The Tenth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10)(Summary)

1. Overview
(1) On July 18, the Tenth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) was held under the co-chairmanship of Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, and Hon. Mr. Mark Brown, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, with the participation of leaders and representatives from 19 countries and regions, including Japan, 14 Pacific Island countries, New Caledonia , French Polynesia, Australia and New Zealand, and the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).

(2) In line with the seven areas outlined in the PIF’s “2050 Strategy,” the leaders mainly discussed the following seven topics: A Political Leadership and Regionalism, B People-Centered Development, C Peace and Security, D Resources and Economic Development, E Climate Change and Disasters, F Ocean and Environment, and G Technology and Connectivity, as well as regional and international affairs.

(3) Reaffirming the relationship between Japan and Pacific Island countries and regions to tackle common challenges and “stride forward together” towards the future, the leaders adopted “the Tenth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 10) Leaders’ Declaration” and “the Tenth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 10) Joint Action Plan” as the outcome of the discussions.

2. Each Session
(1) Opening
In the opening remarks by the co-chairs (Prime Minister Kishida and Prime Minister Brown), Prime Minister Kishida stated that, amidst the increasingly complicated environment surrounding this region, Japan would elevate our relationship with Pacific Island countries to a new height and “stride forward together” towards the future, emphasizing Japan’s strong support for the unity of the region and the PIF's “2050 Strategy” that embodies it.

(2) Session 1 (Vision for the PALM Partnership towards 2050, Striding forward together)
A. Prime Minister Kishida announced that Japan implemented the robust development cooperation and people-to-people exchanges and human resource development for 7500 people, which exceeded the target of 5,500 people under the “Japan’s Pacific Bond (KIZUNA) Policy” at PALM9, while emphasizing that it is of utmost importance that each cooperation becomes a source of strength for Pacific Island countries and regions.
B. The leaders of Pacific Island countries and regions expressed their appreciation for the pioneering role of PALM, gratitude for the delivery of Japan's commitment at PALM9 and willingness to continue to further develop cooperation with Japan.
C. Regarding the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea, Prime Minister Kishida stated that a series of monitoring have clearly indicated the safety of the activities, and that Japan would work closely with the IAEA and continue to provide information on an ongoing basis to enhance the confidence in the safety among Pacific Island countries and regions.
D. The leaders of Pacific Island countries and regions welcomed the dialogue with Japan and concurred on the importance of response based on scientific evidence in this matter, acknowledging IAEA as the authority of nuclear safety.

(3) Session 2 (“Climate Change and Disasters” and “Ocean and Environment”)
A. Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan and Pacific Island countries and regions fully share the sense of crisis over climate change, “the single greatest existential threat,” and announced “the Pacific Climate Resilience Initiative,” which consists of three pillars, (1) strengthening disaster risk reduction and response capacity, (2) promoting decarbonization, and (3) supporting Pacific-led efforts, as an “All Japan” initiative that mobilizes Japan’s technology, know-how, and financial resources.
B. Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan would work together to combat IUU (illegal, unreported, and unregulated) fishing and other issues, emphasizing that a stable and open Pacific Ocean is essential for peace and stability of Japan and Pacific Island countries and regions, and that ports need to be transparently managed with open access under the sovereignty of each country.
C. The leaders of Pacific Island countries and regions welcomed Japan's efforts and expressed their willingness to continue cooperation with Japan.

(4) Session 3 (“People-Centered Development,” “Resources and Economic Development,” and “Technology and Connectivity”)
A. Prime Minister Kishida stated that to protect and strengthen “human dignity,” Japan would continue to promote cooperation in the fields of education and health, and further expand people-to-people exchanges through the current human exchange and human resource development programs between Japan and the region and a recently decided human resource development program for young government officials from Pacific Island countries.
B. Prime Minister Kishida reaffirmed that maintaining transparent and fair development finance and correspondent banking relationship is indispensable for realizing sustainable and robust economic development and stated that Japan would work on business matching, including startups, and fostering local industries.
C. Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan would contribute to the enhancement of connectivity on land, sea, air, and in the digital space through the development of “quality infrastructure” including submarine cables.
D. The leaders of Pacific Island countries and regions welcomed Japan's efforts, characterized by people-to-people exchanges and human resource development, and expressed their expectations for further cooperation with Japan in finance, trade, investment, and infrastructure development.

(5) Working Lunch Agenda 1 (Cooperation in International Fora, “Peace and Security”)
A. Prime Minister Kishida stated that, upholding a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP),” Japan would cooperate with Pacific Island countries and regions that share common values and principles, and work together to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law, and contribute to peace and stability in the region, while considering the perspective of the WPS Agenda.
B. The leaders of Japan and Pacific Island countries and regions concurred in cooperating together to achieve UN Security Council reform, to realize a “world without nuclear weapons,” and dealing with North Korea including on the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue.

(6) Working Lunch Agenda 2 (Way Forward from PALM10)
A. Prime Minister Kishida expressed Japan’s commitment to promoting robust development cooperation and people-to-people exchanges and human resource development for more than 6,500 people over the next three years, hoping to hold the Sixth Ministerial Interim Meeting before PALM11.
B. The leaders of Pacific Island countries and regions welcomed Japan's commitment and expressed their expectations for future cooperation between Japan and Pacific Island countries and regions.

(7) Closing
Prime Minister Brown, the co-chair, welcomed the dialogue and the outcomes achieved today at PALM 10 expressed his hope to stride forward together under the PALM partnership between Japan and Pacific Island countries and regions.
Reaffirming that today Japan and Pacific Island countries and regions identified seven priority areas of cooperation in PALM10, which were consistent with the “2050 Strategy,” and would “stride forward together” for the realization of the common future vision, Prime Minister Kishida reiterated Japan’s determination to further strengthen KIZUNA between Japan and Pacific Island countries and regions and declared the closing of PALM10.

(Attendees)
1) Cook Islands: Prime Minister Mark Brown
2) Australia: Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong
3) Federated States of Micronesia: President Wesley W. Simina
4) Republic of Fiji: Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka
5) French Polynesia: President Moetai Brotherson
6) Republic of Kiribati: Mr. Uering Iteraera, Secretary for Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration
7) Republic of Nauru: President David Adeang
8) New Caledonia: Claude Gambey, Chief of staff to the President of the Autonomous Government (Special Envoy)
9) New Zealand: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters
10) Niue: Premier Dalton Tagelagi
11) Republic of Palau: President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr.
12) Independent State of Papua New Guinea: Prime Minister James Marape
13) Republic of the Marshall Islands: President Hilda C. Heine
14) Independent State of Samoa: Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa
15) Solomon Islands: Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele
16) Kingdom of Tonga: Prime Minister Hu‘akavameiliku
17) Tuvalu: Prime Minister Feleti Penitala Teo
18) Republic of Vanuatu: Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas
19) Pacific Islands Forum (PIF): Secretary General Baron Waqa