Prime Minister Mark Brown says he is disappointed that no prior consultation was made with the Cook Islands regarding Henry Puna’s exit as secretary-general from the Pacific Islands Forum in June.

Puna is expected to leave the post after just 18 months in the Forum’s top job, in order to stop the key regional diplomatic body from splitting. 

The move comes after a bitter leadership contest held last year which saw Puna narrowly defeat Micronesia’s candidate, Gerard Zackios.

Disappointed by the outcome, the nations of Palau, Nauru Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia gave themselves a timetable of one year to complete the process and withdraw from the organisation.

On Saturday, the president of the Federated States of Micronesia, David Panuelo, announced the move had been paused until June with the expectation that Puna would “step down”.

Panuelo said the decision had been made in agreement with other members at the Micronesian President’s Summit which was held last Friday.

However, in a statement released yesterday, Prime Minister Mark Brown said any discussions relating to Puna stepping aside are “premature and puzzling”.

He said: “The Cook Islands is aware that media reports and statements are circulating that the Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna is to step down before June 2022 purportedly as part of an undertaking between Micronesia and other Forum Members.”

Brown said he understands that no such arrangement has been agreed to by the Forum Members and that any discussions relating to Puna stepping aside would need to involve the Cook Islands.

He also confirmed he has not participated in any discussions with the Chair (Fiji), Micronesia, or any other Pacific Leaders relating to Puna’s stepping down.

“It is disappointing that such a proposal has been disclosed via the media without prior consultation with the Cook Islands and fellow Pacific leaders,” he said.

“The Cook Islands remains committed to the decision made by Leaders in 2021.”

According to the PM, any decision for Puna to step aside would need careful consideration and assent by the Cook Islands Government before being put forward to all Forum Leaders. Cook Islands had nominated Puna for the Forum role.

However, he says this process has not happened with his office “unsure” of what undertakings have been proposed to Micronesia at this stage.

The Cook Islands’ current position is that the non-Micronesian Leaders in the Forum submitted a reform package to Micronesia last year and non-Micronesian Leaders are waiting for an official response to this before determining the next steps.

Brown said: “Until we receive notification from the Chair on the status of this proposal, any discussions relating to the SG stepping aside are premature and puzzling. The Cook Islands looks forward to working with the Chair and all Leaders in resolving the current impasse.”

Meanwhile the Prime Minister has welcomed the decision by the Micronesian Leaders to “pause” their withdrawal from the Pacific Islands Forum to enable additional time for further dialogue in seeking a resolution to the current situation.

“As one of the founding Members, the Cook Islands are acutely aware of the history and standing of the Forum that has been a critical part of our Pacific identity for 50 years.

“The Cook Islands has always supported the sanctity of Leaders’ decisions and the Pacific way of dialogue, respect, and consensus.”

• Additional reporting ABC