38th Pacific Leaders Forum Opens in Tonga
PRESS STATEMENT(221/07)
16th October 2007 38th PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM OPENS IN TONGA The 38th Pacific Islands Forum has opened in Nuku’alofa, the capital of the Kingdom of Tonga with cultural performances by hundreds of school children who braved the rain to welcome His Majesty King George Tupou V and Forum Leaders from the 16 member countries of the Forum. His Majesty King George Tupou V officially opened the Leaders Summit. In a speech to officially handover the chairmanship of the Forum, Rt Hon. Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea spoke on the positive progress that has been made in implementing the aspirations of the region as expressed in the Pacific Plan despite the challenges. “The Pacific Plan is an ambitious undertaking, but we must strive to fully realize the related benefits that we, as Forum Leaders, have envisaged for our peoples. The ultimate objective of our regional cooperate efforts has always been better their lives and well-being,” says Sir Michael. “We have embarked on a challenging task of pooling our resources to make a genuine difference at the country-level. Our countries have generally been able to demonstrate the capacity to help each other, and we must continue to foster the reservoir of goodwill and understanding that prevails among us.” Sir Michael however had a word of caution for the region. “Our good intentions will come to naught, if our actions are not predicated on respect for the sovereignty of each of our member states,” says Sir Michael. On the situation in Fiji following the events of 5th December 2006, Sir Michael said it is important that the region work together in the usual Pacific Way to find a way forward in the best interest of the people of Fiji. “A member of our family needs our understanding and assistance to bring it back to the fold. We would not be doing justice to our objectives if we sought solely punitive action for member of the family,” says Sir Michael. Sir Michael said the work of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) will also be of vital importance saying many of the Forum members have contribute to the Mission because of their genuine desire to help the people of Solomon Islands and the desire has not waned. “Our regional efforts to help will be greatly strengthened if we continue to enjoy the support of the host government. Areas of discord in the conduct of RAMSI must be addressed seriously,” says Sir Michael. The new Chairman of the Forum and Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon. Dr. Feleti Sevele told the gathering that while many of the objectives of the Pacific Plan have been accomplished in its first two years, “there is a lot more that we need to work on in order to strengthen the more difficult aspects of our regional cooperation.” “At the same time we need to recognize that many of the Pacific Plan’s objectives – as so many of our other aspirations will only be fully realized on the basis of sustained efforts over a number of years,” Mr Sevele said. He paid tribute to the founding fathers of the Forum for the farsighted vision in establishing the Forum as a strong regional political family through which the small and vulnerable Pacific Island States could pool their resources. After the opening of the 38th Forum today, the Forum Leaders held a plenary session and will travel to the northern island of Vava’u for their retreat. ENDS. For more information, contact Mr Johnson Honimae, Forum Media Officer on phones: 676 26119, 26128 or email: johnsonh@forumsec.org.fj |
2007