The Pacific Islands Forum marks its 40th anniversary this year (2011). The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, to mark the occasion, has embarked on a programme of activities to celebrate the region’s development to date and to reflect on the future of the region and the various challenges it faces as it moves forward. The celebratory activities include a series of public lectures delivered by emminent Pacific Leaders on the journey of the Pacific Islands Forum from its inception to the present and their particular country’s vision for the future. Leaders will comment on the role and place of the Pacific Plan in delivering on their aspirations and on the development of the region within the last 40 years. Leaders will recall some of the challenges the Pacific Islands Forum has faced, and speak to the Pacific Plan’s role as a driver for regionalism, recognizing the role of regionalism in harnessing the collective strength of the region to meet past, present and future challenges.

The Forum Secretariat, in collaboration with the New Zealand Government, has also launched the Pacific Islands Forum 40th Anniversary regional art competition for schools. 

Click here to read about the Pacific Islands Forum 40th Anniversary logo.