Waving their hands to indicate the 10th PALM, Pacific leaders and Prime Minister of Japan, Kishida Fumio (center in front of PM Manele) took a group photo after the 10th PALM meeting proper
TWO specific issues were raised by Prime Minister honorable Jeremiah Manele MP during the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting in Tokyo, Japan last week.
The first one is the country’s position on the discharging of treated nuclear water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant and update on Honiara’s hosting of the Sustainable Development Goal 14 which will take place in February 2025.
The Prime Minister was meticulous in addressing the discharging of the treated water from Fukushima Nuclear Plant, PM Manele first acknowledged the 2050 strategy for the Blue Pacific which was adopted in 2022.
The Prime Minister stated that the strategy is accompanied by an implementation plan that outline goals for the region to strengthen the bond of friendship with Japan. Further adding that “…Japan remains a valuable Pacific dialogue partner, a distant fishing water nation and an ocean neighbor to the region”.
PM expressed that Japan shares an history with Solomon Islands and remains an engaging development.
Emphasizing the importance of the Pacific Ocean, the Prime Minister underscored that the ocean is our past, present and future. Adding that the Pacific region accounts for 20% of the earth’s world’s surface and 90 percent of territories is made of the ocean. Further emphasizing that Solomon Islands- 98% is made of water- which account for some 1.5 million square kilometers and with only 28,000 square kilometers accounted for dry land.
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele pointed that the Pacific region has its share of mixture of shocks from climate change, natural disasters, heightened tensions and so forth. Adding that this has prompted Solomon Islands to rectify the 1985 Raratonga treaty.
PM Manele called on all parties to the Raratonga treaty to respect it and for non- parties to accede to the treaty.
The Prime Minister underscored that with the absence of national and regional scientific capacity and capability has put our people in suspense. Strongly emphasizing that “having regional verifiable scientific” capability and assessment will ease the anxiety and uncertainty experienced by our people in the face of the discharging of the Advance Liquid Processing System (ALPS) treated water.
PM Manele pointed out that the PALM 10 has given opportunity for Japan to strengthen its relationship with the region, more so its commitment to share the responsibility to safeguard the Pacific region. Adding that Japan’s multilateral approach to step up the region’s scientific capability must be pursued with urgency.
The Prime Minister highlighted it is our shared responsibility to safeguard the Pacific Ocean. Adding that it is our duty to guaranteeing the sustainable future of our people after all the ocean connects Japan and the Pacific’s future.
On the hosting of the Sustainable Development Goal 14.4, the Prime Minister extended warm welcome to all members of the 10th PALM to Solomon Islands on February 2025.
PM Manele strongly added that Solomon Islands looks forward to work with all to accelerate the collective progress towards targeting the SDG 14.4.
Source: PMO
