There are three candidates contesting for the post. These are the Foreign Minister of Cook Islands; the current Deputy Secretary Generals of the Forum, Mr. Feleti Teo of Tuvalu; and Mr. Tuiloma Neroni Slade of Samoa, a former Ambassador and Judge of the International Criminal Court.

All three candidates seem to have the necessary credentials for the post. However, it is likely that the race would be between the Tuvalu and Samoan Candidates.

It appears that the larger members of the Forum including the Melanesian states are leaning towards the Samoan candidate, while most of the Small Island States of the Forum will be going for the Tuvaluan candidate.

Whoever the Leaders appoint must be someone that must take the Forum forward to address the challenges facing the region's premier political organization, and capitalize on the opportunities.

The Leaders' retreat will conclude with the adoption of the Forum Communiqué, outlining the Leaders' decisions on the various issues they deliberated on.

Meanwhile, Climate Change has been a priority for the meeting.


PRESS RELEASE (SOLOMON ISLANDS DELEGATION)