Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has reiterated Papua New Guinea’s strong commitment to a more united, inclusive, and modernized Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), one that truly reflects the identity, shared values, and aspirations of all Pacific peoples.
Speaking during a high-level political Talanoa discussion with the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) of the PIF in Suva, Fiji, on the margins of the 23rd Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Leaders’ Meeting, Prime Minister Marape emphasized the importance of regional solidarity and the urgent need to reform the Forum’s governance to ensure greater inclusivity, fair-ness, and resilience.
The EPG is currently consulting member countries across the region on how to restructure the forum around four critical areas:
- Political Leadership
- Governance Institutions and Mechanisms
- Engagement Strategies
- Regional Partnerships
The EPG members present included:
- Gerald Zackios (Republic of the Marshall Islands)
- Dr. James Rodrigues
- Peseta Noumea Simi (Samoa)
Describing the Pacific as a “Big Ocean State,” Prime Minister Marape said Pacific nations must never underestimate their collective value, identity, or strength.
“Our countries and peoples are not small island states – we are a big oceanic state, rich in resources, heritage, and history. We have existed for thousands of years, long before colo-nial contact. We are a unique people, and nothing can separate us,” Prime Minister Marape said.
He called for stronger regional political unity, especially in addressing major global chal-lenges such as climate change and rising sea levels, which continue to threaten the liveli-hoods of Pacific communities.
“We must stand united against the existential threats facing our region. The Pacific Islands Forum must be the anchor of our collective voice and resilience,” he added.
Prime Minister Marape stressed that the Forum’s leadership and membership frameworks must be redefined and modernised, proposing that leadership be rotational and inclusive, to ensure equal participation by all member countries—regardless of their size, population, or geographical location.
“The Forum’s rules and leadership appointment processes must be reviewed. Every country or territory, every citizen and resident in the region, should have an equal right to representation and leadership,” he said.
“We need to redefine membership—not only by sovereign status but also by residency and cultural identity.”
He also highlighted the need to strengthen the Pacific Islands Forum over smaller sub-re-gional blocs, which, while useful, should not distract from the unity of the whole region.
“Papua New Guinea’s position is clear: we want to strengthen—not weaken or dilute—the PIF. Our collective strength lies in the forum, not in fragmentation.”
In addressing the role of Australia and New Zealand, Mr Marape underscored that both countries are integral to the Pacific family and should continue to play active, equal roles in the region.
“We must not view Australia and New Zealand as distant or separate. They are part of the greater Pacific Ocean community. Sometimes we see them as ‘them and us’, but in truth, we are one Pacific family. We must walk forward together,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape confirmed that PNG will submit a formal position paper to the EPG, outlining the country’s recommendations for reform.
He urged other Pacific nations to contribute constructively to the process, noting that the Forum must reflect the evolving political, cultural, and social realities of the Pacific.
“We were a people before borders and colonisation. Our voices must now shape the future. The Pacific Islands Forum must be the modern vessel that carries our shared destiny for-ward.”
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Eminent Persons Group thanked Prime Minister Mar-ape for his time, leadership, and clear and positive contributions to the forum reform discussions.
The EPG stated that after completing consultations with all Forum member coun-tries, they will compile their findings and recommendations into a final report to be submit-ted to Pacific Islands Forum leaders for consideration and adoption as the region’s agreed way forward.