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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Secretary-General to attend 35th Pacific Islands Summit

2 August 2004

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon will attend the 35th Pacific Islands Forum Summit in Apia , Samoa , from 5 to 7 August 2004 .

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 cooperation 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 , he 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 ( CHOGM ) in 2005.

The Secretary-General will be accompanied by Mr Matthew Neuhaus, Director, and Mr Albert Mariner , Senior Programme Officer, of the Political Affairs Division, Commonwealth Secretariat.

Note to Editors:

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 . The two Forum countries which are not Commonwealth member states but benefit from the Association's CFTC development programmes, by virtue of their association with New Zealand , are Cook Islands and Niue .

For all media enquiries please contact Mr Matthew Neuhaus or Mr Albert Mariner at Aggie Grey's Hotel on +685 (0)22880.

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