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Forum's Deputy Secretary General briefs Pohnpei

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): May 10, 2002 - The Deputy Secretary General of Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Iosefa Maiava, headed a three-member team that visited the Federated States of Micronesia from May 1-3, 2002.

Headed by Deputy Secretary General Maiava, the Forum's three-member team included: Emma Ferguson - Economic Adviser and Henry Sanday - Investment Policy Officer. The Forum team met with key members of the National Government and Departments of relevant interest to the Forum's current mission.

The Forum team's visit is part of an effort currently underway by the Forum Secretariat to broaden its ongoing commitment to "reach out to member states to explain the Forum process and priorities, as well as continually gauge member countries' needs and priorities so that these are reflected in the [Forum's] work program."

The team ended their three-day visit with an inter-agency seminar that gathered members of the civil society representing Non Governmental Operations, private sector organizations, members of the Corporate sector. During the roundtable discussion, Deputy Secretary General Maiava provided background on the Forum process and priorities, reviewed its activities and highlighted its issues.

Established in 1971, the Pacific Island Forum represents Heads of Government of all the independent and self-governing Pacific Island countries, Australia and New Zealand. It provides member nations with the opportunity to express their joint political views and cooperate in areas of political and economic concern to the region. The Forum, as it is commonly referred to, provides a strong united voice for the small Pacific island nations on the international platform.

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat acts as the administrative arm of the Forum where its programs and activities are under guidelines decided by the Forum leaders.

There are four Divisions in the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat - Development and economic Policy; Trade and Investment, Political, International Legal Affairs and Corporate Services. Each of these Divisions has direct responsibility for a range of programs designed to improve the capacity of the Forum member countries and to co-ordinate action on matters of common interest.

Sixteen Pacific island countries make up the Pacific Island Forum and they are: Australia; Cook Islands; Federated States of Micronesia; Fiji; Kiribati; Nauru; New Zealand; Niue; Palau; Papua New Guinea; Republic of the Marshall Islands; Samoa; Solomon Islands; Tonga; Tuvalu and Vanuatu.