Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is currently on a visit to New Caledonia from Sunday, October 27, continuing through today. The trip follows a mandate from Pacific leaders during the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) meeting held in Tonga earlier this year.
The delegation is headed by Tongan Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, who is also the chairperson of PIF. Other members of the visiting team include Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown and Peter-Shanel Agovaka, the Solomon Islands Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade.
“This visit is strictly observational, as requested by the Government of New Caledonia,” Mr. Rabuka stated. He emphasized the respectful nature of their engagement, which is based on terms agreed upon and endorsed by the French State, the Government of New Caledonia, and the Forum.
Upon their arrival, the leaders toured areas in Noumea that experienced significant damage during recent unrest, including a public hospital and a commercial center. According to a PIF update, they also met with Louis Le Frenc, the High Commissioner of France to New Caledonia, as well as the President and members of the Customary Senate and the President of Congress. The discussions focused on the current situation and potential pathways forward for New Caledonia.
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