Nauru formally submits denunciation from Forum
REPUBLIC OF NAURU
Government Information Office
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Friday, 9 April, 2021
Nauru formally submits
denunciation from Forum
Nauru formally submitted its
denunciation from the 2000 Agreement Establishing the Pacific
Islands Forum to the Government of the Republic of Fiji, in its
capacity as depositary of The Agreement, on 7 April 2021.
In accordance with Article XII,
paragraph 8, of The Agreement, "Any member government may denounce
this Agreement by notification addressed to the depositary
government and such denunciation shall take effect one year after
the day upon which the depositary government has received the
notification."
Nauru's withdrawal from the Pacific
Islands Forum originates from a decision during the Pacific Islands
Forum Leaders retreat on 3 February 2021 to appoint the Secretary
General through secret ballot - completely disregarding
Micronesia's call to honour the gentleman's agreement.
The gentleman's agreement is an
unwritten understanding among Forum member countries that the
position of Secretary-General is rotated among the sub-regions of
Melanesia, Polynesia and Micronesia. It is well-established
that this was Micronesia's turn. The last time that
Micronesia held the position of Secretary General was approximately
20 years ago.
Polynesia's candidate, Henry Puna won the ballot by one vote over
Micronesia's candidate Ambassador to the United States, Gerald
Zackios.
Nauru with the Federated States of
Micronesia, Republic of Palau, Republic of Marshall Islands and the
Republic of Kiribati expressed unity and solidarity through the
Mekreos Communiqué confirming that there is no value in remaining
with the Pacific Islands Forum if the gentleman's agreement is not
honoured.
The Micronesian Presidents met
virtually on 8 February 2021 five days after the Pacific Islands
Forum Leaders retreat and jointly agreed to denounce their
memberships of the Pacific Islands Forum Agreement 2000. The
leaders' joint decision stands on the principle that comes from the
Mekreos Communiqué.