PRESS STATEMENT 53/11

Monday 18th July 2011

The Prime Minister of Samoa, Honourable Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, in collaboration with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, will be hosting the second lecture of the “Pacific Islands Forum 40th Anniversary Leaders’ Lecture Series, with a focus on the Pacific Plan”.

The theme of the lecture will be “PACIFIC REGIONALISM: A tale of lessons, identity and boundless opportunities” with the Honorable Prime Minister giving the keynote address.

Log on to the Forum Secretariat’s website, at this page, to view the live broadcast of the lecture scheduled for Thursday 21st July, 2011, at the Tooa Salamasina Hall, Apia, from 3:00-4:30pm (Samoa time), or from your time zone as follows:

•   Canberra (Australia - ACT) - Friday, July 22, 2011 at 12:00:00 Noon
•   Sydney (Australia - New South Wales) - Friday, July 22, 2011 at 12:00:00 Noon
•   Brisbane (Australia - Queensland) - Friday, July 22, 2011 at 12:00:00 Noon
•   Melbourne (Australia - Victoria) - Friday, July 22, 2011 at 12:00:00 Noon
•   Rarotonga (Cook Islands) - Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 4:00:00 PM
•   Palikir (Micronesia) - Friday, July 22, 2011 at 1:00:00 PM
•   Suva (Fiji) - Friday, July 22, 2011 at 2:00:00 PM
•   Yaren (Nauru) - Friday, July 22, 2011 at 2:00:00 PM
•   Auckland (New Zealand) - Friday, July 22, 2011 at 2:00:00 PM
•   Wellington (New Zealand) - Friday, July 22, 2011 at 2:00:00 PM
•   Alofi (Niue) - Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 3:00:00 PM
•   Koror (Palau) - Friday, July 22, 2011 at 11:00:00 AM
•   Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea) - Friday, July 22, 2011 at 12:00:00 Noon
•   Majuro (Marshall Islands) - Friday, July 22, 2011 at 2:00:00 PM
•   Honiara (Solomon Islands) - Friday, July 22, 2011 at 1:00:00 PM
•   Nuku’alofa (Tonga) - Friday, July 22, 2011 at 3:00:00 PM
•   Funafuti (Tuvalu) - Friday, July 22, 2011 at 2:00:00 PM
•   Port Vila (Vanuatu) - Friday, July 22, 2011 at 1:00:00 PM

“The PIF 40th Anniversary Leaders’ Lecture series is an opportunity for Forum Leaders to mark a milestone moment for the region by addressing and expressing their personal and country viewpoints on the Pacific Plan,” said the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade.

The Pacific Plan is the master strategy agreed by Leaders in 2005 declaring their Vision for ‘a region of peace, harmony, security and economic prosperity, so that all of its people can lead free and worthwhile lives’.

“At this Anniversary year it is important for Pacific people to hear from Forum Leaders how we are faring with the Pacific Plan and its implementation, and whether it is setting the right directions for the region and the attainment of the Leaders’ Vision.”

(Ends)

For further information on the event please contact the Forum Secretariat’s Communications Officer, Mue Bentley Fisher via email: mueb@forumsec.org.fj or mobile +679 9998677.