President Surangel Whipps Jr. will attend the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, next week, from the 6th to the 10th of November, 2023.
Leaders from the region are expected to address pressing matters, including climate change solutions and regional security.
President Whipps said one of the initiatives Palau is pushing for in this meeting is the “Blue Pacific Prosperity Plan,” a commitment to have 100% managed, a minimum of 30% protected ocean. The plan is to have all the Pacific countries commit to this initiative and work with partners to secure financing. “That requires not only the commitment but also the financing,” and “Hopefully, we can take it from there to COP28,” reported Whipps at the November 1st press conference.
The sub-regional leaders’ meetings, the Micronesia Presidential Summit, the Melanesian Spearhead Group, and the Polynesian Leaders Group will also take place during the 52nd Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting. (By: L.N. Reklai)