Commonwealth Secretary-General to Attend 35th Pacific Islands Forum Summit
5 August 2004
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| Pacific Islands Forum Summit |
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Mr McKinnon said: "The Commonwealth is one of the Pacific Islands Forum's closest partners and is active in a number of areas of concern in the Pacific region. The implementation of the Pacific Plan, adopted by Forum Leaders in Auckland, New Zealand, in April 2004 will be one of the important issues the Apia Summit will discuss. This Plan, which promotes closer regional co-operation and encourages the efficient use of regional resources, will be one of the key priorities for the Forum in the years ahead. The Commonwealth remains ready to provide assistance, as required, by the Pacific Commonwealth members and the Forum Secretariat."
While in Apia, the Secretary-General will address the Summit and exchange views with Forum Leaders. He will also have bilateral meetings with Pacific Heads of Government on issues of Commonwealth interest, including forthcoming Commonwealth ministerial meetings and the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2005.
This will be the fourth Pacific Islands Forum Summit which the Secretary-General will attend as the Special Guest of the Forum Leaders. Of the 16 countries in the Forum, 11 are Commonwealth member states -- Australia, Fiji Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
CNIS - the Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 195 4 August 2004
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