OPENING REMARKS BY MR TUILOMA NERONI SLADE, SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM SECRETARIAT AT THE PACIFIC PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING
FORUM SECRETARIAT, SUVA, FIJI
13-14 JULY 2010

On behalf of the Secretariat Executive and staff may I warmly welcome you all: senior representatives of member countries and associate members, fellow Heads of CROP Agencies, and Observers.

There is particular significance in our gathering, for it is 5 years since Leaders endorsed the Pacific Plan in Madang in 2005.

In that time, a great deal of work has been done to strive for regional cooperation and integration, and towards realising the aspiration for security and economic prosperity and worthwhile living conditions for all.

The PPAC over this period has played a vital role, not only providing oversight and monitoring of the implementation of the Pacific Plan, but also in the setting of regional development priorities.

In a fundamental way, the PPAC has reformed the manner in which CROP agencies are preparing themselves and organised to serve and support the people of the Pacific. There is no other regional meeting or gathering where all regional organisations of the Pacific sit side by side with member countries to discuss how regional resources can and should be mobilised in a coordinated manner to address the key development priorities and challenges of the region.

It is therefore timely, I think, on this the occasion of the fifth year of the Pacific Plan, to reflect on some of the gains and achievements of the Pacific Plan and the challenges encountered. To cite a few:

? We have strengthened regional approaches for fisheries conservation and management through the work of FFA and SPC and more recently through the efforts of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA);

? Sub-regional shipping services for the SIS countries of the central Pacific have become operational;

? We have refocused our efforts, now principally through the Compact for strengthening development cooperation and coordination, in the implementation of key principles of aid effectiveness;

? Regional cooperation in the areas of audit and ombudsman services have been established and strengthened. I was happy to meet in Kiribati just last week with members of the Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) and to hear of the work of the Pacific Regional Audit initiative (PRAI);

? Work on trade liberalisation, though moving gradually, have achieved steady progress and will continue to be a key priority as an integral component of achieving greater regional economic integration; and

? As we will hear in the course of this meeting, there is a recently endorsed Framework for Action on ICT developments.

But, of course, there will continue to be significant challenges which call for staying power and perseverance.

? Strong political will is an absolute prerequisite, and must be maintained to continue the momentum in supporting the Pacific Plan.

? Resources must be secured to support Pacific Plan priorities; and it is incumbent that partnerships with development partners and other regional stakeholders are properly nurtured and fostered.

? The Pacific Plan priorities and initiatives must make a difference at the national level and bring added value to the efforts of member countries in addressing their national development priorities and challenges. Ultimately, this is the real test. We need to demonstrate results – results which make a difference, results which add value to the lives of people.

I believe that the last five years provide evidence of demonstrated effort and commitment of all concerned in working together to deliver real and tangible benefits for our countries and our communities.

This meeting is an ongoing and further opportunity to consider how we can all do even better. Let us remember that the Pacific Plan was established, not for itself, but to support better development outcomes for the peoples of the Pacific.

May I thank you all for your kind attention, and I look forward to productive discussions over the next two days to further our efforts towards regional cooperation and integration.

Thank you.