POHNPEI (ABC/Pacnews) — The president of the Federated States of Micronesia says his country will proceed with a withdrawal from the Pacific Islands Forum but “sincere” apologies from regional leaders
The Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau and the Marshall Islands left. The Pacific Islands Forum, among the (Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific) agencies, is the premier policymaking organization for the region, said Tarcisius Kabutaulaka, director of the University of Hawaii s Center for Pacific Islands Studies. Their departure (from) the Pacific Islands Forum will have huge implications.
Pacific island countries, even those that left the forum, still hold membership in other Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific groups. But unlike fishery or climate change agencies, the Pacific Islands Forum advances regionalism, which fosters solidarity among island countries.
Author: Tess Newton Cain
(MENAFN - The Conversation) It has been a bruising couple of weeks for the Pacific Islands Forum after five Micronesian countries announced they were leaving the region s key intergovernmental body. But rumours of its demise have been somewhat exaggerated.
We may also look back at February 2021 as a turning point in Pacific regionalism , or the processes that foster cooperation and solidarity among Pacific island countries.
With increased attention on the forum and how it works, this could prompt change for the better.
What is the Pacific Islands Forum?
The Pacific Islands Forum has 18 members , including Australia and New Zealand.
Feb 12, 2021 09:56:53 AM The Social Democratic Liberal Party Leader Viliame Gavoka believes the problem with the government is that they cannot keep relationship. Gavoka while speaking in parliament said the Pacific Island Forum was disintegrating under the watch of the FijiFirst government. He said five Melanesian member countries have left the forum because the government has neglected the regionalism relationship. His comments come after the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, and Nauru have withdrawn from the Pacific Islands Forum. He said in the past the Fijian government would not put up a name to stand for the secretary-general post at the Pacific Island Forum.
The Marshall Islands must withdraw from the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) to maintain its integrity.
That s the view of senior opposition MP David Paul who said, If we don t do anything, we will be the laughing stock of the Forum, and our neighbors (in the Micronesia sub-region) won t trust us.
Kwajalein MP David Paul.
Photo: Twitter/ @MinisterDPaul
Paul represents Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands Nitijela (parliament) and was environment minister during President Hilda Heine s recent four years in office. Our only course of action is to do what Palau did, Paul continued, referring to the decision announced on Friday by the other Micronesian state to cut ties with the Forum and close its Suva embassy.