Timeline of Major Events since 1971
Timeline
2018
1972
Establishment of the South Pacific Bureau for Economic Cooperation (name changed to Forum Secretariat in 1981)
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
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
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
Nauru Signs and Ratifies PICTA Trade in Services Protocol (Aug 20 2013) On 5th September, Leaders adopted the Majuro Declaration for Climate Change
2012
Leaders endorsed the ‘Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration’
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
Adoption of the Port Vila Declaration on MDG’s Cairns Compact Peer Reviews Establishment of the Pacific Environment Community Fund (PEC FUND)
2009
Adoption of the Cairns Compact on Strengthening Development Coordination in the Pacific Adoption of the Pacific Regional Strategy on Disability
2008
Adoption of the Niue Declaration on Climate Change
2007
Adoption of the Vava’u Declaration on Pacific Fisheries Italy joined the Post Forum Dialogue Partners
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
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
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
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
Adoption of the Nasonini Declaration on Regional Security Adoption of the Pacific Oceans Policy Leaders welcome East Timor as Special Observer
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
South Pacific Forum Secretariat Agreement The Forum recognized the special development requirements of the Smaller Island State
1990
Establishment of the Forum Ministerial Committee on New Caledonia by the Forum China joined the Post Forum Dialogue Partners
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
Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Marshall Islands joins the Forum as Full Members
1985
Adoption of the South Pacific Nuclear Zone Treaty by the Forum
1984
Water Supply Projects (under the Norwegian Aid) South Pacific Telecommunications Development Programme commenced
1982
The Forum adopted the resolution on the Law of the Sea Convention Establishment of the Energy Unit at SPEC
1981
SPARTECA entered into force on 1 January 1981
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
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
Solomon Islands and Tuvalu joins the Forum
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
Leaders agreed to establish the Pacific Forum Line at the Nauru Leaders Forum Disaster Fund established
1975
Niue joins the Forum as a full member Regional Natural Disaster Relief Fund formalised
1974
Leaders agreed to establish a Regional Shipping Council Papua New Guinea joins the Forum as a full member
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
Formation of the South Pacific Forum (Original members were Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Nauru, New Zealand, Tonga and Western Samoa)
