Cook Islands, Pacific Islands Forum

Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 27 October 2023 — The Cook Islands continue to advance preparations to welcome Pacific Leaders to Rarotonga and Aitutaki for the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM52) to be held from 6 – 10 November 2023.

As the countdown continues to when Pacific Leaders touch down at Rarotonga International Airport, a comprehensive beautification initiative to prepare the islands of both Rarotonga and Aitutaki continues.

Prime Minister of Fiji, the Honourable Sitiveni Rabuka, Ministers, Excellences, Friends

Kia Orana, and thank you to the Forum secretariat staff for the opportunity to join this special occasion. It is truly wonderful to know that as we celebrate our moments of independence in each and every one of our island nations across the Pacific, our secretariat family at the home of regionalism are also doing the same, in this very space.

REMARKS BY PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM CHAIR
The Honourable Mark Brown, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands at the Ceremonial Welcome by Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat

The Honourable Sitiveni Rabuka, Prime Minister of Fiji and member of the Pacific Islands Forum Troika Secretary General Henry Puna and Staff of the Pacific Islands Forum

Honourable Ministers present here this evening

Representatives of our Forum Member States

Members of the Diplomatic Corp

Representatives of our Regional Agencies, and Development Partners