Papeete, Tahiti

Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) President Baklai Temengil has called on Oceania's sporting leaders to deepen regional collaboration and strengthen strategic alignment as the region prepares for the unprecedented opportunity presented by the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

Opening the 2026 Oceania Sport Annual General Meeting in Papeete earlier this week, President Temengil congratulated Oceania Sport on the development of its 2025-2028 Strategic and Operational Plan, describing it as a practical and forward-looking roadmap that aligns closely with ONOC's own Strategic Plan 2025-2028.

Addressing Regional Federations, National Olympic Committees and sporting leaders from across the Pacific, President Temengil said the region had reached an important point where strategic alignment was no longer aspirational but essential.

"Our organisations may have different mandates, but we share one purpose - strengthening sport across Oceania by placing athletes at the centre of everything we do," President Temengil said.

"These are not competing priorities. They are complementary. Together, our Strategic Plans provide a clear framework for strengthening our sporting system across the Blue Pacific."

President Temengil said the close alignment between the two organisations would enable Regional Federations and National Olympic Committees to work more effectively together in supporting athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and sporting organisations throughout Oceania.

She highlighted advocacy, governance, leadership, capacity building and sustainability as shared priorities, while reaffirming ONOC's commitment to working alongside Oceania Sport, the Pacific Games Council and international partners to maximise opportunities for the region.

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A key focus of her address was Brisbane 2032, which she described as the greatest sporting opportunity Oceania has ever experienced.

"For the first time, the Olympic Games will truly be on Oceania's doorstep," she said.

"The legacy of Brisbane 2032 will not be measured only by medals. It will be measured by the strength of our organisations, the capability of our people and the opportunities we create today for future generations."

President Temengil also outlined ONOC's ongoing organisational Reset and Fit-for-Purpose programme, noting that stronger governance, financial stewardship and operational excellence would better position the organisation to support National Olympic Committees and strengthen athlete pathways throughout the region.

She encouraged sporting leaders to use the Annual General Meeting as an opportunity to make bold, collective decisions that would leave a lasting legacy for Pacific sport.

Concluding her address, President Temengil reaffirmed ONOC's commitment to genuine partnership across the Olympic Movement and the wider sporting community.

"By combining the leadership of our Regional Federations with the strength of our National Olympic Committees, we can build a stronger, more connected and more sustainable sporting system across our Blue Pacific.

"Together, let us ensure Brisbane 2032 becomes not only Australia's Games, but truly a Home Games for Oceania."

The 2026 Oceania Sport Annual General Meeting is being held in Papeete, Tahiti, alongside the Pacific Games Council General Assembly, bringing together leaders from across the Pacific sporting movement for a week of strategic discussions on governance, regional collaboration and athlete development.

The meetings also mark an important milestone as the region prepares for the one-year countdown to the Tahiti 2027 Pacific Games, reinforcing a shared commitment to delivering a successful Games and building lasting benefits for sport across Oceania on the road to Brisbane 2032.