Opening remarks for the 2024 PIF Women Leaders Meeting
by the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Baron Waqa
International Convention Centre (ICC), Majuro, Republic of Marshall Islands
26 July 2024
Excellency, President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, President Hilda Heine,
Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Right Honourable Feleti Teo,
Vice President of Palau, Hon Uduch Sengebau Senior,
Vice President of French Polynesia, Hon. Minarii Galenon-Taupua
Excellencies,
Honourable Ministers,
Distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,
Empowered leaders of the Pacific!
Ekamowir Omo Iakwe!
It is with great pride and profound respect that I open this important meeting.
2. Firstly, I acknowledge our gracious hosts, the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, who have left no stone unturned in their preparations and hospitality. Kommol tata.
3. The PIF Women Leaders Meeting this year is different from the last two. It has been a concerted and collaborative effort with The Pacific Community to align and streamline the Triennial, the Pacific Ministers for Women Meeting, and this PIF Women Leaders meeting. To have it all in one week is an amazing feat! Chair, at this juncture, please allow me to express my appreciation to the Director General of the Pacific Community and his team.
4. The resilience of our people is persistently tested - climate change, economic vulnerabilities, and social inequalities. I speak from experience when I say that, for our people in Smaller Island States, those tests of resilience hit even harder. Part of building resilience is recognition that we cannot go through hard times alone. Our resilience is greater when we are connected as part of the wider Pasifika family.
5. Pacific resilience is a testament to the spirit of our Blue Pacific Continent – a spirit that is unyielding and hopeful, always looking towards a brighter future.
6. Our 2050 Strategy is our vaka that will take us to that bright future: lighting a path along the way for all our Pacific people, today and for those to come.
7. Today, I want to especially acknowledge the women and girls of our Blue Pacific Continent. You are the backbone of our Member countries, the custodians of our cultures, and the champions of our communities.
8. The revitalised Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration is a commitment to the women and girls of our region - that Pacific Leaders recognise you and pledge to accelerate efforts to uplift and enhance the status of women and girls across all sectors and at all levels.
9. The revitalised PLGED goes hand-in-hand with the Pacific Platform for Action on Gender Equality and Women’s Human Rights. Both are much-needed pieces of the vaka that will take us to a more gender equal, equitable and socially inclusive Pacific in 2050.
10. The theme of the Triennial Conference and the Ministerial meetings is important and aligns well with the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders 53rd Meeting theme of “A Transformative Resilient Pasifiki: Build Better Now”.
11. To truly harness the potential of our islands, we must continue to include our women and girls in all efforts - creating an environment where they can thrive, innovate, and lead.
12. I challenge us Pacific men and boys to be agents of change by standing behind and alongside women and girls in pursuit of a more equal, equitable and inclusive Pacific.
13. In closing, I wish you well in the deliberations today. I know your discussions will be thorough and meaningful, drawing on your own experience as powerful leaders of the Blue Pacific.
Tubwa kor, I thank you.--ENDS
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