Prime Minister (PM) Jeremiah Manele successfully held bilateral discussions with the President of New Caledonia, His Excellency Alcide Ponga, where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and solidarity.
Prime Minister Manele acknowledged the updates provided to Pacific Islands Leaders on the progress of the situation in New Caledonia, commending President Ponga for his leadership.
He also highlighted common regional challenges, particularly climate change, and emphasized the importance of collective advocacy at the global level.
A key outcome of the Forum, the signing of the Pacific Resilience Facility, was welcomed by both leaders as a milestone in building resilience across the Blue Pacific.
Prime Minister Manele reiterated that “together we are stronger,” and stressed that declarations such as the Ocean of Peace Declaration are critical to sustaining unity and cooperation in the region.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Manele emphasized the role of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) as an important subregional mechanism for advancing common interests.
He underscored the need for upskilling Melanesian people, promoting sustainable conservation practices, and strengthening subregional support in aviation, trade, and digital communication.
For his part, the President of New Caledonia reaffirmed the importance of Melanesian solidarity and indicated that discussions on maritime boundaries with Vanuatu would take place in the future.
Both leaders agreed to continue engaging on regional integration, maritime boundary issues, and conservation efforts, while exploring new avenues of cooperation.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to ongoing dialogue and partnership, ensuring that Melanesian and Pacific voices remain strong, united, and responsive to the challenges of the region.
– OPMC
