The five Micronesian member states of the Pacific Island Forum decided to leave the organization when a Cook Islander was appointed as the new Secretary General last week.
The Presidents of Nauru, the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands and Palau issued a joint statement saying they would initiate the formal process of leaving the forum.
The heads of state and government jointly expressed their disappointment over the appointment process involving Micronesian candidate Gerald Zackios Overlooked.
They say that a gentleman’s agreement to change the top position of the forum under Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia was not honored when a majority of forum leaders selected Henry Puna from the Cook Islands.
Ref: https://www.rnz.co.nz
