The Secretary General of the PIDF, François Martel together with the High Commissioner of the Solomon Islands in Fiji His Excellency Patteson Oti signed the Memorandum of Understanding formalizing the hosting by the Solomon Islands of all PIDF Leadership Meetings for 2016 and 2017 on 7th May, 2016. Altogether six high level meetings are scheduled to be hosted in Solomon Islands.
Under the Charter of the PIDF its ten member countries take turn to host the meetings of the PIDF. Fiji has been hosting all PIDF meetings to date. Solomon Islands has now offered to host leadership meetings of the PIDF beginning with the Leaders’ Summit in Honiara on 4 and 5 July 2016. Heads of Government of all its 10 member countries and heads of its two member regional organisations are expected to attend. The meetings are expected to coincide with national celebrations in the Solomon’s commemorating its independence.
Speaking after today’s signing, Secretary General Martel expressed appreciation for Solomon Islands offer to host the PIDF meetings this year and next:
“I am deeply grateful to the Government and the People of the Solomon Islands for their offer to host our leadership meetings for 2016 and 2017. Solomon Islands is a founding member of the PIDF and has been a good and reliable partner. With the MOU signed today our level of engagement with Solomon Islands will move to a higher plane now as we collaborate closely not only in preparations for our Leaders’ Summit in July this year but as we address some of the serious challenges before the region today.
Secretary General Martel departed for the Solomon Islands over the weekend to meet the Solomon Islands PM as the Solomon’s gears up for what will be its biggest international meeting to date.