'I'm here to stay': Baron Waqa outlines vision for Pacific peace

The Pacific Islands Forum’s new secretary-general Baron Waqa has announced his vision and hopes for peace and unity in the region, two weeks after assuming the role.

Waqa, the controversial former Nauru president, became the first person from the Micronesian state to take the helm at the region's main political institution.

He replaced former Cook Islands prime minister Henry Puna, who some experts said did not have the option, as his predecessors, to extend his leadership of the Forum Secretariat into a second term.

The Pacific Islands Forum faced significant division and tension despite some reconciliation efforts such as Fiji successfully convincing Kiribati to retain its forum membership and the appointment of Waqa as secretary-general.

Waqa hosted representatives of PIF members, the diplomatic corp, heads of agencies of the Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP), and the Forum Observer Organisations and Civil Society at a ceremony in Suva this week.

"I come into this role, in full recognition of the expectation and the sensitivities that come with being a regional diplomat and civil servant. As I mentioned to the staff on my first day here at PIFS, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the region and our Pacific people.

“My vision for the region is for peace, harmony, and unity, where we as a Blue Pacific, are truly of one heart, mind, and accord - a region that promotes stability and security, with a culture of love and respect.

"Together we will stand strong and firm, and be an exemplary model of solidarity, support, and partnership. Our responsibility and obligation for each other’s safety, security, and well-being will be of paramount importance, under my leadership.”

Waqa said he was "here to stay", and called on forum members to encourage each other to achieve new heights in their national and collective regional goals, to lead to prosperity for all.

But he warned against becoming complacent, instead urging all stakeholders “to build and strengthen our bond, to ensure the achievement of our regional priorities and aspirations”.

Waqa thanked Puna for “his stewardship” of the organisation for the last three years, saying his predecessor’s achievements were numerous.

“This includes the endorsement of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, the 2050 Implementation Plan, the Revitalised Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration, and his instrumental role in bringing our region back together, to name, but a few,” Waqa said.

“Henry leaves a strong legacy, and I am committed to carrying this momentum, accelerating the implementation of our leaders’ priorities, in pursuit of our common vision.”

Former Pacific Islands Forum secretary-general Henry Puna says he will let history judge what the regional governing body achieved during his three-year tenure. Photo/supplied

Some experts said Puna sacrificed an extension to his tenure at the forum secretariat to heal a rift between PIF member nations and the Micronesian countries who had walked out of the governing regional body in 2021 following Puna’s appointment.

In his final news conference as secretary-general in May, Puna, the first Cook Islander to hold the position, said he would let history judge what the regional governing body achieved during his tenure.

He said he was proud of reunification and strengthening the Forum family and had one piece of advice for Waqa. “Do what's best for the region.”

Not everyone is against Waqa’s appointment. New Zealand, Australia, Cook Islands, and Fiji support the former Nauruan leader.

Associate Professor Sandra Tarte, Head of School and Director of Politics and International Affairs at the University of the South Pacific, said Waqa’s appointment was “obviously controversial” and came at a “very turbulent period in the Pacific Islands Forum and in Pacific Regionalism more generally.

“There were subsequent concerns expressed about his politics when he was the president of Nauru, including his treatment of the media and his treatment of civil society. So there were some calls that this [his appointment] be reconsidered and the whole process be reopened,” Tarte told Pacific Mornings’ William Terite.

“But of course, leaders came behind this decision. The forum secretary-general is like any position, you have to become the position, and your personality and your politics, and so on.

“He is like his predecessor, Henry Puna, a former head of government. So in a sense, he is among peers. This was not the case with the previous secretary-general, Dame Meg Taylor, she was a woman but not a former leader, and at times struggled in dealing with other leaders.

“Waqa should be able to stand his ground. And I think that is important in this role, that you need to be a strong and assertive secretary-general.”

Tarte said Waqa should be allowed to do his job.

“We have to go forward and the opportunity is here for him to step into this role at a time which is quite critical, you know, for the region. We are in challenging times. It will take somebody pretty, I think, special, you know, to lead the forum at this time.”

Waqa has a message for the forum’s development partners including Aotearoa and Australia.

He said PIF’s principles, vision, and hopes were extended beyond the oceanic borders of the Blue Pacific.

“To our key partners and development agencies, you will play a critical role in supporting our organizations to deliver for our people.

“We have come a long way, and the past few years have demonstrated your steadfast commitment to align yourselves with the 2050 Strategy and our regional frameworks.

“I urge you to continue working with us to align our programming, to streamline delivery for the member states we serve.”

Waqa visited the Solomon Islands last week and met with Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, who was elected in April.

Waqa is in Australia attending the 7th Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Independent Advisory Board meeting in Sydney. The PTI IAB 7 will consider business growth in the Blue Pacific and build opportunities for export-ready and investment-ready businesses.

Waqa will meet with CROP officials in Suva next week. His term ends in 2027.

Watch Baron Waqa get a traditional Fijian welcome at the Forum Secretariat in Suva.