Emmanuel Macron's first trip to French Polynesia should have taken place in 2020. But the health crisis had at the time forced the Head of State to modify his plans.

It is therefore finally Saturday afternoon (Sunday morning in Paris) that the President of the Republic arrived in Papeete, on the island of Tahiti.

He planned to start his four-day visit with a hospital and visit four islands.

Emmanuel Macron was welcomed by two Orero, Tekava Dauphin and Tuariki Teai, artists specializing in declamatory art in Tahitian.

The teenagers welcomed him by stressing that the Polynesian people “awaited his words” and “believed in hope”.

To the president who congratulated him and thanked him, Tuariki Teai replied "please" immersing him in a welcoming Polynesia where everyone is on the same terms.

Promote vaccination

This visit will obviously be marked by the health crisis. By meeting healthcare teams during his stay, the Head of State wants to "reaffirm national solidarity during the crisis", but also "to insist on the need for vaccination", assures the Elysee. If Polynesia is a community governed by a special statute dating from 2004 and which is competent in matters of health, it is on the State that crisis management and restrictive measures are based.

The other concern of the inhabitants is the poisoned legacy of the nuclear tests carried out by the French State from 1966 to 1996. The Collective of July 17 is planning at least three demonstrations during the visit of the Head of State.

The question is particularly sensitive.

"According to our data from the Social Security Fund (local social security, Editor's note), Polynesian women, between 40 and 50 years old, have the highest rate of thyroid cancer in the world", explains Patrick Galenon, former president of the SPC Board of Directors.

He also estimates that the CPS has spent 670 million euros for radiation-induced diseases since 1985, and wishes France to reimburse these expenses.

Candidacy of the Marquesas for World Heritage

"This is a request that seems legitimate to us for victims who have been the subject of compensation by the CIVEN (Compensation Committee for Victims of Nuclear Tests)", replied Olivier Véran at the beginning of July during the holding of a round table on the consequences of nuclear tests, in Paris.

The commitments mentioned during this round table should be specified by the Head of State.

Emmanuel Macron will also visit the island of Hiva Oa to support the Marquesas' candidacy for UNESCO World Heritage listing, and to the Manihi atoll in the Tuamotus where he will visit a hybrid power plant ( photovoltaic / diesel) which facilitated the electrification of the atoll.

He will have the opportunity to discuss the strategic importance of the archipelago, and also the climatic challenges it faces.

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  • Nuclear tests

  • Coronavirus

  • French Polynesia

  • Tahiti

  • Society

  • Emmanuel Macron