Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has joined Pacific Islands Forum leaders at the retreat on Peleliu yesterday during which they have also chosen a new Secretary-General.
Solomon Islands’ Dr. Jimmy Rodgers who was tipped as one of the leading contenders lost out to his Papua New Guinea competitor.
The appointment of the new Secretary-General was one of the key agendas of the 45th Forum Leaders Meeting.
Meanwhile during the margins of the PIF, Mr. Lilo had also made several bilateral meetings
In his meeting with United State Assistant Secretary of State, Dennise Mathiew she expressed her country’s sympathy to the victims of the April flash floods.
She also commended Prime Minister Lilo for the reforms that his Government has undertaken in the past years one of which is the biometric voters’ registration.
PM Lilo also met with New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully during which both leaders discussed issues of mutual interest between the two countries.
Mr. McCully has also praised Prime Minister Lilo for the reforms his Government has taken in the recent past.
Prime Minister Lilo took the opportunity to thank New Zealand for its assistance during the April flood.
He said New Zealand’s assistance had greatly assisted Solomon Islands to recover from the floods.
The New Zealand Government has also funded the shipment and the construction of the new baily bridge at Mataniko to replace the old one washed away as a result of the flood.
