Israel has joined the Pacific Islands Forum, the region’s principal political organisation, as a partner.
Israel has stepped up its diplomatic focus on the Pacific over the last few years, winning the dedication of numerous Pacific Islands countries in the process.
As a PIF partner, Israel will participate in the Forum’s Sectoral Partnership Stream, engaging actively with the region on development priorities. The PIF has more than two dozen external dialogue partners, including the United States, China, the United Kingdom, France and the European Union.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said that this will be along the lines of water management, desalination, agriculture and climate change adaptation.
“The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Baron Divavesi Waqa, informed Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar that Israel has been accepted as a Forum Partner. The decision was made at a meeting of the leaders of the Forum’s member states, held in Palau,” the ministry said.
“The announcement follows Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s visit to Fiji in June of this year, during which he met with the Forum’s Secretary General and formally presented Israel’s request to join.”
The PIF will also draw up a new agreement with Israel that identifies shared priorities and a means to measure their progress.
The PIF Secretariat has yet to issue an official statement regarding Israel’s partner status announcement.
RNZ Pacific has contacted New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters for comment.
