Honiara, Solomon Islands – From September 8-12, His Excellency President Wesley W. Simina, on behalf of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), joined Pacific leaders in endorsing a series of historic agreements at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Honiara. These outcomes – the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) Treaty, Ocean of Peace Declaration and Forum Communiqué – are milestones for regional unity and resilience.
President Simina and fellow leaders signed the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) Treaty, establishing the Pacific’s first community-owned financing mechanism to strengthen resilience against climate change and disasters. President Simina emphasizes that the PRF reflects “Pacific leadership at its best—designed by us, for us, to protect our communities.” He also affixed his signature to endorsing the Ocean of Peace Declaration, reaffirming the Blue Pacific’s shared vision of safeguarding the region as a zone of peace and stability, and stressed the FSM’s commitment to advancing peace and cooperation in an evolving strategic environment while ensuring the Pacific voice remains united and strong.
The Forum Leaders’ Communiqué adopted in Honiara included a clear regional commitment to reducing methane emissions—a priority consistently championed by FSM. Methane is a short-lived climate pollutant with outsized impact on global warming, and action to cut methane is essential to preserving the survival of island nations.
President Simina stated: “Today the Pacific has spoken with one voice. By signing these outcomes, we are showing the world that small island states are not only united, but leading in securing our future. The commitment to reduce methane emissions reflects the urgency our people live with daily. I am proud that the Federated States of Micronesia has helped shape this agenda for the survival of our Blue Pacific.”
The methane commitment also holds wider global significance as the Pacific Islands Forum has endorsed Australia’s bid to co-host COP31 in partnership with Pacific nations. President Simina emphasized that for COP31 to truly be a “Pacific COP,” the host nation must demonstrate climate ambition that matches the urgency of Pacific priorities. “Australia’s bid to host COP31 with the Pacific carries responsibility. The commitment we have secured here in Honiara on methane is a benchmark. Pacific leaders will expect this ambition to be matched by the host country and reflected in COP31 outcomes. Our communities cannot afford half-measures—this is about survival,” he said.
Through his direct participation in Honiara, President Simina reaffirmed the FSM’s pledge to actively implement the PRF Treaty, uphold the Ocean of Peace Declaration, and advance ambitious climate action. The FSM will continue to work with Forum members and international partners to turn these commitments into concrete outcomes for Pacific peoples and to ensure COP31 delivers meaningful results.
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