioning, which we need to be aware of.”
The PALM meeting serves as a platform for Japan and Pacific leaders to engage in important discussions on climate change, development aid, and strategic security for the region. It also allows Pacific leaders to highlight the issues they face and explore regional support.
“I felt duty-bound to be there as one of the founding leaders who attended the first meeting, focusing on regionalisation, cooperation, and development,” Mr. Rabuka said. “Our participation in global and regional matters is essential.”
Japanese Ambassador to Fiji Rokuichiro Michii expressed gratitude for Mr. Rabuka’s attendance, emphasizing his commitment to regionalism.
“We are grateful that he could make the trip because Fiji’s bilateral relations are very important,” said Mr. Michii. “Fiji plays a central role in this region and is a source of stability, making his presence very important.”
The PALM will take place from next Tuesday to Thursday.