RAMSI commended for success as regional initiative
PRESS STATEMENT (43/09)
Thursday 16th July 2009
FORUM SECRETARY GENERAL PRAISES SUCCESS OF RAMSI
The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has been commended for its success as a regional initiative of the Pacific Islands Forum since it started in July 2003.
RAMSI is a regional activity under the Biketawa Declaration supported by all members of the Pacific Islands Forum. It is being lead by Australia and New Zealand. It was put together following the invitation of the then Solomon Islands Government after several years of unrest in the country.
In his opening remarks to the Pre-Forum Session of the Forum Officials Committee which began at the Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji today, Forum Secretary General Tuiloma Neroni Slade said there was cause to celebrate the special regional experience of RAMSI.
“I am very pleased to acknowledge significant and continuing progress in strengthening relations between the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) and the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), particularly the new SIG/RAMSI Partnership Framework recently endorsed by the Solomon Islands Cabinet,” Mr Slade said.
“The continued success of this unique regional partnership under the Biketawa Declaration continues to draw on the support of all Forum member countries and remains an outstanding achievement on our regional security agenda.”
Mr Slade also used the occasion to inform FOC, which is the governing council of the Forum Secretariat, of the corporate reforms that the Secretariat is implementing in reaction to both the challenge and opportunity for the Secretariat to perform better.
“They are reforms that respond to your interest and concern for the Secretariat to be more strategic and focused and to be smarter in undertaking its core functions.”
The reforms include a new Corporate Plan 2008 – 2012 and four Programme Strategic Plans for 2009 – 2011 covering the four programmes of the Secretariat. There are also reforms in the Secretariat’s accounting systems, financial and staff regulations, risk management and its monitoring and reporting framework.
Besides security issues and activities under the Biketawa Declaration, the two-day FOC meeting will also discuss the Secretariat’s Annual Work Programme and Budget for 2010. The Secretariat is also tabling a Revised 2009 Budget which will show the financial plans supporting the operations of the Secretariat during this year.
ENDS.
Thursday 16th July 2009
FORUM SECRETARY GENERAL PRAISES SUCCESS OF RAMSI
The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has been commended for its success as a regional initiative of the Pacific Islands Forum since it started in July 2003.
RAMSI is a regional activity under the Biketawa Declaration supported by all members of the Pacific Islands Forum. It is being lead by Australia and New Zealand. It was put together following the invitation of the then Solomon Islands Government after several years of unrest in the country.
In his opening remarks to the Pre-Forum Session of the Forum Officials Committee which began at the Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji today, Forum Secretary General Tuiloma Neroni Slade said there was cause to celebrate the special regional experience of RAMSI.
“I am very pleased to acknowledge significant and continuing progress in strengthening relations between the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) and the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), particularly the new SIG/RAMSI Partnership Framework recently endorsed by the Solomon Islands Cabinet,” Mr Slade said.
“The continued success of this unique regional partnership under the Biketawa Declaration continues to draw on the support of all Forum member countries and remains an outstanding achievement on our regional security agenda.”
Mr Slade also used the occasion to inform FOC, which is the governing council of the Forum Secretariat, of the corporate reforms that the Secretariat is implementing in reaction to both the challenge and opportunity for the Secretariat to perform better.
“They are reforms that respond to your interest and concern for the Secretariat to be more strategic and focused and to be smarter in undertaking its core functions.”
The reforms include a new Corporate Plan 2008 – 2012 and four Programme Strategic Plans for 2009 – 2011 covering the four programmes of the Secretariat. There are also reforms in the Secretariat’s accounting systems, financial and staff regulations, risk management and its monitoring and reporting framework.
Besides security issues and activities under the Biketawa Declaration, the two-day FOC meeting will also discuss the Secretariat’s Annual Work Programme and Budget for 2010. The Secretariat is also tabling a Revised 2009 Budget which will show the financial plans supporting the operations of the Secretariat during this year.
ENDS.
