Three more countries intend to open diplomatic missions in Suva

Samoa and Cook Islands intend to establish diplomatic missions in Suva next year. Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama made the revelation after the Leaders Retreat in Funafuti, Tuvalu on Thursday.

Palau intends to follow.

This is good news for people from these countries who live, work and study in Fiji. They can easily access help from their governments.

Forum a success: leaders

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has hailed the 50th Pacific Islands Forum meeting a success. Vanuatu’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Ralph Regenvanu has expressed similar sentiments.

Mr Morrison highlighted the relationship that Pacific Island countries shared. He said the forum was like a family gathering.

Concerns over war wrecks

Pacific Island leaders have expressed concerns over the potential threat of contamination from war wrecks and unexploded ordinances.

These are in relation to the health and security of the Pacific ocean and her people.

In a Forum Communique they acknowledged the importance of addressing the longstanding issues of nuclear testing legacy in the Pacific.

“The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres raised concerns about the nuclear waste storage facility on Runit Island, Enewetak Atoll, Marshall Islands as ‘a kind of coffin’ and warned of health consequences to the local communities resulting from the nuclear tests.” The communique said.

Leaders have reiterated their ongoing concern on nuclear contamination issues in the Marshall Islands, and particularly in respect of the nuclear test site at Runit and to increase its monitoring and to address health consequences related to the nuclear testing programme.