Henry Puna

Former Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum. Former Prime Minister of the Cook Islands.

[Henry Puna @henrytpuna]

There have been tens of thousands of miles covered in a busy term as the Forum SG, championing our Pacific Way.

My final national mission as SG Puna takes me home this week - indeed a special moment to farewell and thank Forum Chair @MarkBrownPM and also team #CookIslands!

[Henry Puna @henrytpuna]

Pleased to speak today on the Forum leaders ongoing support for free media.
Media are a core partner in #Teieniwa Pacific unity against corruption for a stronger and more resilient Pacific.
Very pleased to join Fiji AG, Justice Minister Hon. Siromi Turaga for Fiji media #WPFD.

[Henry Puna @henrytpuna]

#ClimateJustice
It was great to begin the working week with faith leaders from the Pacific Conference of Churches, #Tuvalu Minister for Climate, and our regional activists and diplomats, setting our spiritual compass firmly on our stewardship of this sea of islands. #Otintaai

[Henry Puna @henrytpuna]

#PacificSovereignty
The people who power our #PacificWay were front of mind today as we celebrated with @RMI_Fiji and RMI @USPSA_ guests, marking RMI's 45th Independence anniversary.
Kommol tata to Terry Keju, Deputy Chief of Mission at the #RMI Embassy in Fiji, and your team!

[Henry Puna @henrytpuna]

When the UK’s top diplomat to Oceania brings a team of more than 25 fellow Brits to Suva for face time and commitments to deepen work with, in, and for the Blue Pacific, you better believe it.

A delight to welcome HE @VickiTreadell and UK’s diplomatic Corps to Fiji!

[Henry Puna @henrytpuna]

It was a pleasure to meet #ESCAP Executive Secretary, UN Under-Secretary General Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, at # CS80 this week to discuss Pacific priorities and updates on #Pacific2050 implementation.

Thank you @UNESCAP @UN_Armida for your commitment to 2050 collaboration.

[Armida Alisjahbana @UN_Armida]

Great to meet with @henrytpuna, SG of @ForumSEC, to discuss common issues for all #SIDS like climate change, cybersecurity & #ResilienceForAll. Plus, @UNESCAP's support for trade, investment, #Pacific2050 strategy & collaboration on the upcoming #SIDS4 conference. #CS80

[Henry Puna @henrytpuna]

Elections that are free and fair are the cornerstone of our Pacific democracies.

I have great respect for those who put up their hands and hearts to lead.

Best wishes to 420,000-plus voters and 333 candidates in #SolomonIslands polls today.

Your vote is truly your voice.

[Henry Puna @henrytpuna]

It's great to feel the sense of excitement building in #Samoa as it prepares to create Pacific history this October and welcome Commonwealth leaders to Apia for #CHOGM2024.

Welcomed the opportunity to update PM, Afioga Fiame Naomi Mata'afa on the #Pacific2050 journey.

[Henry Puna @henrytpuna]

Happy #CommonwealthDay2024 to our Pacific members!

Within the @ForumSEC and Commonwealth, our Leaders continue to seek resilience and prosperity -- the ‘One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth’ theme definitely resonates as #Samoa hosts #CHOGM this October.

[Henry Puna @henrytpuna]

Vinaka to the women who serve the region from our Secretariat, our global offices, and across the #CROP family.

We know there's much to be done.

Today and every day, your work brings us a step closer to a #Pacific2050, where we leave no one behind.

Thank you.

#IWD2024

[Henry Puna @henrytpuna]

Our hearts and prayers go to the people of Papua New Guinea at this time.

There are no words to capture the magnitude of grief and terror for this tragic and horrific loss.

A sobering moment for our Blue Pacific continent.

#wansolwara

[Henry Puna @henrytpuna]

Unlocking economic and investment potential to achieve growth across our #BluePacificContinent is a key part of the work led by our #PacificTradeInvest teams - an informative catchup with the PTI board and leaders at their virtual meet today.

[Henry Puna @henrytpuna]

Started the week with a welcome to Virginia Dawson, our new PIF Director Policy. Hailing from NZ, Director Dawson joins our senior management team, supporting strategic leadership and focus across key areas of #security, #gender, social policy in #Pacific2050 implementation.

[Henry Puna @henrytpuna]

Our Pacific regional organisations are the engine room for effective coordination and partnerships for our #Pacific2050 implementation Plan.

Also welcomed the new CEO for Pacific Aviation Safety Office, Silimanai Ueta Solomona, to the 58th session - our first for the year.

[Henry Puna @henrytpuna]

Even the birds of Nasonini chimed in for our first flag day celebs of the year - Happy #AustraliaDay team #Australia!

[IPCC @IPCC_CH]

“#ClimateChange is the most pressing, genuinely global threat”, stressed #IPCC Chair @JimSkeaIPCC at the today's opening of the 60th Session of IPCC in Istanbul.

“There is not a moment to spare. Options to address climate change available to us today will not be there tomorrow.”

[Henry Puna @henrytpuna]

This evening from Suva I am sending an ocean of #1pt5 solidarity, mana and hope to our climate champions holding the line for our #oneBluePacific and our #OneBluePlanet. We see you, we thank you.
#COP28 you must deliver.

The world is watching.
We cannot delay #climatejustice

[AOSIS @AOSISChair]

AOSIS is gearing up for a battle. We will be sticking to our guns on our long-held positions on climate change and the deadly consequences that it has brought to our islands. At this hour, our negotiators are locked in discussions as the remaining hours of #COP28 will be crucial.

[Henry Puna @henrytpuna]

Great to reconnect with @UNESCAP Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana in the walkways of @COP28_UAE - looking forward to more #Pacific2050 partnerships in 2024!

[Henry Puna @henrytpuna]

Who can forget the standout statement made to leaders at #COP26 in Glasgow on the power of words?

Great to meet climate champion for Pacific Youth Ms @Brianna_Fruean here at #COP28

The urgency of #1pt5 to stay alive is clear.

2023 must deliver what Paris agreed in 2015!