Prime Minister Hon. James Marape arrived in Koror, Republic of Palau, late last night to attend the 55th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders’ Meeting, joining fellow Pacific leaders for the region’s premier annual gathering.

Prime Minister Marape and his delegation were welcomed on arrival ahead of a busy programme of Forum engagements, including leaders’ discussions on regional security, climate change, economic development, fisheries, ocean governance and implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Marape will reaffirm Papua New Guinea’s commitment to Pacific unity while promoting key national and regional initiatives, including the East New Britain Initiative (ENBi), which advocates for greater value-adding of Pacific fisheries within the region, and the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves (MOCOR), a landmark Melanesian initiative to connect and protect marine ecosystems across national boundaries while advancing Indigenous-led ocean governance, sustainable fisheries, climate resilience and the conservation of at least 30 per cent of Melanesia’s ocean spaces.

The Prime Minister will also reaffirm Papua New Guinea’s strong support for the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) as a Pacific-owned financing mechanism to strengthen resilience against climate change, sea-level rise and natural disasters, and continue advocating for the Pacific to remain an Ocean of Peace.

Prime Minister Marape said Papua New Guinea looked forward to working closely with fellow Pacific leaders to strengthen regional cooperation, safeguard the Pacific’s shared ocean resources and deliver practical outcomes that improve the lives of Pacific peoples.

Prime Minister Marape is expected to return to Papua New Guinea on Friday, 4 September 2026.