Pacific island leaders arrived in Fiji on Thursday for a two-day meeting 23-24 February in Nadi.

Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and chair of the Pacific Islands Forum at the opening dinner last night, 23 February called for a renewal of their collective commitment and common interests, as one Forum family.

He noted Kiribati's return to the Forum, and said his visit there was a highlight of his short tenure as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, a role he assumed in December.

"The recent challenges within our Forum family have, for me personally, reaffirmed the need for us as Leaders, to make considered efforts to invest in the leadership potential within our region, but not just any kind of leadership, we need to invest in leadership that is contextualized, to our Pacific cultures and traditions."

He said they would explore opportunities to reflect, renew and celebrate the age-old linkages, “that have underpinned our solidarity as a Forum Family over the last five decades.”

"We are a region set apart from the world. A region that shares a history that is centered around our ocean, and whose future is dependent on the one ocean, that we all share."

He also hoped that at the end of their Talanoa on 24 February, they would “celebrate our unity, our diversity; and most importantly, the renewal of our collective commitment and our common interests, as one Forum Family.”

2050 Pacific Strategy

PM Rabuka said the challenges of the 21^st century demand a stewardship of the ocean that is both rooted in tradition, and also cutting-edge science and technology.

"Looking ahead, the 2050 Strategy sets our collective vision for the next three decades. It is an aspirational strategy that will be grounded with an implementation plan that will guide the key areas of collective advocacy, and priority moving forward.

"Once the implementation plan is completed, there will be much work to be done to ensure that we have an efficient and fit-for-purpose architecture, to support and implement our collective political strategy."

Pacific Leaders, including Tonga's Prime Minister Hon. Hu'akavameiliku were welcomed with a traditional ceremony on 23 February, with the Retreat ending on 24 February, at the Sheraton Denarau.

Tonga

Hon. Hu’akavameiliku through the PMO, stated that he held a very productive meeting with PM Rabuka in which both leaders explored areas of collaboration to further strengthen our ties.

Hon. Hu'akavameiliku also expressed Tonga's gratitude for their support to the University of the South Pacific.

He also met with Cook Islands PM, Hon. Mark Brown where they exchanged views on various issues, including economic recovery opportunities and challenges, access to finance, workforce retention and deep sea minerals development.

The Cook Islands will assume PIF Chair at the end of this Special Leaders Retreat and will host the Leaders meeting later this year, before the Cook Islands hands over the Chair of PIF to Tonga, who will host the Forum Meeting in 2024.

Hon. Hu'akavameiliku met with New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister, Hon Carmel Sepuloni, and had good discussion on key issues at the Pacific Leaders Retreat.