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12th Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders to Convene in Honolulu in September 12th Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders to Convene in Honolulu in September

HONOLULU (Aug. 9, 2022) — The Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP) at the East-West Center will convene “Puʻuhonua: The Pacific Way Forward,” the 12th Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders (PICL), September 12-14, 2022 in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi.

The PICL Standing Committee, a body of senior officials from member countries and territories, met virtually on August 8, 2022 to confirm arrangements for the September conference. It will feature closed leaders’ meetings and dialogues, as well as plenary sessions, ceremonies, and side events which will be open to the public.

PICL is composed of 20 heads of government from independent Pacific Islands countries, as well as territories and the State of Hawaiʻi. PICL members include: American Sāmoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawaiʻi, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

PIDP has served as the Secretariat of PICL since 1980, convening presidents, prime ministers, governors, and other heads of government that comprise PICL membership to determine the regional priorities that inform PIDP’s work toward holistic, people-centered development.

“The 12th PICL is the first in-person conference of Pacific leaders that PIDP will convene since 2016,” said PIDP Interim Director Dr. Mary Therese Hattori. “This is an especially important gathering of leaders, regional organizations, and the broader public during a time of renewed regional unity, as the Pacific works toward collective action to confront critical issues such as climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, industry diversification, and geopolitical challenges. In ways that are more organic to our Island cultures, we are coming together and working toward a prosperous future for the Pacific and for Pacific Islanders.”

About the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders:
The Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders (PICL) summit was founded in 1980 by Hawaiʻi Gov. George Ariyoshi and Fijian statesman Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara as a forum for Pacific Islands leaders—regardless of political status and without formal intergovernmental protocol—to address shared issues, learn from each other’s experiences, and develop common approaches to policy. The summit also provides opportunities for the leaders to dialogue with US officials and experts.
 
About the Pacific Islands Development Program:
The Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP) conducts a broad range of activities to enhance the quality of life in the Pacific Islands. Based at the East-West Center in Honolulu, PIDP was formed in 1980 at the specific request of the region’s leaders to help advance their collective efforts to achieve and sustain equitable social and economic development. PIDP also serves as the Secretariat for the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders and is a member of the Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP).

HONOLULU (Aug. 9, 2022) — The Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP) at the East-West Center will convene “Puʻuhonua: The Pacific Way Forward,” the 12th Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders (PICL), September 12-14, 2022 in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi.

The PICL Standing Committee, a body of senior officials from member countries and territories, met virtually on August 8, 2022 to confirm arrangements for the September conference. It will feature closed leaders’ meetings and dialogues, as well as plenary sessions, ceremonies, and side events which will be open to the public.

PICL is composed of 20 heads of government from independent Pacific Islands countries, as well as territories and the State of Hawaiʻi. PICL members include: American Sāmoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawaiʻi, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

PIDP has served as the Secretariat of PICL since 1980, convening presidents, prime ministers, governors, and other heads of government that comprise PICL membership to determine the regional priorities that inform PIDP’s work toward holistic, people-centered development.

“The 12th PICL is the first in-person conference of Pacific leaders that PIDP will convene since 2016,” said PIDP Interim Director Dr. Mary Therese Hattori. “This is an especially important gathering of leaders, regional organizations, and the broader public during a time of renewed regional unity, as the Pacific works toward collective action to confront critical issues such as climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, industry diversification, and geopolitical challenges. In ways that are more organic to our Island cultures, we are coming together and working toward a prosperous future for the Pacific and for Pacific Islanders.”

About the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders:
The Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders (PICL) summit was founded in 1980 by Hawaiʻi Gov. George Ariyoshi and Fijian statesman Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara as a forum for Pacific Islands leaders—regardless of political status and without formal intergovernmental protocol—to address shared issues, learn from each other’s experiences, and develop common approaches to policy. The summit also provides opportunities for the leaders to dialogue with US officials and experts.
 
About the Pacific Islands Development Program:
The Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP) conducts a broad range of activities to enhance the quality of life in the Pacific Islands. Based at the East-West Center in Honolulu, PIDP was formed in 1980 at the specific request of the region’s leaders to help advance their collective efforts to achieve and sustain equitable social and economic development. PIDP also serves as the Secretariat for the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders and is a member of the Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP).