Press Releases
PALM Ministerial Interim Meeting
On October 20, commencing at 12:00 p.m. for approximately 2 hours, the Ministerial Interim Meeting of the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) was held by videoconference. Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, co-chaired the meeting with the Hon. Simon KOFE, Minister of Justice, Communications and Foreign Affairs of Tuvalu. The overview of the meeting is as follows;
1. Minister MOTEGI explained that, since the 8th Pacific Leaders Meeting (PALM8), Japan has strengthened its cooperation with Pacific Island countries in order to realize a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”. Minister MOTEGI also provided concrete examples of the progress of Japan’s commitments made at PALM8 and stated that Japan would continue to provide assistance and promote human resource development and people-to-people exchanges based on the needs of Pacific Island countries. Minister MOTEGI made special mention of the fact that Japan had provided medical supplies, equipment and technical support to Pacific Island countries, which have been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. In response, the PIF members expressed deep appreciation for Japan’s steady implementation of its commitments and provision of assistance to Pacific Island countries in the areas of the pillars of cooperation expressed in PALM8: free, open and sustainable maritime order, resilient and sustainable development and human resource development, and people-to-people exchange.
3. The Ministers exchanged views on cooperation in international fora, including issues related to North Korea, and shared the intent for continued close coordination between Japan and Pacific Island countries. In connection, Minister MOTEGI sought continued understanding and cooperation for the early resolution of the abductions issue.
4. The Ministers exchanged views on the vision and priorities for PALM9, to be held in 2021, and confirmed continued close cooperation toward the successful meeting. The Chairs’ Summary (English (PDF)
/ Japanese (PDF)) was adopted.
(Participants)
PIF members (Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Australia and New Zealand).