Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Secretary-General to visit Vanuatu

30 October 2006

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon will visit Vanuatu from 31 October to 1 November 2006 during his current trip to the Pacific region which has also taken him to Fiji Islands and Solomon Islands.

During his two-day visit to Port Vila, Mr McKinnon is expected to call on President Kalkot Mataskelekele, Prime Minister Ham Lini and other ministers.

Discussions during the visit are likely to focus on Commonwealth issues as well as the Pacific Plan launched by the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders in 2005. The Commonwealth is working closely with the PIF Secretariat in Suva, Fiji Islands, to contribute to the implementation of the Pacific Plan which is aimed at enhancing social development and regional economic integration.

In particular, the Commonwealth Secretariat is working towards the launch of a major new programme of assistance to strengthen governance in the region as a contribution to the Pacific Plan.

The Secretary-General last visited Vanuatu for high-level talks in 2001.

Mr McKinnon, who has been on a tour of the Pacific since 23 October, will return to London on 4 November 2006.

ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION
Commonwealth Secretariat Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX United Kingdom
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