The Pacific Prosperity Exhibit officially opened Aug. 27 at the Palau National Gym ahead of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.
The exhibit brings together the resident embassies of Palau to showcase their partnerships, programs, and ongoing work in Palau and across the Pacific region. Through displays highlighting development cooperation, education, health, infrastructure, climate resilience, maritime security, people-to-people exchanges, and other shared priorities, the exhibit reflects the strength of Pacific partnerships and a common commitment to a more prosperous, resilient, and secure Blue Pacific, the Office of the President of Palau said.
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung of Taiwan attended the event as did President Surangel S. Whipps Jr., Palauan officials, and representatives from the US, Japan and Australia.
A number of U.S. representatives are attending the forum. These include Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau who will also visit the Federated States of Micronesia, the Solomon Islands, and Kiribati after the Forum.
Also attending the forum are U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday U.S. Pacific Command Deputy Commander Lieutenant Gen. George Rowell and U.S. Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary William Hague, according to Landau’s office.
Other representatives at the Pacific Island Forum include State Minister for Foreign Affairs Horii Iwao, who will attending the Pacific Islands Forum Dialogue Partners Meeting, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is attending. New Zealand is represented at the Pacific Islands Forum by Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Peters represents the New Zealand government during the initial leaders' gatherings and meetings. Luxon will attend the high-level Pacific Leaders' Retreat portions of the forum. The European Union and various European countries will be represented according to media reports.
The Solomon Islands prime minister, Matthew Wale, will not attend due to a political situation at home. Other South Pacific leaders absent at the event are Fiji’s prime minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, and Vanuatu’s Jotham Napat, will also not be attending, nor will the Samoan leader, La’auli Leuatea Schmidt. mbj
