40th Anniversary Lecture Series

The Pacific Plan was endorsed in 2005 for a period of 10 years; and I note here that Leaders recognised that the Plan would have to change to reflect new priorities in the region and could remain in place beyond 2015. The Pacific Plan was endorsed...

The Pacific Plan is supported by a number of objectives around four key pillars – economic growth, sustainable development, good governance and security.

In 2004, a Pacific Islands Forum Task Force was established to develop the Pacific Plan. It held consultations with a wide range of state and non-state actors, including Governments, Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) agencies,...

At the Auckland Forum in August 2003, Leaders agreed that there was a need to comprehensively review regionalism in the Pacific, including the role of the Secretariat and other regional agencies. This review was undertaken in early 2004 by an...

In 2000, the South Pacific Forum changed its name to the Pacific Islands Forum, reflecting its expanding membership.

At the 1988 Leaders meeting in Tonga, Leaders endorsed a change in name from SPEC to the Forum Secretariat.

Key issues discussed at that first meeting held in Wellington in early August 1971 included regional trade, shipping, aviation, as well as nuclear testing.  It was attended by the President of Nauru, the Prime Ministers of Western Samoa, Tonga...

In 1973, the South Pacific Bureau for Economic Cooperation (SPEC) was established as the Secretariat to the Pacific Islands Forum.

The South Pacific Forum was established in 1971 reflected the desire of Pacific leaders to deepen their engagement and discussion on political issues of significance to the newly independent states of the Pacific.