Earlier today, the Melanesian Spearhead Group Caucus appointed me as a Special Envoy to address the West Papua issue.

Alongside Prime Minister James Marape of Papua New Guinea (PNG), we’ve been tasked with meeting the President of Indonesia to discuss this pressing matter.

This significant decision emerged during today’s MSG Caucus meeting when I proposed sending a representative to Indonesia to foster dialogue on the West Papua situation.

This initiative is an extension of my ongoing efforts to promote the Pacific as a zone of peace, a concept rooted in my campaign motto, “let love shine,” which aims to unite and harmonize Fiji.

The MSG Caucus collectively agreed that sending a ministerial envoy, rather than a bureaucratic-level envoy, would be the most effective approach to address the West Papua issue.

This decision aligns with the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders’ 2019 resolution, advocating for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to conduct a mission in West Papua and the Papuan Provinces.

In previous discussions at the MSG Leaders Meeting, we concurred that the most appropriate platform to address human rights concerns is the United Nations, specifically through the UN Human Rights Council. This stance corresponds with the position of PIF Member States, which reaffirm Indonesia’s sovereignty over West Papua.

I am committed to working toward a peaceful resolution to this issue and look forward to engaging in constructive discussions with Indonesia to address the matter at hand.