Pacific Islands Forum chair Mark Brown called on Foreign Affairs Ministers from the region, who met in Suva on Friday, to avoid relying on the goodwill of others. In his opening remarks for the 2024 Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting, Brown highlighted the increasing geostrategic interests impacting the region.
“We are grappling with a climate crisis that deepens every year,” Brown remarked. He noted that the region faces new challenges, including cyber-attacks and transnational crime, emphasizing the need to enhance political solidarity. He stated the importance of being prepared to support one another whenever a member requires assistance.
Brown expressed satisfaction that the ministers were taking time to strengthen their shared priorities amid these pressures. He declared, “We can no longer rest on our laurels and depend on the goodwill of others. To achieve our shared 2050 vision, we must be strategic and assertive in our collective engagement.”
He urged the ministers to support their common aspirations and encouraged open, constructive, and honest discussions. As he concluded his term as chair, Brown thanked the ministers for their collaboration during his tenure, expressing his appreciation for their support over the past 18 months. He expressed it was a privilege for himself and his government to have been entrusted with this role within the Forum.