Pacific Islands Forum Leaders concluded their Special Leaders Retreat overnight and have announced former Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna as the incoming Secretary General. The appointment also signals the end of the tenure of the incumbent Secretary General Dame Meg Taylor. The leaders acknowledged Dame Meg for her leadership and guidance to the Pacific Islands Forum on regional issues over the past 6 years.
COVID-19 and the distribution of vaccines was also on the agenda. Leaders acknowledged the region’s efforts to manage the spread of the COIVD-19 pandemic in the Pacific region, including through the establishment and operationalisation of the Pacific Humanitarian Pathway on COVID-19.
Leaders also welcomed the significant support from Australia and New Zealand to secure vaccines for all Pacific people and the multilateral and bilateral partnerships working to ensure one hundred percent coverage.
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