Written by Moderated by East-West Center President Suzanne Vares-Lum and featuring PICL Chair, His Excellency President David W. Panuelo of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Honorable Governor David Ige of the State of Hawaiʻi
The Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders (PICL), a council of 20 member governments, was founded in 1980 by Hawaiʻi Gov. George Ariyoshi and Fijian Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara as a forum for Pacific Islands leaders—regardless of political status and without formal intergovernmental protocol—to address shared issues, learn from each other’s experiences, and develop common approaches to policy.