PIF Secretary-General calls on Kamalesh Sharma

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma met with his counterpart, the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretary-General Tuiloma Neroni Slade, at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, UK, on 17 December 2010.

The Secretaries-General discussed recent political developments in the Pacific island countries, including Fiji Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Tonga. Mr Sharma emphasised the important role of both organisations in supporting democratic processes and the rule of law in Pacific member countries.

The Secretaries-General also discussed the significant challenges faced by small Pacific states in responding to the threat of climate change; the initiatives of both the Pacific region and the Commonwealth in this sector; and how they might most effectively work together. Mr Sharma warmly welcomed Pacific participation in the Commonwealth High-Level Meeting on Climate Finance, to be held in the UK in January 2011.

Mr Sharma welcomed the interest of PIF Secretariat in the Commonwealth Small States Office in Geneva which will be established in January 2011. He said the PIFS can benefit from the services and facilities offered by the shared premises set up to facilitate the representation of small states in key UN bodies dealing with trade, human rights, and other issues.

Mr Sharma also briefed Mr Slade on preparations for the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, to be held in Perth, Australia in October 2011.

Key Links:

• Secretary-General
• CHOGM 2011

Related News:

• Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat