BY JOY OFASIA
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele of Solomon Islands has assumed the chairmanship of the Pacific African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Leaders Meeting, welcoming leaders to Honiara on Monday this morning.
The meeting marks a critical moment for Pacific ACP States as they strengthen their global partnerships while advocating for regional priorities.
Speaking from the Forum Fisheries Agency conference room, PM Manele extended a warm welcome to delegates and called for unity, action, and clarity as the region faces complex global challenges — particularly climate change.
“On behalf of the Government and People of Solomon Islands, I extend to all of you a very warm welcome,” said PM Manele. “It is an honour and privilege to host our meeting of Pacific ACP Leaders here in Honiara.”
He praised the Kingdom of Tonga for its recent leadership, particularly for guiding the region through the signing of the Samoa Agreement and the establishment of the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), the first Pacific-owned financing mechanism for disaster and climate resilience.
“These are the legacies of our Forum Leaders’ collective wisdom, all of which will serve our Blue Pacific region for generations to come,” he noted.
Now under Solomon Islands’ leadership, PM Manele urged fellow leaders to seize new opportunities — including strengthening the Pacific’s representation in Brussels through the upcoming appointment of a Pacific Assistant Secretary-General at the OACPS Secretariat.
“This post will give the Pacific not only visibility, but a firmer hand in shaping decisions… that affect our region’s financing, governance, and implementation of the Samoa Agreement,” he said.
Climate justice was a central theme in the Prime Minister’s remarks, as he encouraged leaders to back new political “Climate Champions” in the lead-up to COP30 — and expressed a strong desire for the region to host COP31 with Australia.
“Climate action is urgent… our people are on the frontline of climate change and global shocks,” PM Manele stated. “Our share of resources must reflect not only our vulnerabilities, but also our commitment to be responsible and reliable partners.”
With discussions focused on implementing the Samoa Agreement and advancing the 2050 Strategy, PM Manele concluded his speech with a call to collective purpose.
“Let us ensure that in our work… the Blue Pacific continues to speak with one voice,” he urged. “The success of our leadership is premised on the spirit of Pacific solidarity, with clarity, urgency, and unity.”
