The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) troika leaders have
reviewed a list of “eminent persons” with extensive
knowledge on Pacific regionalism to leads discussions on
regional reforms, the Cook Islands government said in a
statement on Friday.
The PIF troika is a high-level
regional political consultative mechanism made up of the
Forum’s immediate past, present, and future
chairs.
Solomon Islands is the current chair of PIF,
having taken over from Tonga last year. Palau will be the
next chair.
The Cook Islands Foreign Affairs Ministry
said that Prime Minister Mark Brown joined the troika
leaders on Monday to address pressing regional matters and
advance discussions for strengthened regionalism as
envisioned in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific
Continent.
It said the leaders reviewed the 2024
troika mission report on New Caledonia and reaffirmed the
PIF’s commitment to providing constructive support for the
self-determination process in New Caledonia.
They
“also considered a shortlist of eminent persons with deep
expertise in Pacific regionalism to spearhead consultations
with leaders, relevant ministers and senior officials in a
talanoa setting on regional governance reforms.
“Upon
further deliberation, troika leaders will appoint one
representative from each Pacific sub-region to form a
gender-balanced High-Level Persons Group that will compile
their findings from the consultations into a report for
further consideration and endorsement by Forum
members.”
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The statement said the eminent persons
initiative will contribute to the ongoing work for the
Review of the Regional Architecture (RRA), which aims to
ensure regional governance mechanisms are fit-for-purpose,
effective, and responsive to the evolving needs of Pacific
Island countries.
“Effective regional governance
requires strong collective political leadership, and the
troika mechanism is central to ensuring the Pacific Islands
Forum remains cohesive, forward-looking, and responsive to
the region’s evolving needs,” Cook Islands foreign secretary
Tepaeru Herrmann said.
He said that as an active
member of the troika, the Cook Islands remains committed to
providing strategic direction that strengthens Pacific unity
and reinforces our shared commitment to regional collective
action.
“Through close collaboration, we are shaping
regional approaches and initiatives that reflect regional
priorities, uphold Pacific-led solutions, and foster deeper
cooperation across the Blue Pacific,” he added.
In
addition, the PIF troika leaders reaffirmed their commitment
to sustaining the momentum on these matters, with a
follow-up meeting scheduled for next month, as they move
toward the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Honiara
later this
year.
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