New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said Monday she will attend the Pacific Islands Forum in Nadi, Fiji, on Oct. 24 and 25.
Clark said events in Solomon Islands are expected to be the focus of significant discussion between leaders. In addition to the ongoing role of the Regional Assistance Mission (RAMSI), the expulsion of the Australian High Commissioner from Honiara, Australia's attempt to seek extradition of Julian Moti from Papua New Guinea, and the suspension of ministerial contact between Australia and PNG will form a backdrop to proceedings.
The Pacific Island Forum (known until Oct. 27, 2000 as the South Pacific Forum), a key political organization in the Pacific, brings at an annual meeting the 16 heads of government of the independent and self-governing states in the Pacific.
"This is also an important meeting for the Forum for other reasons, including the review of the first year of the Pacific Plan and talks around a possible overhaul of the region's institutional structures," said New Zealand Prime Minister.
Forum Leaders will also consider recommendations from a Review Team that considered both a streamlining of the regional institutional architecture, and new ways of engaging with partners at the Post Forum Dialogue (PFD).
"I also expect a good discussion about the regional trade agenda at the Forum, and how to continue setting the scene for the start of a Pacific Closer Economic Relations (PACER) agreement negotiation in a couple of year's time," said Clark.
During the nine-day meeting from Oct. 22, Pacific leaders will also consider applications for associate membership of the Forum from New Caledonia and French Polynesia, and observer applications from Wallis & Futuna, the United Nations, the Asian Development Bank and the Commonwealth Secretariat.
(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2006)
