SG's Opening Remarks, PPAC 31 March 2009
SECRETARY GENERAL’S OPENING REMARKS
AT THE
PACIFIC PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING
Forum Secretariat, Suva
31 March – 1 April 2009
Your Excellency, Madam Chair
Members
Associate Members
Heads and representatives of CROP
This is the home of the Forum, and on behalf of the Secretariat I welcome you all to this the first Pacific Plan Action Committee meeting for 2009.
Overview:
1. We come together, in collective effort, to progress the implementation of the Pacific Plan. As a Standing Officials Committee for Forum Leaders, you know only too well the opportunities that successful implementation of the Pacific Plan offers all Pacific Island Countries and Territories. You will also be aware, perhaps more than most, of the continuing challenges that we face in realising this objective.
2. With the experience of the past three years it seems to me that the Pacific Plan has become more than just a ‘plan.’ Ambitious in scope and strategic by nature, the decision to consolidate existing and planned regional initiatives in one framework was truly a ground breaking step. Despite its detractors, the Pacific Plan remains distinctive in its ambition, and possibly unique of its kind. It represents, today, a symbol of our regional efforts to work through partnership in addressing issues that challenge the region’s pursuit of prosperity, sustainability, and security for all Pacific peoples. More importantly, the Pacific Plan has become the entry point for action on strengthening regional cooperation and integration - an endeavour with which our region has a long, and for the greater part in my view, a successful track record.
3. As the work of this Committee has demonstrated over the last three years, oversight of the Pacific Plan has involved the tackling of issues that few are willing to address. This work has not been easy and, if I may, I offer to you, Madam chairperson, and to Committee members high commendation for your efforts and endeavour.
4. We will engage over the course of this meeting a number of issues that highlight the region’s vulnerability. Among them will be:
(a) Options towards improving the region’s shipping services and in particular, to our smaller island States;
(b) More effective arrangements for supporting aviation safety and security; and
(c) Better regional arrangements towards achieving greater reliability and efficiency in the procurement of key commodities such as petroleum.
Update
5. There have important developments since the last Pacific Plan Action Committee meeting held in July 2008, and I want to refer to both trends and events. Some may be described as our ‘core’ business.
6. The momentum provided through the prioritisation process has greatly focused the implementation of Pacific Plan initiatives. More importantly, it ensures and underscores the fact of the Pacific Plan as a ‘living’ document. Having commenced in 2006, the prioritization process has been successively refined over the last three years. In doing so, member countries and CROP organisations have been able to better harmonise programmes, actions and key regional high-level processes, in and especially through the Forum Leaders’ communiqués. The Forum Leaders communiqué of 2008 in Niue, with its strong outcomes, demonstrates the value of a ‘whole-of-region’ approach to addressing key challenges. While clearly there is still much to do, the results of ongoing consolidation of regional ‘interests’ have begun to find clear expression.
7. Among the more notable examples of this would be the 2008 Tuna Commission meeting where the ability to maintain a whole-of-region position through negotiations has seen the broader adoption of stronger measures to address the over-fishing of key tuna species, as well as commitment to enhance monitoring and surveillance operations across the greater Western and Central Pacific Region. It seems clear that such a notable result was gained through cooperative action taken at the Forum Fisheries Committee, and at this Committee, to ensure that clear and strong decisions were adopted by Forum Leaders enabling member countries and key CROP agencies to work together in this sector to defend and further the interests of the region.
8. Energy presents another example. Successful negotiations and agreement on how the region might better procure key commodities, such as petroleum, have been reached. The MOU on bulk procurement has now been signed by three small island States. We anticipate more will follow. As with fisheries, one can trace a regional process which ensured this matter was dealt with broadly in a more organised and harmonised manner. We expect that the petroleum bulk procurement will be further considered when Energy Ministers meet in Tonga later in April; and demonstrating again the value of a ‘whole-of-region’ approach to addressing key challenges. Meanwhile, work will now continue with a view to implementing a commercial arrangement for bulk procurement by the first quarter of 2010.
9. Challenges, however, significant challenges, do remain.
10. Some of these can be identified by sector. For example, the implementation of regional trade commitments and agreements continues to move at a rather slow pace. All three major regional trade initiatives require significant input and attention from member countries.
(a) With regards to PACER Plus, the recent series of informal officials’ meetings have progressed the discussion on a way forward. It is hoped that the next series of informal meetings in May 2009 will provide positive outcomes for consideration by regional trade officials and subsequently for Ministers in June 2009.
(b) Discussions around the European Partnership Agreements continue. The new European Commission Trade Commissioner has given indication of some flexibility in the remaining EPA negotiations. The Pacific ACP Countries hope to gain and to build on such flexibility.
(c) On PICTA, only six of the 14 Forum Island Countries have announced readiness to trade under the agreement. The PICTA trade-in-services negotiation is ongoing, slowly, as the Forum Island Countries engage in their national consultations and continue to develop national positions.
11. The need for serious engagement and concerted effort seems clear. It is also clear that the requisite political will and determination will remain imperative to the success of regional efforts to move forward with these trade agreements.
12. Other challenges are systemic. National capacities, both human and absorptive, continue to pose significant problems for the success of implementing activities in a sustainable way. While the Pacific is beneficiary to the highest aid flows per capita in the world, the reality is that national administrations are generally small with very limited skills and capacities. They are often called on to deal with an ever increasing range of development issues and partnerships, all of which bring different aims and expectations. At times, partners seem overly cautious in utilising the opportunities for effectiveness that working through national systems offers for delivering their assistance. While the reaffirmation of the Paris Declaration through the Accra Agenda for Action is welcomed, we must remain vigilant to ensure these principles supporting partnership, harmonisation and transparency are not simply confined to the pages of yet another international declaration, but rather that principle s are translated into practice.
13. It is perhaps the last of these challenges that presents us with the greatest cause for concern. Evolving still as we meet, the global community is now faced with an unprecedented banking and financial crisis. While efforts are ongoing to determine the likely impacts and implications for the Pacific, we can be certain that none of the Forum countries will be immune. In a region of predominantly net importing countries with historically low rates of economic growth, significant levels of unemployment and underemployment as well as low rates of foreign direct investment, there cannot be any question of the need to act now to guard against the impacts, to reform and strengthen systems and to be both innovative and pro-active is seeking solutions, and in seizing opportunities.
Closing:
14. As I close, let me say that we in the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat very much look forward to working with you all to ensure a successful and productive meeting. This Pacific Plan Action Committee Meeting represents an important point of engagement on those issues that we as the region’s civil servants, will consider for our Leaders’ attention and direction. While our responsibility is great, I believe the opportunities presented through this meeting are even greater.
Thank you.
(Ends)
AT THE
PACIFIC PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING
Forum Secretariat, Suva
31 March – 1 April 2009
Your Excellency, Madam Chair
Members
Associate Members
Heads and representatives of CROP
This is the home of the Forum, and on behalf of the Secretariat I welcome you all to this the first Pacific Plan Action Committee meeting for 2009.
Overview:
1. We come together, in collective effort, to progress the implementation of the Pacific Plan. As a Standing Officials Committee for Forum Leaders, you know only too well the opportunities that successful implementation of the Pacific Plan offers all Pacific Island Countries and Territories. You will also be aware, perhaps more than most, of the continuing challenges that we face in realising this objective.
2. With the experience of the past three years it seems to me that the Pacific Plan has become more than just a ‘plan.’ Ambitious in scope and strategic by nature, the decision to consolidate existing and planned regional initiatives in one framework was truly a ground breaking step. Despite its detractors, the Pacific Plan remains distinctive in its ambition, and possibly unique of its kind. It represents, today, a symbol of our regional efforts to work through partnership in addressing issues that challenge the region’s pursuit of prosperity, sustainability, and security for all Pacific peoples. More importantly, the Pacific Plan has become the entry point for action on strengthening regional cooperation and integration - an endeavour with which our region has a long, and for the greater part in my view, a successful track record.
3. As the work of this Committee has demonstrated over the last three years, oversight of the Pacific Plan has involved the tackling of issues that few are willing to address. This work has not been easy and, if I may, I offer to you, Madam chairperson, and to Committee members high commendation for your efforts and endeavour.
4. We will engage over the course of this meeting a number of issues that highlight the region’s vulnerability. Among them will be:
(a) Options towards improving the region’s shipping services and in particular, to our smaller island States;
(b) More effective arrangements for supporting aviation safety and security; and
(c) Better regional arrangements towards achieving greater reliability and efficiency in the procurement of key commodities such as petroleum.
Update
5. There have important developments since the last Pacific Plan Action Committee meeting held in July 2008, and I want to refer to both trends and events. Some may be described as our ‘core’ business.
6. The momentum provided through the prioritisation process has greatly focused the implementation of Pacific Plan initiatives. More importantly, it ensures and underscores the fact of the Pacific Plan as a ‘living’ document. Having commenced in 2006, the prioritization process has been successively refined over the last three years. In doing so, member countries and CROP organisations have been able to better harmonise programmes, actions and key regional high-level processes, in and especially through the Forum Leaders’ communiqués. The Forum Leaders communiqué of 2008 in Niue, with its strong outcomes, demonstrates the value of a ‘whole-of-region’ approach to addressing key challenges. While clearly there is still much to do, the results of ongoing consolidation of regional ‘interests’ have begun to find clear expression.
7. Among the more notable examples of this would be the 2008 Tuna Commission meeting where the ability to maintain a whole-of-region position through negotiations has seen the broader adoption of stronger measures to address the over-fishing of key tuna species, as well as commitment to enhance monitoring and surveillance operations across the greater Western and Central Pacific Region. It seems clear that such a notable result was gained through cooperative action taken at the Forum Fisheries Committee, and at this Committee, to ensure that clear and strong decisions were adopted by Forum Leaders enabling member countries and key CROP agencies to work together in this sector to defend and further the interests of the region.
8. Energy presents another example. Successful negotiations and agreement on how the region might better procure key commodities, such as petroleum, have been reached. The MOU on bulk procurement has now been signed by three small island States. We anticipate more will follow. As with fisheries, one can trace a regional process which ensured this matter was dealt with broadly in a more organised and harmonised manner. We expect that the petroleum bulk procurement will be further considered when Energy Ministers meet in Tonga later in April; and demonstrating again the value of a ‘whole-of-region’ approach to addressing key challenges. Meanwhile, work will now continue with a view to implementing a commercial arrangement for bulk procurement by the first quarter of 2010.
9. Challenges, however, significant challenges, do remain.
10. Some of these can be identified by sector. For example, the implementation of regional trade commitments and agreements continues to move at a rather slow pace. All three major regional trade initiatives require significant input and attention from member countries.
(a) With regards to PACER Plus, the recent series of informal officials’ meetings have progressed the discussion on a way forward. It is hoped that the next series of informal meetings in May 2009 will provide positive outcomes for consideration by regional trade officials and subsequently for Ministers in June 2009.
(b) Discussions around the European Partnership Agreements continue. The new European Commission Trade Commissioner has given indication of some flexibility in the remaining EPA negotiations. The Pacific ACP Countries hope to gain and to build on such flexibility.
(c) On PICTA, only six of the 14 Forum Island Countries have announced readiness to trade under the agreement. The PICTA trade-in-services negotiation is ongoing, slowly, as the Forum Island Countries engage in their national consultations and continue to develop national positions.
11. The need for serious engagement and concerted effort seems clear. It is also clear that the requisite political will and determination will remain imperative to the success of regional efforts to move forward with these trade agreements.
12. Other challenges are systemic. National capacities, both human and absorptive, continue to pose significant problems for the success of implementing activities in a sustainable way. While the Pacific is beneficiary to the highest aid flows per capita in the world, the reality is that national administrations are generally small with very limited skills and capacities. They are often called on to deal with an ever increasing range of development issues and partnerships, all of which bring different aims and expectations. At times, partners seem overly cautious in utilising the opportunities for effectiveness that working through national systems offers for delivering their assistance. While the reaffirmation of the Paris Declaration through the Accra Agenda for Action is welcomed, we must remain vigilant to ensure these principles supporting partnership, harmonisation and transparency are not simply confined to the pages of yet another international declaration, but rather that principle s are translated into practice.
13. It is perhaps the last of these challenges that presents us with the greatest cause for concern. Evolving still as we meet, the global community is now faced with an unprecedented banking and financial crisis. While efforts are ongoing to determine the likely impacts and implications for the Pacific, we can be certain that none of the Forum countries will be immune. In a region of predominantly net importing countries with historically low rates of economic growth, significant levels of unemployment and underemployment as well as low rates of foreign direct investment, there cannot be any question of the need to act now to guard against the impacts, to reform and strengthen systems and to be both innovative and pro-active is seeking solutions, and in seizing opportunities.
Closing:
14. As I close, let me say that we in the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat very much look forward to working with you all to ensure a successful and productive meeting. This Pacific Plan Action Committee Meeting represents an important point of engagement on those issues that we as the region’s civil servants, will consider for our Leaders’ attention and direction. While our responsibility is great, I believe the opportunities presented through this meeting are even greater.
Thank you.
(Ends)
