Oceania
Japan-Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting
September 29, 2015
Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office
Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office
1 On September 28 (local time), commencing at 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, who is visiting New York in the United States, held the Japan-Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting at the Grand Hyatt New York. Prime Minister Abe and the Pacific Island countries' leaders confirmed a wide range of cooperation based on the Seventh Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM7), as well as the steady implementation of cooperation in important areas such as climate change and disaster risk reduction, and they also discussed ways of approaching the partnership going forward.
2 At the beginning, Prime Minister Abe expressed his gratitude for the countries' participation in PALM7, which was held in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, in May this year. Prime Minister Abe explained that the priority cooperation areas and Assistance Package that were confirmed at PALM7 are already being steadily implemented, and emphasized that he hopes to further deepen cooperation in areas such as climate change, disaster risk reduction and the sustainable utilization of marine resources. Prime Minister Abe also asked for views on how the partnership can be strengthened in the future, including by holding PALM8.
3 In response, the participating countries' leaders appreciated the contributions that Japan has been making via Pacific Islands Leaders Meetings thus far, and welcomed the steady follow-up to PALM7. The leaders also expressed expectation that Japan will continue to proactively take the initiative, including in the areas of climate change and disaster risk reduction, for the peace and stability of the Pacific region.
4 Additionally, the participating countries' leaders expressed support for the establishment of ''World Tsunami Day'', and shared the view that they will cooperate at the United Nations.
(Participants from Pacific Island countries)
H.E. Christopher J. Loeak, President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
H. E. Baron Divavesi Waqa, President of the Republic of Nauru
H.E. Peter Martin Christian, President of the Federated States of Micronesia
Hon. Tuilaepa Fatialofa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister of the Independent State of Samoa
Hon. Rear Admiral (Retired) Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji
Hon. Samiuela 'Akilisi Pohiva, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga
Hon. Rimbink Pato, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea
Mr. Samuelu Teo, Member of Parliament and Special Envoy in Charge of Disaster Prevention of Tuvalu
Hon. Milner Tozaka, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of the Solomon Islands
Hon. Serge Rialuth Vohor, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trades of the Republic of Vanuatu
H.E. Dr. Caleb Tyndale Otto, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Palau to the United Nations
Dame Meg Taylor, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretariat
2 At the beginning, Prime Minister Abe expressed his gratitude for the countries' participation in PALM7, which was held in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, in May this year. Prime Minister Abe explained that the priority cooperation areas and Assistance Package that were confirmed at PALM7 are already being steadily implemented, and emphasized that he hopes to further deepen cooperation in areas such as climate change, disaster risk reduction and the sustainable utilization of marine resources. Prime Minister Abe also asked for views on how the partnership can be strengthened in the future, including by holding PALM8.
3 In response, the participating countries' leaders appreciated the contributions that Japan has been making via Pacific Islands Leaders Meetings thus far, and welcomed the steady follow-up to PALM7. The leaders also expressed expectation that Japan will continue to proactively take the initiative, including in the areas of climate change and disaster risk reduction, for the peace and stability of the Pacific region.
4 Additionally, the participating countries' leaders expressed support for the establishment of ''World Tsunami Day'', and shared the view that they will cooperate at the United Nations.
(Participants from Pacific Island countries)
H.E. Christopher J. Loeak, President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
H. E. Baron Divavesi Waqa, President of the Republic of Nauru
H.E. Peter Martin Christian, President of the Federated States of Micronesia
Hon. Tuilaepa Fatialofa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister of the Independent State of Samoa
Hon. Rear Admiral (Retired) Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji
Hon. Samiuela 'Akilisi Pohiva, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga
Hon. Rimbink Pato, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea
Mr. Samuelu Teo, Member of Parliament and Special Envoy in Charge of Disaster Prevention of Tuvalu
Hon. Milner Tozaka, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of the Solomon Islands
Hon. Serge Rialuth Vohor, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trades of the Republic of Vanuatu
H.E. Dr. Caleb Tyndale Otto, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Palau to the United Nations
Dame Meg Taylor, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretariat