Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has stated that his visit to New Caledonia, taking place from Sunday, October 27, to today, is intended for observational purposes. This trip was organized by Pacific leaders following the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) meeting held in Tonga earlier this year.
The delegation is being led by Tongan Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, who serves as the PIF chairperson. Other members of the visiting team include Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown and Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister Peter-Shanel Agovaka.
“This visit is strictly observational, as requested by the Government of New Caledonia,” Mr. Rabuka remarked. He emphasized that the group is there to respectfully observe and engage based on the terms of reference approved by the French State, the Government of New Caledonia, and the Forum.
Upon their arrival, the leaders were taken to view areas of Noumea that suffered significant damage due to recent unrest, including a public hospital and a commercial center, as noted in an update from PIF. Additionally, the leaders met with Louis Le Frenc, the High Commissioner of France to New Caledonia, as well as members of the Customary Senate and the Congress to discuss the current situation and explore potential paths forward for New Caledonia.
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