Delivered by the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Plenary Session, President of Palau, H.E Surangel Whipps, Jr
Ngarachamayong Cultural Center, Koror, Palau
02 September 2026
Colleague Leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Alii and welcome to our Plenary Session.
Yesterday we had the opportunity to listen to our wider regional family –our CROP agencies, civil society and private sector, our Associate Members and Observers, and our international Partners.
Those discussions provide important context for our deliberations today.
The responsibility now rests with us as Leaders to provide political direction.
We do so at a time when the environment around us is changing rapidly.
One thing is clear; the evolving nature of our challenges is becoming too complex. But as a collective, there are opportunities to draw on our comparative advantages to find common solutions and ensure the strategic importance of our Blue Pacific continues to grow.
It will require greater regional leadership, stronger regional coordination and, above all, unity of purpose.
Our challenge now is one of delivery.
That challenge is reflected across the agenda before us today – from our political leadership and regionalism, peace and security, and economic development, through to the wellbeing of our people, climate change, our ocean, and technology and connectivity.
I trust that through our discussions today, we will be clear about the outcomes we seek; the direction we give our regional agencies; and the advocacy that we want to support to ensure that we are able to use our collective voice and influence to advance Pacific priorities.
With those remarks, colleague Leaders, I look forward to our deliberations.
Mesulang.
[ENDS]
