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, bringing together Pacific leaders and Japanese officials to discuss regional issues and strengthen ties. The inaugural meeting was held in 1997, and PALM9 took place online in July 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Rabuka, who attended the first PALM in 1997, views this as a continuation of the initial efforts.
“For us, it’s just a continuation of the first PALM,” he said. “It’s our regional cooperation, and we’ll be focusing on topics of tropical interest, such as the strategic use of the region.”
The PALM meetings facilitate key discussions between Japan and Pacific leaders on topics like climate change, development aid, and regional security. This platform allows Pacific leaders to voice their country’s challenges and seek regional support.
“I felt duty-bound to be there as one of the founding leaders,” Mr. Rabuka stated. “Regional cooperation and development are crucial, and it’s important for us to participate.”
Japanese Ambassador to Fiji Rokuichiro Michii expressed gratitude for Mr. Rabuka’s attendance, highlighting it as a sign of his commitment to regionalism.
“We are grateful for his travel, as Fiji’s bilateral relations are very important,” Mr. Michii said. “Fiji plays a central role in this region and is a source of stability, making his presence very significant.”
The PALM meeting will take place from next Tuesday to Thursday.