REMARKS: SG Puna at opening of the ILO-PIF Tripartite High Level Dialogue on Decent Work, 2050 Strategy

•    Your Excellency, Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere President of the Republic of Fiji
•    Honorable Labour Ministers
•    ILO Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Ms. Chihoko Asada-Miyakawa
•    ILO Director for Pacific Islands Countries Mr. Martin Wandera and Team
•    Employer and Worker representatives   
•    Regional and International Organizations representatives
•    Esteemed Excellencies and Senior Officials, 
•    Ladies and gentlemen.
•    Kia Orana and Ni Sa Bula Vinaka.

•    I regret that I cannot join you in person for this important occasion, but nonetheless, I am grateful for the opportunity to share a few reflections this evening, ahead of your discussions over the next few days. 
•    At the outset, allow me to reaffirm my sincere appreciation on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum, to host this Tripartite High-Level Dialogue at your Secretariat this week. 
[2050 Strategy]
•    It is a testament to the budding partnership that we will embark on with the ILO moving forward. 
•    A partnership that will undoubtedly complement our 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent – the central strategy for collective action here in our Pacific. 
•    However, while our collective vision is clear, we also recognise that the work to achieve this will not be possible on our own. 
•    And indeed, the partnership of international agencies and development partners become critical to our collective pursuit for our region and our Pacific people. 
•    And I am so pleased to recognise the International Labour Organisation as one such partner. 
•    Indeed, ensuring that our people have access to “decent work” is a fundamental human right that is captured in the aspirations of the 2050 Strategy.

•    In many ways, it is a fundamental human right that is foundational to ensuring that we build societies that are sustainable and independent and in turn, grow our future generations.

[ILO-PIFS Memorandum of Understanding]
•    Recognising this, I am very pleased that the Secretariat will be stepping up its cooperation with the ILO this week through a Memorandum of Understanding.

•    It is a demonstration of our joint commitment to our Pacific people – and moreso, our commitment to partner to advance the aspirations of our region.

•    Our budding cooperation will be guided by “Human centred development, Climate Change and Just transition; and Social dialogue and Tripartism” in alignment with the 2050 Strategy and its Implementation Plan. 

[Leaders Priority: Pacific Regional Labour Mobility Principles]
•    Your Excellency and Honourable Ministers,

•    Before I conclude, allow me to reiterate a key priority that remains on our Leaders' agenda – that of Labour mobility.

•    In accordance with the instructions of Leaders, the Secretariat is working with Partners to develop the Pacific Regional Labour Mobility Principles.

•    I am hopeful that your dialogue this week will inform the development of these principles moving forward.

[Conclusion]

•    That said Honourable Ministers, I encourage your frank and constructive discussions this week and where possible, encourage the sharing of best practices that the rest of us can also learn from.

•    With those few remarks, I wish you all well and offer my best wishes for your discussions ahead.

•    Meitaki Ma’ata and Vinaka Vakalevu.--ENDS

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