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The Thirty-Eighth Pacific Islands Forum was held in Tonga from 16-17 October 2007 and was attended by Heads of State and Government of the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, and representatives of Australia, Kiribati, Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and Solomon Islands. New Caledonia and French Polynesia also attended the formal session as Associate Members and Timor-Leste, Tokelau and Wallis & Futuna as observers. The Forum Retreat was held at Vava’u, Tonga. 2. Leaders expressed their deep appreciation to the Government and people of Tonga for hosting the 2007 meeting, for the warm and generous manner in which they had been welcomed and for the arrangements made for the meetings. PACIFIC PLAN 3. Leaders noted that two years after its launch, considerable progress has been made in the implementation of initiatives across all four of the Pacific Plan’s pillars. Challenges, however, remain. These include the maintenance of timely reporting to support ongoing assessment of the Plan’s progress, and continuing human and financial capacity constraints in the implementation of some initiatives. 4. Leaders agreed on a number of key commitments in order to move the Plan forward in the next twelve months. Priority areas for attention under the Pacific Plan are listed below and at Annex A. Fisheries 5. Despite the considerable work undertaken to date to strengthen the region’s management of its highly migratory fish stocks, Leaders believe urgent supplementary work is needed in specific areas. Fisheries represents one of the region’s strongest drivers for sustainable economic growth. As a source of both export revenue and food security, efforts must continue to maintain regional solidarity among Forum Members in their management of these fish stocks, particularly tuna. Greater effort to foster a long-term strategic approach to ensuring these resources are effectively managed will provide enduring benefits for all Forum Member countries. This approach must include the upholding and strengthening of existing regional arrangements, agreements and conservation measures that protect this essential resource in the face of threatened stock levels and intensifying global interest, particularly from distant water fishing nations. Leaders adopted a Declaration on Pacific Fisheries Resources (attached as Annex B). 6. Leaders also welcomed with appreciation the NZ$5 million contribution to the Secretariat of the Pacific Community tuna tagging programme announced by New Zealand and the A$500,000 contribution as incentive funding to recognise effective action by Pacific Island Countries to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing announced by Australia. Energy 7. Leaders believe there remains a need for continued high level support to address the region’s energy needs and more specifically efforts to secure equitable access to reliable and affordable energy for all Forum Members. This year’s Pacific Energy Ministers’ Meeting provided a significant boost towards achieving this objective, in particular, commissioning work to ensure a finalised proposal for regional bulk fuel procurement for the consideration of Forum Leaders in 2008. By delivering a strong statement through their communiqué, the Ministers clearly identified the challenges and proposed mitigation strategies necessary to address the region’s energy needs. In acknowledgement of the direction provided to the region by its Energy Ministers, Leaders endorsed the comprehensive implementation of the Ministers’ communiqué’s recommendations. Trade and Economic Integration 8. Leaders acknowledged that economic growth is central to the Pacific Plan and that the integration of the region’s economies presents significant opportunities to raise living standards for all Forum Members. The continuing focus on trade and economic integration has been evident with both Economic and Trade Ministers respectively continuing to work on ways to achieve success in these areas noting the importance of, for instance, labour mobility. Challenges remain, however, among them the slow pace at which regional trade agreements are being implemented. Leaders supported a continued focus on trade and economic integration to underwrite the desire to strengthen the region’s economic growth. Climate Change 9. Leaders reiterated their deep concern over the serious and growing threat posed by climate change to the economic, social and environmental well being of Pacific Island Countries, their communities, peoples and cultures. They noted that they have been calling on the international community to take concerted action to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere since 1990. Recent events and major international reports such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 4th Assessment Report show unequivocally that climate change is occurring and that it is very likely caused by human actions. Adaptation to climate change is now an inevitable requirement, as the Earth begins responding to greenhouse gases already emitted. 10. Leaders recognised the special concerns and interests of Forum small low lying island countries on the adverse implications of climate change, in particular sea level rise. 11. Leaders welcomed the guidance from the IPCC that it is physically and economically feasible to mitigate climate change and that with concerted international support, adaptation can also succeed. Conversely, without serious action, the global economy and the fragile resources of the Pacific will be severely affected. 12. Leaders called on the international community to reach agreement urgently on an effective global response to deliver on the ultimate objective of the UNFCCC to avoid dangerous levels of interference with the climate system, including further commitments in the future by all major greenhouse gas emitters to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and to increase and mobilise financial and technical resources to support adaptation efforts in developing countries. They recognised that climate change is a long-term international challenge and that an effective international response would require a resolute and concerted international effort, including effective action in particular by the world’s major greenhouse gas emitting countries to reduce their emissions and by all countries to adapt to the changes that climate change will bring. 13. Leaders committed to actively and constructively participate in the UNFCCC meeting in Bali in December 2007, and agreed to work at that meeting towards the launch of negotiations on a comprehensive post-2012 framework to tackle climate change. To that end, Leaders welcomed the positive outcomes of the APEC 2007 meeting in Sydney in promoting more effective international responses to climate change. Transport 14. Leaders acknowledged that transport underpins most other economic development. The provision of reliable and effective air and maritime services is reducing trade costs and decreasing the barriers that distance places on the Pacific. Eliminating unnecessary regulation allows for the freer movement of goods and services improving access to opportunity for the peoples of the Pacific. Considerable work has been undertaken to date to support the strengthening of transport services in the region, particularly in the aviation and maritime sectors. Transport’s significance as a facilitator of economic growth continues however to be hampered by gaps in services and supporting infrastructure, particularly in the region’s Smaller Island States. Leaders expressed appreciation for the valuable contribution of the Pacific Forum Line to regional transport development. A continued focus through regional and sub-regional approaches to improve shipping and aviation services, aviation liberalisation, safety and security as well as the physical infrastructure that supports these sectors, remains an essential need for Forum Members. Progress in this area will also assist with tourism, the development of which remains a key economic priority for the region. FIJI 15. Leaders: (a) endorsed the findings of the EPG Report following its mission to Fiji from 29 January to 1 February 2007 and the outcomes of the Forum Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting in March 2007 as an appropriate way forward to the restoration of constitutional and democratic government in Fiji; (b) welcomed the undertaking by the Leader of the Fiji Interim Government to the Forum Leaders today that a parliamentary election will be held in the first quarter of 2009, and noted that he also stated to Forum Leaders that he and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces will accept the outcome of the elections in the first quarter of 2009; (c) called on the Fiji Interim Government now to work with the Forum-Joint Working Group to produce a credible roadmap to those elections at that time according to the Constitution and law of Fiji, and urged the Interim Government to accord the highest priority to this task; (d) noted that the Interim Government is pursuing an initiative to produce a People’s Charter; (e) expressed appreciation for the support which members of the international community have accorded to the Forum’s actions in addressing the pathway to election by the first quarter of 2009; (f) commended the work carried out by the Fiji/Forum Joint Working Group in seeking to advance the pathway to elections by the first quarter of 2009; and (g) called for a meeting of the Forum Foreign Affairs Ministers in January next year to review the progress being made towards the election in the first quarter of 2009. REGIONAL ASSISTANCE MISSION TO SOLOMON ISLANDS 16. Leaders: (a) commended and confirmed the continuing support of all Forum members as contributing countries to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands as an outstanding example of cooperative regionalism; (b) noted that, in accordance with their decisions in 2006, a consultative mechanism between the Government of Solomon Islands, RAMSI and the Pacific Islands Forum has been established, and the Task Force to renew RAMSI has reported to Forum Foreign Affairs Ministers; (c) recognised the significant contribution that the implementation of the Recommendations of the Task Force would make to the more effective operation of RAMSI; (d) endorsed the Task Force recommendations and commended them for the support of the Government of Solomon Islands; (e) agreed that urgent consultations should be pursued through the Forum Ministerial Standing Committee with the Government of Solomon Islands to seek clarification of their concerns with respect to the specific recommendations of the Task Force, and that the Standing Committee report further to Leaders at the earliest opportunity; (f) noted that the Review has been conducted according to the agreed Terms of Reference; (g) noted the decision by the Government of Solomon Islands to review the Facilitation of International Assistance Act; and (h) noted the importance Leaders place on the assurances given to the Forum Chair that any proposals to amend the Act will be the subject of prior consultation with RAMSI contributing countries. PACIFIC REGIONAL ASSISTANCE TO NAURU 17. The Forum Leaders received the report of the President of Nauru on the progress made in his country’s reform and recovery programmes, congratulated the Nauru Government on its re-election; and noted the significant contributions made by the Pacific Regional Assistance to Nauru (PRAN) to the Government’s efforts. At the same time Leaders noted the many constraints that remained, including in the enormous public debt inherited from the past, and agreed to continue supporting Nauru’s efforts through PRAN and other bilateral measures. RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINANTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS 18. Leaders recognised the special circumstances pertaining to the continued presence of radioactive contaminants in the Republic of the Marshall Islands and reaffirmed the existence of a special responsibility by the United States of America towards the people of the Marshall Islands, who have been, and continue to be, adversely affected as a direct result of nuclear weapons tests conducted by the United States during its administration of the islands under the UN Trusteeship mandate. Leaders reiterated their call on the United States to live up to its full obligations on the provision of adequate and fair compensation and commitment to its responsibility for the safe resettlement of displaced populations, including the full and final restoration to economic productivity of all affected areas. Leaders noted the continuing dialogue between the Governments of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the United States, including the U.S. Congress, Senate and Administration, and agreed to submit an additional letter by the Forum Chair to the United States Government urging the United States to take action in the aftermath of Congressional hearings that established the lingering needs resulting from the U.S. testing programme. Leaders encouraged members to lend support to the Marshall Islands on this issue at the United Nations General Assembly and other international fora and to continue to assist by raising the issue with Members of the U.S. Congress. REGIONAL INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK REVIEW 19. Leaders agreed to: (a) the inclusion of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) into Pillar 1, in order to recognise the Agency’s central regional role and to provide fisheries issues with the political profile they require; (b) the need to rationalise the functions of the Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) with the work programmes of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) with the view to absorbing those functions of SOPAC into SPC and SPREP; (c) the South Pacific Bureau for Education Assessment (SPBEA) merging into SPC; and (d) the University of the South Pacific (USP) and the Fiji School of Medicine forming part of Pillar 3 (Education). COUNTRY INITIATIVES Sports 20. In noting the importance of sports in the social, cultural and economic life of Pacific Island countries, Leaders encouraged their National Sports and Olympic Federations to work together with their counterparts in the region to develop and implement regional programmes and projects, such as has been achieved for weightlifting, that would optimally employ the limited resources available to Pacific Island countries. Leaders recognised the important role of sport as a potential tool for development and peace, within the broader social, political, cultural and economic wellbeing of the people of the Pacific, and the particular contribution it could make to the achievement of healthy lifestyles, to which appropriate donor funding should be targetted. 21. Leaders agreed to draw the attention of the Australian and New Zealand Rugby Unions and the International Rugby Board (IRB) to the concerns of Pacific Island countries regarding the current eligibility rules under IRB and participation by Pacific Island teams or a combined Pacific team in the Southern Hemisphere’s premier Super 14 competition. Sub-regional Arrangements 22. The Leaders noted the concern raised over the potential risk of regional sub-groups that could complicate the institution of the Pacific Islands Forum and decided to keep the issue active for future in-depth consideration. In this connection the Leaders requested the Secretary General to look into this issue and in particular to examine what possible practical measures may be made in the procedures and conduct of the Forum’s business that could reduce the risks to the coherence and cohesiveness of the Forum and report back to the Leaders at their 2008 meeting. Kava 23. Leaders noted the pivotal cultural significance of kava to the region. Leaders further noted the current restrictions imposed by Australia on the importation of kava for indigenous health concerns. Leaders agreed to explore with Australia innovative measures to ease these restrictions. Health 24. Leaders welcomed with appreciation Australia’s announcement of an extra A$20 million to tackle chronic diseases in the Pacific over the next four years. World Heritage Committee 25. Leaders supported Vanuatu’s candidature for a “reserved” seat on the World Heritage Committee. OBSERVERSHIP 26. Leaders invited the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission to become a Forum observer. POST-FORUM DIALOGUE PARTNER 27. Leaders welcomed Italy as the fourteenth Post-Forum Dialogue Partner and noted that it will be attending the 2007 Post-Forum Dialogue Plenary. UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC CHARTER 28. Leaders noted the proposal by the Council of the University of the South Pacific to conclude a new foundation document for the University in the form of a multilateral treaty ratified by USP Member Governments. In light of issues raised by the Leaders, the Secretariat was tasked to collect additional information and to report back to Leaders. PAPUA 29. Leaders noted the intention of the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea to convey the Forum discussions on Papua to the President of Indonesia. SMALLER ISLAND STATES LEADERS’ SUMMIT 30. Leaders noted the outcomes of the Smaller Island States Leaders’ Summit. PACIFIC ACP LEADERS’ MEETING 31. Leaders noted the outcomes of the Pacific ACP Leaders’ meeting. APPRECIATION 32. Leaders commended the interim outgoing Chair, Right Hon Grand Chief Sir Michael T. Somare, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, and his Government for their leadership of the Forum during 2007. VENUE 33. Leaders welcomed the Government of Niue’s offer to host the 2008 Forum. Vava’u, Tonga 17 October 2007 |
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