Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka will participate in the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) in Tokyo, Japan, next week.
Japan hosts PALM meetings every three years, providing a platform for Pacific leaders and Japan to discuss regional issues and strengthen ties. The first meeting took place in 1997, and PALM9 was held online in July 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Rabuka, who attended the inaugural PALM in 1997, emphasized the continuity of these meetings.
“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 topic of strategic positioning within the region, which we need to be aware of.”
The PALM meeting facilitates critical discussions on climate change, development aid, and strategic security for the region. It also serves as a forum where Pacific leaders can address their countries’ challenges and explore regional support mechanisms.
“I felt duty-bound to be there, being one of the founding leaders who attended the first meeting and focusing on regionalisation, cooperation, and development,” Mr. Rabuka said. “Our role in the global context makes it important for us to attend.”
Japanese Ambassador to Fiji Rokuichiro Michii expressed his appreciation for Mr. Rabuka’s attendance, highlighting its significance for regionalism.
“We are grateful for making it possible to travel because Fiji’s bilateral relations are very important,” Mr. Michii said. “In this region, Fiji plays a central role as a source of stability, making his presence very important.”
The PALM meeting will be held from Tuesday to Thursday next week.