Photo supplied
PACIFIC Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa is heading to Palau to join invited guests attending the Presidential Inauguration of H.E Surangel Whipps Jr on 16 January 2025.
While in Palau, SG Waqa will have the opportunity to meet with senior officials to discuss Forum priorities, as well as engagements for Palau and Micronesia.
“Palau has been a member of the Forum family of Pacific nations since 1999, and it is an honour to represent the regional family and Secretariat through this invitation to the Inauguration Ceremony,” said SG Waqa.
“We look forward to offering the Secretariat’s ongoing support to the President and the people and government of Palau, and to strengthening our engagement in order to benefit from Palau’s leadership and guidance on the regional and global fronts.”
Palau also takes up the Chair of the Alliance of Small Islands States in 2025 and is an integral member of the Smaller Islands States group as well as the Micronesia President’s Summit.
Palau is also poised to join the Forum Troika Leaders’ arrangement later this year, as the nation has been confirmed to host the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in 2026.
Source: PIFS
