Members of the public have until this Sunday (10 April) to submit their proposals for regional initiatives under the Framework for Pacific Regionalism.
In reinforcing the call for submissions from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), the Director-General of the Pacific Community, Colin Tukuitonga, urged the public to take advantage of this opportunity to raise their concerns about key issues affecting the region.
“This is a new, inclusive process, welcomed by the Pacific Community, which is all about working together to shape the future of our islands region,” Dr Tukuitonga said.
“We share the vision under the Framework for Pacific Regionalism for a region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion and prosperity, so that all Pacific people can lead free, healthy and productive lives.
“To achieve this vision and enrich development outcomes, the contributions of governments, regional organisations, civil society, the private sector and individuals need to be embraced,” he said.
Proposals for regional initiatives should address key public policy issues and challenges for the region that require the oversight of Pacific Island Leaders and that are most appropriately dealt with at the regional or sub-regional level.
The submissions will be considered at the PIFS Leader’s Meeting, to be held in the Federated States of Micronesia in September.
The five priority issues identified at last year’s PIFS Leaders’ Meeting in Port Moresby were: increased economic returns from fisheries activity and maritime surveillance; climate change and disaster risk management; information and communication technology; upholding human rights in West Papua; and cervical cancer.
Since then, the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP), sub-regional organisations, civil society, the private sector and international agencies have been working together to begin implementing the Leaders’ recommendations around these issues.
To make a submission by 10 April 2016, visit the PIFS website.
Media contacts:
Lauren Robinson, acting Media Relations Team Leader, SPC, [email protected]
Jordie Kilby, Communications Adviser, PIFS, [email protected]
Jordie Kilby Reminder call for public to have say on Pacific regionalism
Photo: David Hebblethwaite/SPC