Another diplomatic achievement: Israel joins the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) as a Forum Partner. The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Baron Divavesi Waqa, has informed me that Israel has been accepted as a Forum Partner, following a decision at the meeting of the Forum’s member state leaders in Palau. This follows my visit to Fiji in June, where I met with the Secretary General and presented Israel’s request to join the Forum. Strengthening ties with the Pacific Island nations is one of my objectives. Earlier this year, I opened Israel’s Embassy in Fiji, which also serves nine other Pacific Island nations, all friendly to Israel. Under the current government, three of these countries, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Nauru, have opened embassies in Jerusalem. As a Forum Partner, Israel will participate in a framework for cooperation in areas of mutual interest, based on regional priorities and Israel’s expertise in water management, desalination, agriculture, tackling climate change, innovation and sustainable development. Israel and the Forum will also develop a joint action plan setting out practical areas of cooperation and a mechanism to monitor progress.