“High-Level Leaders Meeting to Unlock BLUE PACIFIC PROSPERITY”
19 September 2023
New York, USA- Prime Minister, the Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, at the margins of the 78th session of the United Nations General Debate, joined Hon. Surangel S. Whipps Jr, President of Palau, and Dr. Andrew Steer, CEO and President of Bezos Earth Fund as Co-Chairs of the High-Level Leaders’ Meeting to Unlock Blue Pacific Prosperity.
The Meeting were to strengthen active engagement with new investors and existing partners who have expressed positive interest in investing in the Pacific and this proposal; meet with interested investors to collectively determine the next course of action; and solidify investor confidence in the region by conveying unity and solidarity for the ambitions and actions expressed in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and 2050 Strategy Implementation Plan.
The meeting outcomes sought to build towards a commitment to support the three high-level goals in the Business Case; to build toward a commitment to support the two-phased roadmap to establish a formal process to co-design a concrete action plan, over 12 to 18 months, commencing 2024; and, if appropriate, raise the possibility of announcing a commitment to work together this year, for example at the COP28 in Dubai, U.A.E.
The President of Palau stated that “Our conventional approaches are evolving, giving way to innovative methods that place sustainability and inclusivity at the forefront. We are reimagining what shared responsibility truly means.”
The Prime Minister of Tonga affirmed that “The urgency for change is evident; if the goal is to achieve systems-level impact, the current way of addressing development or climate problems will fail.”
The Pacific Island Leaders emphasized that forming a coalition of support for this transformative initiative will not be a solitary endeavor, “…it’s woven between partners and integrated into our Strategy and Regional action Plans. Your support [from partners and investors] is not just welcomed, it’s celebrated.”
The Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, Mr. Paula Pouvalu Ma’u, accompanied the Honourable Prime Minister to this High-Level Meeting.
