Tahiti may host meeting to elect new PIF head

French Polynesia has offered to host a special Pacific Islands Forum meeting in October or November to elect the organisation’s next Secretary-General.

Dame Meg Taylor’s term at the helm of the Fiji-based body expires in mid-January, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic this year’s Forum summit in Vanuatu has been cancelled.

The offer was made by French Polynesian president Edouard Fritch in a video conference call with the Forum chair, Tuvalu’s Prime

Minister, Kausea Natano. Mr Fritch said a number of Forum members wanted a face-to-face meeting to choose Dame Meg’s successor, and if this could not be held in Brisbane or Auckland, French Polynesia might be able to help.

Mr Natano suggested last month that the election be put off until next year.

Mr Fritch said he agreed with the Forum plan to hold the next summit in Fiji next year and for Vanuatu to host it in 2023 instead.