Palau welcomes the Pacific

In a spectacular opening ceremony of the 2025 Pacific Mini Games last night [Sunday, June 29th], all 23 participating nations and territories were welcomed by the host country, Palau.

This is the second time Palau has hosted the Pacific Mini Games; the first was in 2005.

Making his speech at the opening ceremony, President of Palau, Surangel Whipps Jr welcomed the Pacific on behalf of the government and people of Palau.

He told everyone at the opening ceremony, including Team PNG, that the gathering is special, as it unites the Pacific in one location despite the international boundaries and oceans that divide all.

"In this moment we are not separated by borders or distance but united by our shared dreams and our love of sport," President Whipps Jr said.

The President also acknowledged their key international partners in Taiwan for upgrading sports facilities, Japan for strengthening the power grid, USA for transforming schools to residential facilities, and Australia for security cooperation, airline connections, and media assistance for broadcasting.

Meanwhile, President of the Pacific Games Council Vidhya Lakhan confirmed last night at the opening ceremony that the 2025 Pacific Mini-Games is the biggest since the mini games concept begun in 1981.

"I was informed that when the numbers were finalised, just under 2000 athletes are here and that's the biggest so far," he added.

Lakhan also urged all visiting delegations to respect the local culture and embrace the spirit of unity for the games [June 29th to July 9th].

The nations and territories represented at the 12th edition of the Pacific-Mini Games include American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, FSM, Fiji, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Northern Marianas, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna and hosts Palau.

As the host nation, Palau has the largest continent with 222 athletes and officials, Team PNG with the second largest contingent of 185 athletes and officials and Tahiti with the third largest contingent of 180 athletes and officials.