Saturday, May 23, 2009

JAPANESE

2nd Day of the Fifth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM5)

Photograph of the Prime Minister attending the second session

Photograph of the Prime Minister attending the second session

The second and third sessions of the Fifth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM5) were held on May 23, the second day of the meeting. Continuing on from the previous day, Prime Minister Aso engaged in discussions on matters such as the situation in the Pacific region and Japan-PIF (Pacific Islands Forum) relations. During the closing session, the leaders adopted the Hokkaido Islanders' Declaration, in which it was stated that Japan and the Pacific island countries, as equal partners sharing the Pacific Ocean, would create a Pacific Environment Community to work together to address environmental and climate change issues. PALM5 thus came to an end.

Following the closing of PALM5, Prime Minister Aso and Hon. Mr. Toke Tufukia Talagi, Premier of Niue, held a press conference. Regarding the major results of the summit meeting, Prime Minister Aso said, "First, in the area of the environment and climate change... I advocated the Pacific Environment Community initiative which will enable Japan to address the issues in this area as equal partners with the Pacific island countries, and we agreed to nurture this initiative together. Second, from the viewpoint of human security Japan shall support the Pacific island countries in their endeavors to overcome challenges in such areas as education, water, and health. Thirdly, I also conveyed to the leaders that Japan shall act on a 'Kizuna Plan' with a view to stepping up people-to-people exchanges between Japan and the Pacific island countries. This plan aims to conduct youth exchanges involving more than 1,000 people, and to double the number of research students studying in Japan, among other things. This is a reflection of the importance Japan attaches to the Pacific island countries and Japan's strong desire to contribute to their nation-building and human resources development. I very much hope that through such cooperation the relations between Japan and the Pacific island countries and territories will be further enhanced." Prime Minister Aso, having completed the two-day itinerary, left Hokkaido for Tokyo.

Related Link

Photograph of the second session (1)

Photograph of the second session (1)

Photograph of the second session (2)

Photograph of the second session (2)

Photograph of the two co-chair leaders holding a press conference (1)

Photograph of the two co-chair leaders holding a press conference (1)

Photograph of the two co-chair leaders holding a press conference (2)

Photograph of the two co-chair leaders holding a press conference (2)

Photograph of the two co-chair leaders holding a press conference (3)

Photograph of the two co-chair leaders holding a press conference (3)

Photograph of the two co-chair leaders shaking hands after a press conference

Photograph of the two co-chair leaders shaking hands after a press conference

Related photos

Click photographs to enlarge

  • 2nd Day of the Fifth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM5)
  • Photograph of the second session (1)
  • Photograph of the second session (2)
  • Photograph of the two co-chair leaders holding a press conference (1)
  • Photograph of the two co-chair leaders holding a press conference (2)
  • Photograph of the two co-chair leaders holding a press conference (3)
  • Photograph of the two co-chair leaders shaking hands after a press conference