More Pacific leaders have arrived in the Cook Islands to participate in the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM52), which begins today with the Pacific subregional meetings followed by the official opening tonight.

On Saturday afternoon, the Premier of Niue, Dalton Tagelagi, and the President of French Polynesia, Moetai Brotherson, both arrived within a 30-minute window and were warmly welcomed by Deputy Prime Minister Robert Tapaitau.

The President of Palau, Surangel Whipps Jr., arrived on Saturday evening. Some leaders arrived on Friday and others were scheduled to arrive late last night.

Brotherson of the pro-independence Tāvini Huiraʻatira party was elected president of French Polynesia in May this year for a five-year term.

The President of French Polynesia, Moetai Brotherson, his wife and Pa Marie Ariki at the Pa Ariki Palace reception on Saturday. MELINA ETCHES/23110422

On Saturday afternoon, Brotherson and his delegation were graciously hosted by Pa Marie Ariki and family at the Pa Ariki Palace.

During his address, Brotherson said, “We are all working to have the interest of our people at heart.”

He expressed that the Pacific region is at the centre of this vast ocean and “many influential powers are observing us, recognising the resources and the potential we have”.

“So we have to be cautious, we have to keep in mind that we have to put our people’s interests first,” Brotherson said while reminding major international players of this fundamental principle.

Deputy Prime Minister Robert Tapaitau welcomes the Premier of Niue, Dalton Tagelagi, and President of French Polynesia, Moetai Brotherson, at Rarotonga Airport for the 52 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting. MELINA ETCHES/23110423

Prime Minister Mark Brown, who is also the chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, held bilateral talks with President Brotherson, Premier Tagelagi, President Louis Mapou of New Caledonia and H.E. Dennis Francis, the 78^th President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), over the weekend.

“A great start to bilateral discussions with President Brotherson from French Polynesia, our closest neighbour. I look forward to his chairing of the Polynesian Leaders Group (PLG) session,” Brown said in a statement.

The Prime Minister said it was “good to catch up with Premier Tagelagi, a regular visitor to our shores, and we both affirmed our desire for a successful Forum”.

“I look forward myself to reciprocating his visit, perhaps next year when Niue celebrates a half a century of sovereignty.”

Earlier yesterday afternoon PM Brown met with H.E. Francis.

“Our bilateral discussed the challenges of small island states and we have much in common to share with UN President who is from Trinidad and Tobago. I look forward to his opening address at COP28 in Dubai on addressing the threats of climate change.”

On his meeting with the President of New Caledonia, Brown said: “(President Mapou) was able to join me at Church this (yesterday) morning and reflected that Christianity was brought to his country by a Pastor from the island of Aitutaki. This week’s retreat will be a very personal journey for him. I look forward to supporting New Caledonia’s aspirations as a new member of the ‘Forum Family’.”

The Pacific Islands Forum’s vision is: “A resilient Pacific region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion, and prosperity that ensures all Pacific people can lead free, healthy, and productive lives”.

The meeting is being hosted by the Cook Islands in Rarotonga and Aitutaki from November 6 to 10 and involves representatives from 18 member countries.

The Leaders Meeting will involve engaging with dialogue partners from around the world.

Today is the opening of the Leaders Meeting starting with meetings at 10am: Pacific Sub-Regional Meetings: Melanesian Spearhead Group, Micronesian Presidential Summit, Nautilus Resort; Polynesia Leaders Group, Te Ara Museum. At 2pm, the Smaller Island States (SIS) Leaders Meeting at Te Are Pua Community Centre in Takuvaine; At 6pm the PIFLM52 Official Opening at the National Auditorium, Avarua; 7.15pm – 9pm Forum Chair Welcome Dinner for Forum Member Leaders, Tamarind House; 7.15pm - 9pm Forum Chair Welcome Dinner for Forum Delegates and Public Reception at the national Auditorium Domes.