The Natadola communiqué looks into the issues of Small Islands Development States (SIDS).
According to the communiqué the leaders of the eleven countries that attended “Reaffirmed the special cultural bonds and ties that the PSIDS share with each other and agreed that Fiji’s Strategic Framework for Change (SFC) is a credible home-grown process for positioning Fiji as a modern nation and to hold true democratic elections,” it stated.
The leaders “agreed that important lessons could be learnt and shared within the region, from Fiji’s experience and Fiji’s implementation of the Strategic Framework for Change, Recognised the need for Fiji’s continuous engagement with the region and its full participation in regional development, initiatives and aspirations.”
It adds that the leaders acknowledged the opportunities for partnership offered by Kiribati to develop joint ventures in fisheries processing.
“Acknowledged the opportunities offered by Papua New Guinea in various sectors to PSIDS on bilateral basis which include mining and exploration, employment, petroleum, education and other investment opportunities that could be taken up by the Pacific Island countries through bilateral arrangements.
“Agreed that the opportunities available in Asia have the potential to stimulate economic growth and investment in PSIDS and recommended strengthening of economic ties with Asia.”
It stated that the leaders also reiterated the need for PSIDS to take a stronger and united position on issues relating to climate change and sea level rise that affect the survival of the Pacific Island Countries and expressed concerns that funding committed at the global level for adaptation measures on climate change is yet to materialise and funding already channelled through regional institutions by our development partners are being unnecessarily delayed by complex procedures and high consultation fees.
The leaders also “called on regional organisations and development partners to expeditiously disburse funds committed on climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives; Reaffirmed the urgent need to conserve the region’s ocean resources and supported the Pacific Ocean 2020 Challenge and other conservatory measures such as the Coral Triangle Initiative, Micronesian Challenge and the Phoenix Islands Protected Area and committed that the fisheries resources and deep sea mineral resources must be exploited on sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.
The communiqué also reads that all leaders agreed to consider the proposal by Fiji to conclude on a bilateral basis with PSIDS agreements on areas which include trade, regional tourism, education, shipping, aviation, immigration, fisheries, assistance in modernising laws, labour mobility, cooperation between chambers of commerce and the private sector and regional hub.
It also supported the setting up of a regional Police Academy which was highlighted in the outcomes of the Police Commissioners Meeting that took place on 21 July 2010.
Furthermore it said that the leaders acknowledged the presentation on the ‘Pacific Bridge to Noble Wealth’ project and the potential opportunities available for Pacific countries to integrate knowledge-based economies and tourism industries for sustainable development.
“Agreed to the concept of “Rethinking Oceania” and endorsed the efforts of the Pacific Conference of Churches to recommend a development model that moves Oceania towards inclusiveness and sufficiency, report back in two years time.”
It concluded by stating that the leaders also accepted the Fiji Government’s offer to organise annual meeting of Pacific Small Island Developing States to continue engaging with Fiji and review other issues they have discussed at Natadola.