Timeline of Major Events since 1971

Timeline

2018

Jan 01

1972

Establishment of the South Pacific Bureau for Economic Cooperation (name changed to Forum Secretariat in 1981)

2016

Jul 23

2016

Inaugural meeting of the Joint Steering Committee for the Analysis of Governance and Financing Historic First Standing Meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers in..Read More

2015

Jul 23

SSCR through the FPR identified five issues, which warranted Leaders’ consideration: Fisheries, Climate Change, Information Communications Technologies, Cervical cancer, West Papua Leaders endorsed the Hiri Declaration..Read More

2014

Jul 23

2014

Leaders made an Historical decision in appointing the first ever female Secretary General – Dame Meg Taylor (PNG national) on July 31 Leaders endorsed the Palau..Read More

2013

Jul 23

2013

Nauru Signs and Ratifies PICTA Trade in Services Protocol (Aug 20 2013) On 5th September, Leaders adopted the Majuro Declaration for Climate Change

2012

Jul 23

2012

Leaders endorsed the ‘Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration’

2011

Jul 23

2011

Lecture Series for the 40th Anniversary conducted in Port Vila and Suva Leaders adopted the Waiheke Declaration on Sustainable Economic Development Forum Leaders’ passed a Statement..Read More

2010

Jul 23

2010

Adoption of the Port Vila Declaration on MDG’s Cairns Compact Peer Reviews Establishment of the Pacific Environment Community Fund (PEC FUND)

2009

Jul 23

2009

Adoption of the Cairns Compact on Strengthening Development Coordination in the Pacific Adoption of the Pacific Regional Strategy on Disability

2008

Jul 23

2008

Adoption of the Niue Declaration on Climate Change

2007

Jul 23

2007

Adoption of the Vava’u Declaration on Pacific Fisheries Italy joined the Post Forum Dialogue Partners

2006

Jul 23

2006

Leaders approved the application of New Caledonia and French Polynesia for associate membership of the Forum. They invited Wallis and Futuna, the United Nations, Commonwealth Secretariat..Read More

2005

Jul 23

2005

Leaders adopted the Pacific Plan Agreement establishing the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders also agreed to adopt a new policy regarding admission, criteria and entitlements for associate..Read More

2004

Jul 23

2004

Adoption of the Auckland Declaration at the special leaders retreat, 6 April 2004 Adopted ‘Leaders Vision’ at the special leaders retreat, 6 April 2004 Leaders endorsed..Read More

2003

Jul 23

2003

Leaders endorsed the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) Leaders adopted the Forum Principles of Good Leadership Leaders endorsed the Pacific Islands Air Services..Read More

2002

Jul 23

2002

Adoption of the Nasonini Declaration on Regional Security Adoption of the Pacific Oceans Policy Leaders welcome East Timor as Special Observer

2001

Jul 23

2001

Adoption of the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA) Pacific Agreement of Closer Economic Relations (PACER). PICTA & PACER open for signature 18 August 2001 First..Read More

2000

Jul 23

2000

PALM 2000 Summit between Japan the Forum Countries Adoption of the Biketawa Declaration Leaders adopt the new Agreement Establishing the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Philippines joined..Read More

1999

Jul 23

1999

New Caledonia joins the Forum as an observer Leaders agreed on a new name for the Forum – ‘Pacific Islands Forum’ Leaders endorsed in principle a..Read More

1997

Jul 23

1997

Adoption of the Aitutaki Declaration on Regional Security Cooperation by the Forum First Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) held in Cairns, Australia 11 July 1997 Malaysia..Read More

1996

Jul 23

1996

Agreement on establishment of the Pacific Islands Centre – Japan, Tokyo 27th Forum theme: Regional Solidarity for the Common Good – Leaders agreed in line with..Read More

1995

Jul 23

1995

Adoption of the Waigani Convention Leaders adopted the South Pacific Forum Vision Statement Leaders adopted a Plan of Action on the theme “Securing Development Beyond 2000”..Read More

1994

Jul 23

1994

Forum gains Observer Status at the United Nations The Forum endorsed the Suva Declaration on Sustainable Human Development in the Pacific and underlined the importance of..Read More

1992

Jul 23

1992

Adoption of the Declaration on Regional Security Cooperation in the Pacific by the Forum (Honiara Declaration) Inaugural Summit of the Smaller Island State Leaders was held..Read More

1991

Jul 23

1991

South Pacific Forum Secretariat Agreement The Forum recognized the special development requirements of the Smaller Island State

1990

Jul 23

1990

Establishment of the Forum Ministerial Committee on New Caledonia by the Forum China joined the Post Forum Dialogue Partners

1989

Jul 23

1989

Formation of the Post Forum Dialogue process Countries attended first meeting are Canada, France, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States Establishment of the South..Read More

1987

Jul 23

1987

Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Marshall Islands joins the Forum as Full Members

1985

Jul 23

1985

Adoption of the South Pacific Nuclear Zone Treaty by the Forum

1984

Jul 23

1984

Water Supply Projects (under the Norwegian Aid) South Pacific Telecommunications Development Programme commenced

1982

Jul 23

1982

The Forum adopted the resolution on the Law of the Sea Convention Establishment of the Energy Unit at SPEC

1981

Jul 23

1981

SPARTECA entered into force on 1 January 1981

1980

Jul 23

1980

Adoption of the South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreements (SPARTECA) Vanuatu (formerly New Hebrides) joins the Forum as a full member

1979

Jul 23

1979

Establishment of the South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency New Hebrides joins the Forum as an Observer South Pacific Trade Commission set up (with in Sydney) Agreement..Read More

1978

Jul 23

1978

Solomon Islands and Tuvalu joins the Forum

1977

Jul 23

1977

Adopted the Declaration on the Law of the Sea Considered an establishment of a Regional Fisheries Agency Kiribati (formerly Gilbert Islands) joins the Forum Establishment of..Read More

1976

Jul 23

1976

Leaders agreed to establish the Pacific Forum Line at the Nauru Leaders Forum Disaster Fund established

1975

Jul 23

1975

Niue joins the Forum as a full member Regional Natural Disaster Relief Fund formalised

1974

Jul 23

1974

Leaders agreed to establish a Regional Shipping Council Papua New Guinea joins the Forum as a full member

1973

Jul 23

1973

An area of Crown Land made available to SPEC by the Government of Fiji South Pacific Bureau for Economic Cooperation (SPEC) Agreement formulated & signed

1971

Jul 23

1971

Formation of the South Pacific Forum (Original members were Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Nauru, New Zealand, Tonga and Western Samoa)