by Charley Piringi
in Honolulu
The Pacific Agenda: Investment, Security and Shared Prosperity Summit concluded in Honolulu this evening on a high note, with new commitments and strengthened partnerships emerging from two days of high-level discussions.
United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, in his closing remarks, urged Pacific leaders, development partners and private sector representatives to translate dialogue into concrete action.
While describing the summit as successful, Mr Landau said that the United States had played primarily a convening role.
“The real outcomes depend on the commitments and partnerships formed during the discussions,” he said.
The summit brought together senior delegations from members of the Pacific Islands Forum, alongside representatives from Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the Republic of Korea.
Mr Landau said partners share a common vision of “a prosperous and secure Pacific region characterised by private sector investment.”
“It was powerful to bring together all these perspectives from across the Pacific family,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele welcomed the outcome of the two-day summit, calling for stronger and more practical cooperation between Pacific Island countries and the United States.
Following what he described as candid discussions with Pacific leaders, US officials and private sector representatives, Mr Manele said he leaves Honolulu with “confidence and optimism.”
“Investment and security are inseparable and critical for prosperity,” he said, adding that Pacific priorities must be understood within their regional and national contexts.
Mr Manele reiterated that Pacific solutions must be shaped “with us at the front and centre,” noting that key regional frameworks are already guiding development efforts.
“These include the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, the Pacific Roadmap on Economic Development and the Ocean of Peace Declaration endorsed by Forum Leaders,” he said.
He added that the true measure of success will depend on how commitments made at the summit are implemented in a meaningful and sustainable way.
“How do we take the issues from this week forward in a way that reinforces the importance of our partnership with the USA?” Mr Manele asked.
The summit was hosted by the East-West Center, a Hawaii-based education and research institution, with support from the United States Government.
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