Oceania

On September 19, commencing at 8:30 p.m. until around 9:30 p.m. (local time), Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is visiting New York, the United States of America to attend the 72nd United Nations (UN) General Assembly, held the Fourth Japan-Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting and exchanged views with Pacific Island countries’ leaders and other officials. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

1. In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan will make efforts to ensure the stability and prosperity of the Pacific islands countries region based on the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy”. Prime Minister Abe also stated that Japanese people feel strong indignation with North Korea for launching ballistic missiles that flew over Japan twice in three weeks and that North Korea, which went ahead with the sixth nuclear test, poses unprecedented, grave and imminent threat to the security of the international community. Prime Minister Abe noted that it is necessary to fully implement the relevant UNSC Resolutions including the new Resolution and apply unprecedented and new level of pressure on North Korea, and he called for cooperation from each participating country. In response, the participating countries expressed support for Japan’s position, and affirmed that Japan and the Pacific island countries will cooperate toward the  fully implementation of the UNSC resolutions.
2. In addition, Prime Minister Abe made remarks on cooperation between Japan and the Pacific islands countries towards the 8th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM8) that will be held in May next year, on (1) self-sustaining and sustainable development including in fields such as climate change, environment, disaster reduction and trade, investment and tourism; (2) invigoration people-to-people exchanges; and (3) various challenges on maritime issues. In response, the participating countries’ leaders appreciated the contributions that Japan has been making thus far via the PALM and affirmed that they will advance cooperation including these areas.    
3. Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe called for cooperation in the international arena, including the rule of law at sea and the UN reform and the participating countries also expressed support and understanding for Japan’s positions with regard to various challenges on maritime issues and the UNSC reform.
4. In response, Prime Minister Abe expressed that he renewed strong recognition on the significance and potential of partnership between Japan and the Pacific island countries, and would like to accelerate preparations toward the success of the PALM8.  

• H.E. Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister, the Independent State of Samoa
• H.E. Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr., President, the Republic of Palau
• Hon. Mr. Lorin Robert, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Federated States of Micronesia
• Hon. Rimbink Pato, MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Independent State of Papua New Guinea
• Hon. Milner Tozaka, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Solomon Islands
• Hon. John M. Silk, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Republic of the Marshall Islands
• Hon. Saia Ma’u Piukala, Minister of Health, the Kingdom of Tonga
• H.E. Teburoro Tito, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kiribati to the United Nations
• Mr. Yogesh Karan, Permanent Secretary for the Office of the Prime Minister, the Republic of Fiji
• Dame Meg Taylor, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretariat