By Staff Writer
The Pacific Island Forum unity is under threat after the candidate backed by Micronesian member countries was not appointed Secretary General of the Secretariat.
The Forum leaders in a meeting last week voted 9-8 in favour of the former Cook Is. Prime Minister Henry Puna.
Micronesian member countries wanted Marshall Is. Ambassador to the UN Gerald Zakios for the position.
Micronesian member country Palau is reportedly “… terminating its participation in the Pacific Islands Forum following the failure of Micronesia’s candidate to be selected as the new Secretary General,” according to media reports from Fiji.
The Palau pullout was reportedly disclosed in a diplomatic note to the Fiji Government for the closure of the island nations embassy in the capital Suva.
““The process regarding the appointment of the Secretary General has clearly indicated to Republic of Palau that unity, regionalism, and the Pacific Way no longer guide the Forum,” the diplomatic note sent to Fiji’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and obtained by Islands Business’ Palau correspondent, Bernadette Carreon states.
“In this difficult global economic situation, and without further participation in the Pacific Islands Forum, the Republic of Palau cannot justify its current embassy expense in Suva, Fiji” the note continues.
“Palau deeply regrets this situation, and trusts that its warm bilateral relationship with the Republic of Fiji will continue undiminished” the note concludes.
The embassy closure is effective from 28 February.
Forum chair and Tuvalu Prime Minister Kausea Natano issued a statement at the end of the leaders online session to confirm the new appointment.
He said he remained steadfast behind the Forum Leaders appointment of former Cook Is. Prime Minister Henry Puna as the next Secretary General.
“This was a consensus decision following an agreed process at our Special Leaders’ Retreat on 3 February 2021,” his statement read.
“We have upheld our principles and values as characterised through the Pacific Way. Central to our Pacific Way is our values of the collective good, maintaining relationships, talanoa and mutual respect.
“In spite of the difficulty of the discussion and the differing views, I am pleased that my Colleague Leaders and I were able to dialogue and agree on a process at our meeting to finalise this appointment.
“The next Secretary General, Henry Puna, is expected to take up his new position in April, 2021.”