I PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM SECREfARIAT 2003-2004 ANNUAL REPORT Excelling together for the people of the Pacific Motto - Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat

",,'.'oKl i,Jtlf,i ~. J'U~ , Paci fi c Islands Fo rum S e ': r e lt a ri ~ 1 2003/200 4 A nn u a

• u \. I • u ~

A Review of the Forum, and its Secretariat, was carried out by an Eminent Persons Group in late 2003, in line with a decision by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders at their meeting in Auckland, New Zealand in August, 2003. The Eminent Persons, who also met with former Forum SeGretary General, Noel Levi, CBE (third from left) during their extensive consultations were (L·R): Bob Cotton, . Dr Lang; Kavaliku, M aiava lula; Toma, Sir Julius Chan and Teburoro Tito.

o L I Pacific Islands Forum Secreta ri at 200 3/20 04 Ann u a l R e p o rt

EX ECU TI VE S U MMARY The Pacific Way to a Pacific Plan

A generation ago, seven Pacific Leaders Biketawa Declaration that, for the first acted on their vision for a more sec ure time, gave Foru m members a number future for the people of th e Pacific, of guiding principles and measures to by esta blishing th e Pacific Islands take in the event of a crisis affecting the Forum in August 1971. Th ei r aim was region . These initiati ves underscore th e to cooperate regionally on com mon leve l of cooperation and consultation concern s, thereby maki ng th e most of that is required as we face up to new what was often very li ttle in te rm s of challenges. reso urces. Th is yea r, we joined you in Forum Lead ers envisage that th e mou rning the last of the original Forum deve lopment of the Pacific Plan w il l co-founders, the late Ratu Sir Kami sese be a dynami c process, ex tend i ng M ara, who left us in April. over an as yet un specified number of A great leader of the region, Ratu Mara was a strong yea rs. Th e wo rk will initiall y seek to in crease cooperati on advocate of th e Pacific Way, a philosophy tha t guided the at sectoral levels and encourage more effec ti ve worki ng reg ion's approach to political, economic and socia l issues. relationships among regional organ isations. A framework for Days before Ratu Mara died, a new generation of Pacific th e development ofthe Plan w ill be presented to th e Lead ers Islands Forum Lea ders met in a Special Lea ders retreat in at their meeting. in Apia in August 2004. Au ckland, New Zea land to give the Forum a refres hed The Eminent Perso ns Group Report, on w hi ch th e Leaders mandate and a new vision. The Lea ders focused on fo ur key decisions are based, noted that there is considerable scope areas - economic growth , sustainabl e development, good for enhanced cooperation and a more co mprehensive governance and secu ri ty ~ and ca ll ed for stru ctured measures regional approach to shared security interests and suggested to address them. a number of areas for greater shared"effort and the pooling In effect, th e Pacific Way has fo und new express ion in a of resource s. Pacific Plan. There is much work to be done to justify the faith Some of th is already exists, such as is evident in the work placed in us by our founders and the ci tizens of the Forum. of th e Council of Regional O rga nisations in the Pacific Thi s is, of course, a very exci tin g time to be worki ng (CROP), of whi ch the Forum Secretariat is a member. Other with th e Forum fam ily, and it is, for me, a ve ry welcome opportuniti es for pooling of resources wi ll require innovative coincidence that I began my term as Secretary General just approaches, and a great deal of thinking outside the box. as the Forum was exa mining its sense of mission. Leaders Regional cooperation w ill be as strong and vibrant as have cl ea rl y placed a continuing high va lue on the Forum and members want it to be. Apart from the opportunities before on its releva nce to their national and regional interests, and us, there are clea rl y a number of daunting challenges, quite much effort has been invested in see ing that the Pacific Plan, a few of them not of our making. And the most complex however it evolves, becomes a positive force in th eir li ves. chall enges, whether they are in gove rn ance or economi c For th is to happen, it is essential that we justify th e support reform, are the ones we need to se riously tackle before the shown to us by our members and strategic partners. There is a si tuation, as ca n so metimes happen, gets out of hand. very simple issue that must guide our work - are we making a The tem ptation to change nothi ng does not mean th at positive difference in the lives of our communiti es? Rega rdless nothing w il l change. Internally, factors such as population of the policies and programmes we come up w ith, if we do growth wi ll guarantee more press ure on ou r sc hools, not act in the best interests of our own peopl e, then we are roads and hosp itals. Externall y, the process we know as wastin g yo ur ti me and your money. globali sation is here to stay and none of us are immune from In my first Report to Leaders, I wish to acknowledge the its impacts. Trying to make the best use of it, in a way that work of my predecessor, Noel Levi of Papua New Guinea, who converts the process into a positive force for the benefit of did much to maintain the Forum 's focus on the core iss ues of the people of the region is, th e only way to go. national and regional development. During his steward ship, For reasons which w ill be known to all of you the region the Forum pu shed through a wide range of regional in itiatives, has come under particular scru tiny of late and, whether we among them, th e PAC ER economic cooperation and PICTA agree or not, it has done so, for many of the wro ng rea so ns. free trade agreements. Leaders also adopted the landmark Th ere has been scrutiny of the Forum itse lf and of its abil ity Pacific Islan ds Forum Secretariat 2003/2004 Annual R e port

to respond effective ly to challenges fa cing th e region and, to ass ist a fell ow member in cri sis. There remain s much to beyond that, its ability to ensure, as best it may, that th e proper do in Solomon Islands and we look forward to playing an groundwork is laid for susta ined prosperity and stability in ongoing role in this important work. the reg ion. At annual Forums since the mid-1990s, Forum member Leaders have also recognised that theirVision for the Pac ific states have co mmitted themselves to more effective ca nnot be achieved by Governments alone, but ca n on ly be governance. Specific undertaki ngs have been made to ensure attained on a platform of broader partnersh ips. Thi s principle th at th e management of mem ber co untri es' resourc es is more invites wider consu ltation on Forum issues, including work in g open, transpare nt, accountabl e, equ itable and respons ive to with non-member stakeholders such as our development peop le's needs. partn ers, the media and civil society. We saw exa mples of Th e 1997 Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) wider engagement at this yea r's Forum Eco nomi c Ministers Prin ciples ofAcco untability provided guidelines for the proper Meeting in Rotorua\ New Zea land, where represe ntati ves management of public funds. The Biketawa Declaration from the private sector provided usefu l insights into the links highlights th e "Commitment to good governance which is between policy on paper, an d practice on the ground. At the th e exercise of authority (lea ders hip) and interacti ons in a Forum Regional Security Committee meeting in Nadi, Fi ji, mann er that is open, transpa rent, acco untable, parti cipatory, invited spea kers provided a fres h perspective on th e issue of consu ltative and decisive but fai r and equitabl e." Last yea r, governance in deve loping countri es. Thi s approach to ou r Forum Leaders adopted Principles of Good Leadership, wh ich work will, I hope, give our work a much broader relevance take into account both tradi tional Pacific va lues and the to the community. It is essentia l that other major partners Forum Leaders' co mmitment to the principles contai ned in - non-state actors, community groups an d other policymakers the Biketawa Declaration. The Secretariat is also supporting - share our sense of the intimate co nn ection between legislative reform in member countries through the annual key iss ues such as governan ce, economi c developm en t, Forum Presiding Officers Conference. and security, and our stated aim of achieving sustainable In work ing to support good govern ance in the region, we development. need to make every effort to define what good governance Forum Island Countries are faced w ith a w ide variety of is in a Pac ific co ntext. In other words, what is the ideal mi x secu ri ty threats, ranging from natural di sasters, environmental between good, internationally accepted best practice, on the degradation, to food shortages and, in broad te rm s, the one hand, an d loca l circumstances on the other. . cha llenges of globali sation. Economic reform strategies If our Leaders have committed to governance as a core which involve, for example, downsizing th e public sector and issue, th en part of our duty is to ensure that govern ance is privatisation will, if not properl y managed and implemented not so mething that is left to Leaders or even to governments. have soc ial impacts - un employment and increas ing urban Govern ance is so mething that should be promoted across the pove rty for example - that ca n in turn become a source of boa rd, and includes key partn ers such as the private sector, security threa ts. Clearl y, the Pacific concept of security the med ia and civil society. threats ha s a much broader base than the traditional view of an external military threat or the impacts of transnational I would like to thank Prime Minister Helen Clark of New organised crim e. Zea land for her guidance during her term as Forum Chair. I am su re th at the 35'" Pacific Islands Forum, meeting in Ap ia, Having sa id that, the Foru m w ill playa full and active role Samoa will extend the sa me high level of support to Pr ime in combating the threats posed by transnational organ ised Minister Tui laepa Sa ilele Malielegao i of Samoa, as the in­ crim e and terrori sm. It is esse nti al that ou r members make com ing Fo ru m Chair. it less attractive for orga ni sed crim e to use our co untri es as transit po in ts or so urce markets for their ill ega l acti viti es. I look forwa rd to working with you all to build on our There are, unfortunately, too many examples today where strengths, and to cooperate as a Forum fami ly to make the crim inal elements have taken adva ntage of loopholes in our Pacific a.better place for our people. laws and weak nesses in ou r law enforcement ca pacity. The only way to co unter criminal elements operating across ou r borders is to work more close ly together on law enforcement ca pacity and to modernise our laws. Espec ially since the adoption of th e Biketawa Declarati on at the 2000 Forum, th e Forum has also shown itself w illing to act on the precept th at the security of one is the sec urity Greg Urw in of all. The most important work undertaken so fa r in the context of Biketawa has been th e Regional Ass ista nce Mission to So lomon Islands (RAMS!), a major achievement for the reg ion, and a co mprehensive express ion of its willingness Pac ific Islands Forum Secretariat 2003/2004 Ann u al Repor t

Pacific Islands Forum

The Pacific Isla nds Forum was founded in August 1971 and comprises 16 independent and se lf-governing Pacific states. The Forum is the region's premier political and economic pol icy organization with Forum Leaders meeting annually to develop collective responses to regional issues.

Th e Forum members are Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republ ic of the Marsh?"lslands, Samoa, Solomon Islan ds, Tonga, Tuva lu and Va nuatu. The French territory of New Ca ledonia was admitted to the Forum in 1999 as an Ob­ server} while the independent state of Timor Leste was admitted in 2002 as a Special Observer.

The Forum has no forma l rules governing its operations or the conduct of its meetings. Part of the Leader's agenda is based on reports from the Secretari at and rela ted regional organisations and committees, as well as other issues that Leaders may wish to raise. Decisions by the Leaders are outlined in a Forum Communique, from w hich pqlicies are developed and a Work Programme is prepa red. The annual Forum meetings are * ** . chaired by the Head of Government of the Host Country, w ho remains as Forum * .. Chair until the next meeting. ~ .... : The Forum's administrative arm, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, is based in . Suva, Fiji. It acts as the Secretariat for Forum-related events, implements decisions by the Leaders, faci litates the delivery of development ass ista nce to member sta tes, and undertakes the political and legal mandates of Forum meetings. The Secretari at also oversights the operations offourTrade Offices in Auckland, New Zealand; Beijing, People's Republic of China; Sydney, Austral ia and Tokyo, Japan. The Sec retariat is funded by contributions from member governments and donors w ith a 2004 budget of FJ$15 million. * The Forum Secretary General is responsible to the Forum and to the Forum Officials p ** Committee (made up of representatives from all Forum Governments) w hich * * * oversights the Secretariat's activities. Th e Secretary General is permanent Chair of * ** the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pac ific (C ROP) made up of ten main regional organisations in the Pacific region: * Fiji School of Medicine (FSchMJ .. * South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency (F FA) .. Pac ific Islands Development Programme (PIDP) Secretariat for the Pac ific Community (S PC) South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) South Pacific Board for Educational Assess ment (S PBEA) Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) South Pac ific Regional Environment Programme (S PREP) South Pacific Tourism Organisation (S PTO) University of the South Pac ific (U SP)

Si nce 1989, the Forum has held Post Forum Dialogues w ith key Dialogue Partners at Ministerial level. There are currently twelve partners - Canada, People's Republic of China, European Union, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, United Ki ngdom and the United States. The Dialogue is the main avenue for consultations on multilateral ass istance to the region. o Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat 2003/2004 An nual Report

Pacific Islands Forum Special Leaders' Retreat Auckland, New Zealand • 6 April 2004 • The Auckland Declaration

Leaders of Australia, the Cook Islands, Federated States of We seek a Pacific region that is respected for the quality of its Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, New Zealand (Chair), Niue, Palau, governance, the sustainable management of its resources, the Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, full observance of democratic values, and for its defence and Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu met in Auckland, promotion of human rights. We seek partnerships with our New Zealand on 6 April 2004 to consider the Forum Eminent neighbours and beyond to develop our knowledge, to improve Persons' Group review of the. Pacific Islands Forum. our communications and to ensure a sustainable economic Reca lling their decision at the 34th Pacific Islands Forum in existence for al/. Auckland to task an Eminent Perso ns Group to carry out a Lead ers agreed to give effect to this vision through: review of the Forum and its Secretariat, and th~ir direction i. development of the Pacific Pl an. Thi s would create stronger that the review propose a refres hed mandate and vision for the and deeper links between the sovereign countries of the Pacific Islands Forum, as well as an improved capacity allowin g region and identify the sectors where the region could gai n the Forum to provide leadership on reg iona l cooperation and the most from sharing resources of governance and aligning integrati on; policies. It would provide a strategy for il\1plementation; recalling their agreement that the serious challenges facing ii. agreement tha t the key goa ls of the Forum are economic countries of the region warranted serious and ca reful exam in ation growth, susta inable development, good governance and of the pooling of scarce regional resources to strengthen national security and that these goals should form the pri ncipal focus capabi I ities; of the Forum and its Secretaria t; noting that the peoples of the Pacific are the custodians of the ii i. recognition that a fundamental role of th e Forum is to largest, most peaceful an d abundant ocean, its many islands an d su pport the parti cular needs of Sma ll Islands States and to its rich diversity of cu ltures; advocate their interests, especially in regard to theirlimited capacity and protecting their fraile environmen t, including believing that the strengthen ing of Pac ific cultures and languages in the face of external pressu res should be a central concern for from climate change; Forum Leaders; iv recognition that the Forum has to exist for the practical benefit of Pac ific people, and of the importance of cu ltura l paying tribute to an d reaffirming the wisdom of the Forum identity, regional inclu siveness, sub-regional representation, fou nders in recognition the advantages to all Paci fic people of human ri ghts, women and gen der, youth, and civil society cl ose cooperation an d sha red purpose; and invited the Secretary General, in preparing the Pacific recognizing the su bstanti al and many achievements of the Forum Plan, to consu lt, assess and make proposals on how cu ltural an d its associated agencies over the last 33 years since it first identity cou ld be best strengthened through the work of the met in Welli ngton in 1971, its contri bution to the development Forum and CROP agencies, in particular the Secretariat of of a Pac ific regional consciousness and en deavour, af\d the Pacific Community (S PC); consolidating its position as the pre-eminent politica l grouping v. Improvement of the way the Forum communicates its work in the reg ion; to member countries and the w ider worl d; recognising that in a fast changing, complex an d unpredictable vi. reform ofthe Forum's procedures, its meetings, an d the role global environment, it is timely to refresh the Forum to of Leaders, the Cha ir, Ministers and officials. preserve relevance and allow it to continue to provide leadership to the Leaders recognized that the work region. required on taking forward these commitments to achieve the Pacific leaders adopted the following vision vision will form the heart of Forum Leaders believe the Pacific region work over the next decade. can, should and will be a region of . l eaders agreed that it would be peace, harmony, security and economic appropriate from time to time for the prosperity, so that all its people can Forum Leaders' Meeting to revisit the lead free and worthwhile lives. We vision and assess progress towards its treasure the diversity of the Pacific and achievement. seek a future in which its cultures, traditions and religious beliefs are Special Leaders' Retreat, valued, honoured and deve~oped. Auckland, New Zealand

NZMFAT pitoto Pacific Islands Forum Sec retariat 2003/2004A nn ual Re p o rt

Pacific Islands Forum Leaders, Auckland, New Zealand

NZMFAT photo

Forum Leaders meet annually to discuss common concerns and to agree on a Forum Communique outlining the region's positions on key issues. (L -R front): Mr Noel Levi, CBE, Secretary General; HE Tommy E Remengesau, President, Palau; Han Or Robert Woonton, Prime Minister, Cook Islands; Han Sir Allan Kemakeza, Prime Minister, Solomon Islands; Rt Han Helen Clark, Prime Minister, New Zealand; Han John Howard, Prime Minister, Australia; R£ Hon Sir MichaelSomare, Prime Minister, Papua New Guinea; HE Rene Harris, PreSident, Nauru. (L-R back): HE Kessai H Note, President, Republic of the Marshall Islands; Han Edward N Nalapei, Prime Minister, Vanuatu; HE Joseph J Urusemal, President, Federated States of Micronesia; Han Tuilaepa SaileleMalielegaoi.Prime Minister, Samoa; Han Laisenia Qarase, Prime Minister, Fiji; HRH Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ala, Prime Minister, Tonga; Han Saufatu Sopoanga, Prime Minister, Tuvalu; HE Mr Anote Tong, Beretitenti, Kiribati; Hon MititaiagimeneYoung Vivian, Premier, Niue.

PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM. Meetings and Venues 1971 New Zealand - Wellington 1980 Kiribati - Tarawa 1993 Nauru -Aiwo 1972 Australia - Canberra India - New Delh i 1994 Australia - Brisbane Fiji - Suva (mini-Forum) 1995 Papua New Guinea - Madang 1973 Western Sa moa - Apia 1981 Vanuatu - Port Vi la 1996 Republic of Marshall Islands NB: renamed Samoa in 1997 1982 New Zealand - Rotorua - Majuro 1974 Cook Islands - Ra rotonga 1983 Australia - Canberra 1997 Cook Islands - Ra rotonga 1975 Tonga - Nu ku'alofa 1984 TU\lalu - Fu nafuti 1998 Federated States of Micronesia 1976 New Zealand - Rotorua 1985 Cook Islands - Rarotonga - Pohnpei (mini-Forum) 1986 Fiji - Suva 1999 Palau - Koror Nauru - Aiwo 1987 Western Samoa - Apia 2000 Kiribati - Tarawa Fiji - Suva (mini-Forum) 1988 Tonga - Nuku'alofa 2001 Nauru - Aiwo 1977 Papua New Guinea 1989 Kiribati - Tarawa 2002 Fiji - Suva - Port Moresby 1990 Vanuatu - Port Vi la 2003 New Zealand -Auckland 1978 Niue - Alofi 1991 Federated States of Micronesia 2004 Samoa - Ap ia 1979 Solomon Islands - Honiara - Pohnpei 2005 To be confirmed at Forum in Samoa 1992 Solomon Islands - Honia ra

,

, Pacific Islands Forum Sec retariat 2003/2004 A nnu a l R e p o rt

Heads of the Forum Secretariat

1972 - 1979 M ahe Tupouniua, Director Tonga 1979 - 1982 Gabriel Gris, Director Papua New Guinea 1982 John Sh eppard, Director a.i. Australia 1983 - 1986 M ahe Tupouniua, Director Tonga 1986 - 1992 Henry Naisa li, Secretary General Forum Leaders held their 2003 Retreat at the New Zealand Tuvalu Governor General's Residence in Auckland, New Zealand. 1992 - 1998 leremia Tabai, Secretary General Kiribati Forum Members: 1998 - 2004 Noel Levi, Secretary General Australia, Cook Island s, Federated States of M icronesia, Papua New Guinea Fiji, Ki ribati, Nauru, New Zea land, Ni ue, Palau, Papua 2004 Greg Urw in, Secretary General New Gu inea, RepubliC of th e Marshall Island s, Samoa, Australia Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tu va lu, an d Vanuatu. Observer: New Caledon ia. Th e administrative arm of the Pac ific Islands Forum (previously kn own as th e South Pacific Forum until Special Observer: Ti mor Leste. 2000) bega n as a trade bu rea u. It was form all y set up in 1972 as the South Pa cific Burea u for Economic Cooperati on, later th e South Pacific Forum Secretariat, and now the Pacific Islands Forum Secretari at.

The Forum Ollicials Committee (FOC) is the governing body lor the Forum Secretariat and comprises senior officials from the 16 member states. The FOC meets prior to the Forum to help s,et the agenda and again late in the year to approve the Secretariat's Budget and Work Programme. The Forum Secretariat Budget is about FJO 75 million annually. This is made up ala Regular Budget The first Director of the South Pacific Bureau of Economic from member contribuUons (0 run the Secretariat, and an Extra Cooperatiof], Mr Mahe Tupouniua (left) met with Forum Budget from donors to cover activities in the Work Programme. Secretary General, Greg Urwin, during a courtesy visit to the Photo: FOC Budget Committee, November 2003. Forum Secretariat in April 2004. Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat 2 003 / 2004 Annual R e p ort

Development & Economic Policy

NZMFAT phOI O Promoting Economic The 8th annual meeting of Forum Econom ic Ministers, held in Rotorua, New Zealand on 9-10 Jun e, agreed th at a Governance close r partnership must be built with Pa cific communities and their in stitutions to promote governance and accountability. Good economic governan ce ensures th e sound management This includes the ro le of a strong and responsible media; of a country's resources. In the Pa cifi c, where hum an, an independent judiciary and wel l-reso urced independent fin ancial and natural resources form limiting con straints on monitor ing agencies . Ministers ca ll ed for wid er participation developmenl, their efficient use is vital to promote sustai ned by th e pub lic in disc ussions on econom ic reforms and economi c growth an d to alleviate poverty. governan ce, as th ese iss ues are ce ntral to th e wel l being of The Deve lopment and Economic Policy Division (DEPD) Pacific communities. provides advice on economic and economic infrastru cture policy and development w ith a view to incorporating the Considerable di sc ussi on focussed around the governance and management of public enterprises. In the Pacific, the principl es of sound economic governan ce into everyday practi ces in member countries. large size of publi C enterprises in relation to the economy, and undeveloped nature of the private sector, required the Forum Economic Ministers ~eeting (FEMM) public sector to be particu larly efficient in its use of resou rces. The FEMM supports the pursuit of good govern ance and Ministers noted th e need for continu ed natio nal effort, to sustainable development by providing an annual opportunity be supported by th e Secretari at and other members where for member co untries and observer organ isat ions (there are requested, to adopt codes of governance, service agreements now over fifteen of these in volved in th e FEMM process) to and performance audits for fu lly government ow ned public deve lop appropriate economic policy frameworks and share enterpri ses. country experiences. , e Pac ifi c Island s Forum Secretariat 2003/2004 A nnu a l R epo rt

FEMM was preceded by a Private Sector dialogue which accountability. The bas ic lessons of th e need for sound des ign allowed national representatives of the pri vate sector and sequencing, publ ic consultation and strong statistica l to consider key iss ues before FEMM. These views were underp inn ing of economic reform were also see n to be presented to Ministers through the FEMM Officials Preparatory w idely accepted amongst FICs. Meeting and also through private sector participation in the FICs indica ted sati sfaction w ith the progress and outcomes FEMM Ministerial Disc ussio n Sess ion on Public Enterpri se of their financial sector reform s and noted th e useful Governance and Management. supportive ro le played by FEMM disc uss ion of rela ted issues 2004 Biennial FEMM Stocktake and principles . This progress of financial sector reforms is slightly weaker and less adva nced in the smaller island state Monitoring the implementation of decisions aids in promoting members. I good governance. Annual Forum Econ omic Action Plans have been developed through th e Forum Economic Ministers The Stocktake noted a strong commitment to implementation meetings, but th ese are only fully effective when implemented of improvements to the trade and in vestment environment. at the regional and national level. At the regiona l level this is now being progressed through th e Forum Trade Ministers meeting. Forum island countries Th e 2004 Biennial FEMM Stocktake provided a status highlighted the avai lability of financial and human resources report on each FI Cs' implementation of four key areas of th e and technical ski ll s as the most common constraints to the FEMM Action Plans: good govern ance; economi c reform s; implementation of FEMM com mitments. financia l reform s; and trade and investment. Th e stockta ke report also highl ighted barriers to implemen tation of FEMM Decision Making in leT decisions and efforts to overcome these ba rriers. Th e Eminent Persons' Group Review of the Pacific The 2004 Stocktake indicated a stro ng commitment by Islands Forum (April 2004) highlighted In fo rmation & Forum island cou ntries to implementati on of the Forum Communications Technologies (lCTs) as a priority area given Eight Principles of Accountab il ity, bu t some dive rgence in the ex isting barriers to the implementation of better digita l the extent of compl iance and enforcement of the principles. communications. In April 2004, Foru m Leaders agreed to Thi s is particularly so in the di st in ction between inten tion endorse and lead the development of a Pa cific Plan, intended to implement and actual implementation. Nonetheless, to create stronger and deeper links between the countries of ongoing improve ments in implementation over the pa st the region. Th e Pl an will include the development of a digital two yea rs indicated th at the region was making a concerted strategy for the region, based on the 1999 Communications effort to move in the direction of improved transparency and Action Plan.

In February 2004, EU Commissioner for Development, Mr Poul Nielson (right) and Acting Forum Secretary General, /osefa Maiava, signed financing agreements for European Devcelopment Fund regional projects. The EU has run regional projects in the Pacific since 7975, with the first of four Lome Conventions. Between 1975-2002, European Development Fund resources allocated to Pacific projeclS Iota led Euro 165 million (F/$363 million). Under the new Cotonou Agreement, new funding . under the 9th EDF will raise the total allocation since 7975 to Euro 194 million (F/$427 million) by 2007. This does not include the EU's extensive assistance for national projects. Pa cifi c Islands Forum Secrelariat 200 3/ 2004 Annual R e port

The 1999 Forum Communica ti ons Poli cy Ministerial rather than to rapidly reac t to changes forced upon them. Meeting had agreed on a comprehensive Action Plan, along Th e PIASA sets ou t rul es for fa ir competition and pri cing, and with a vision for the Pac ific Information Economy. Thi s was allowa nces for tra nsparent subsidies to ensure main tenance reaffirmed in 2002, although Ministers noted then th at of socia l services. progress had depended on domestic capaciti es and national PI ASA continues th e evo lution of Pac ific regional pri oritie s. At the second Forum Communi cation s Ministers' integration that is exemp li fied by the regional trade ini tiative Meeting (Suva 2002), Ministers recogni sed the importance of PAC ER (Pa cific Agreement on Closer Economi c Relations) of co ntinu all y mon itorin g impl ementation of the Forum and PICTA (Pac ific Isl and Countri es Trade Agreement). Work Communications Action Plan and agreed that the stocktake ha s been undertaken to propose a modality for a legal process initiated in preparation for th eir meeting provides qn framework on a Region al Trade in Services Agreement as an effective mea ns of monitoring the Action Plan. extension to the PICTA. There is poten ti al for Air Services to Ministers ta sked the Forum Secreta ri at and the Pac ific be one of these areas ta rgeted for liberalisa tion - however the Islands Te leco mmun ications Association to undertake services sector is mu ch more co mplex, due its comprehensive a co mprehensi ve data co ll ection exercise. The current coverage, the fou r modes in whi ch services are traded, and stocktake round will improve genera l telecommun icati ons that barriers to trade in services are not as transparent as policy formulation through a more detai led understanding trade in goods. of ex istin g implementa tion , by monitoring nati onal actions Pacific Transport Study as ou tlined in th e Communications Action Plans 2002. An update on the Pacific ICT Survey 2002 is inten ded to Furth er recognition of th e need to cont inue to improve obtain accurate, complete and updated data to improve govern ance and management of transport links in the region understa nding of ICT developments in the region and to was given by the dec ision of Fo rum Leaders at their 2003 enh ance decision-makin g in areas of poli cy and prograrnme Meeting for Australia to fund an d undertake aviation and development. shipping scoping studies. The stocktake and survey update questionnai re is to be The Pa cific Regional Transport Study w ill look at the completed by the relevant national and regional organ isations, challenges faCi ng the region in aviation and shipping. It and analYS is of the outcome will be presented at the Pa cific is expected to ex am ine potenti al for th e pooling of scarce Islands Tel ecommunication s and Asia Pacifi cTelecommuni ty regional reso urces to strengthen national ca pabi liti es . A ICT Meeting, to be held in August 2004, in Nadi, Fij i. transport sy mposium was held on 30-3 1 March 2004 in Suva, Fiji, attended by shipping and aviation officials to discuss th e Pacific Islands Air Services Agreement issues presented by th e study tea m. It was also an opportunity (PIASA) to disc uss outstanding tran sport iss ues in the co ntext of trends The av iation sector is libera li sing wo rl dwide and w ith in both regionally and globally and to exp lore mea ns by which the Pacific region. Globa l regimes of regu larl y negotiated the reg ion ca n cooperate to meet the chal lenges in av iation bi latera l air service agreements are bei ng superseded by and maritime se rvices. A final report on the study ou tcomes an enviro nm ent fea turin g "open skies" and multilatera l will be presented to Leaders at the 2004 Forum for thei r agreements that represent the vast majority of markets for cons iderations. touri sm and trade. Th e Pac ific Islands Air Services Agreement (PIASA) was Regional Cooperation presented for signature at the 2003 Forum Lea ders Meeting, The Pacifi c is a diverse reg ion, however it has demonstrated held in Auck land, New Zea land. To date, four countries - th e the advantages which can be rea ped through close coop­ Cook Islands, Nauru, Tonga and Vanuatu - have Signed th e era tion. Cooperation strength ens the voice of the Pacific on PIASA. Th e PIASA will be open for signing by Forum Leaders the world stage, allows a coordi nated effort to tackle shared at the 2004 Forum, in Apia, Samoa . problems and co ncern s, and makes the most efficient use The PI ASA is based on so und economic principles which of the region's resources through achieving economies of promote tran sparency and accountab ility in air service sca le. Th e Developm ent and Economic Policy Division operations. The PIASA will su pport expa nsion and efficiency wo rks to strengthen regional coord in ation and cooperation improvements for ai rlin es and lea d to cost sav ings to airlin es at all levels. which can be shared w ith users. It is deSigned to support th e Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ai rlines of the Pacific region in ada pting to corning changes and to proacti vely take hold of the opportunities offered, Poverty in all its forms is considered to be the greatest chal­ lenge to the internati onal community. While the Pacific island

\

'I t •

\ ' Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat 2003/2004 Annua l Report

people have been largely spa red the grinding poverty found in other parts of th e wo rld, there is growing co ncern about the issue in many of the co untries in this reg ion. The MDGs complement the region's own development ta r­ gets set at Forum Lea ders meetings and other related meet­ ings and confe rences. They provide goa ls and targets that directly measure the effectiveness of development strategies. The MDGs are a mea ns for creating a better understand ing of the linkages between development problems, especially cro ss cutting issues such as gender, yo uth, HIV/AIDS etc. by measuring development beyond basic economic growth. The MDGs also promote good governance by monitoring equity, cultural, environ menta·1 an d other dimensions of deve lopment. The Forum Sec retari at is committed to ass isting its members to use the M illennium Development Goals as a framework, (L-R) Key issues at the Pacific Islands Oceans Policy Forum in ... au .. by providing goa ls and targets that directly measure the ef­ February 2004 were outlined by (L-RJ Director of the South fecti veness of development strategies, brought about th rough Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission., Cristelle Pratt; Director improved governance, to address poverty and improved hu­ of the Forum Fisheries Agency, Feleti Te'o and Chair of the PIROF, man development. DEPD has establis hed a CROP/UN MDGs Alf Simpson. work in g group whose main tas ks are to provide ongo ing as­ sistan ce the reg ion and member co untri es, indi vidually, with approach. The focus of PRIDE is on strengthening the edu­ th e mainstreaming of MDGs into national development plan­ cation sector plan ning and implementation in the reg ion. ning frameworks and use of MDGs through tailored targets In addition, the project will provide ass ista nce to member and indicato rs as a monitoring and eva lu ati on mechan ism for co untries by supporting th e implementation of some areas the implementation of national development strategies. of the education plans, according to the priority needs de­ Pacific Regional Initiatives for the Delivery of termined by the countries. The project will also develop an on-line resou rce cen tre th at w il l encou ra ge sharing of best­ Basic Education (PRIDE) practices and experi ences among member countries. PRID E is The Pacific Regional Initiatives fo r the Delivery of (Basic) co-funded by the European Uni on's 9,h ED F Pacific Regional Education project - known as PRIDE - aims is to improve the Indicative Programme and NZAID and is being implemented quality of basic education in the Pacific through a regiona l by the Uni vers ity of the South Pacific. HIV/AIDS Th e 2003 Forum Communique directed that a regional strat­ egy be developed for the 2004 Forum. Through a process of w idespread consultation and close cooperati on with th e Secretariat of the Pac ific Community, this has been ach ieved. The Strategy takes a co mprehens ive approach to tack ling the issue of HI V/AIDS and incorpora tes preven tion and aware­ ness; ca re of those living with and affected by th e vi ru s; increasing partnership and coordin ation, withi n the co ntext of cultural va lues of the Pacifi c peoples. Disability in the Pacific IBu ilding on the 2003 Forum Commun ique that ca lled on re­ giona l and international organisations to undertake research in the field of disability, the Forum Secretariat com mi ss ioned a regional review of legislation and policy into disability Forum Education Ministers met in January 2004 in Apia, Samoa utilising fund ing from th e DFID supported Social Research and agreed to a biennial stock take of progress on the Forum Fund. Th is area of resea rch was identified after cons ultation Education Action Plan. w ith the sub-regiona l office of Disabled Peoples In ternational CD Pac ific Islands Forum Secretariat 20 0 3/ 2004 Annual Report

Security Treaty, formalising PASO under international law, w ill be considered and open for signing by Forum Lea ders at the 2004 Forum in Apia, Samoa. Ten-Year Review of the Barbados Programme of Action The ten-year review of the Barbados Programme of Action (BPOA+ 10) was one of th e important targets in the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD ) Johannesburg Plan of Implementation relevant to the Pacific Sma ll Island Deve loping States (SIDS). Thi s rev iew process has been seen as an opportunity to not onl y review th e implementa tion of th e BPOA, but al so to jumpstart implementation of the outco mes of the WSSD, and reinvi gorate the commitment of Pacific SI DS to the implementation of sustainable devel­ opment. (L-R) Prof. Rajesh Chandra, University of the South Pacific; Head The BPOA+ 10 review, through its draft Action Strategy, of the EU Delegation in th e Pacific, Frans Baan, and the then reaffirm s th e integration of economic, socia l and environ­ Forum Secretary General, Noel Levi, CBE signed a Euro 8 million mental policies, guidelines, effecti ve legi slative and informa­ education agreement in November 2003. The Pacific Regional ti on arrangemen ts and deci sion-making as mea ns to guide Initiatives for the Delivery of (basic) Education (PRIDE) benefits the 14 Forum Island Countries. New Zealand earlier provided in vestment and ensure sustain able development. The issue of NZ$5 million towards PRIDE. main stream in g 9f these th ree pi ll ars is an important element of integration. For exa mpl e, human, financial, and data re­ so urces, shape a country's approach to in tegrating econ omi c (DPI), which is a member of the CROP Hea lth and Popula­ and environmental policies an d practices. Such integrati on tion Working Group. DPI has also been involved with the w ill need to be done through the development of National process of engagement with non -s tate actors and th e Forum Susta inable Development Strategies. Pacific SIDS have begun Secretariat. devel opment of national assessment reports for the review Th e review confirmed that legis lative fra meworks on di s­ and national sustainable development strategies. ability are mostly inherited from pre-independence days and do not acknowledge the rights of persons w ith disabi lities Cooperating to Protect Our Ocean nor do th ey guarantee services to them. There are, however, Th e Pa cific Ocean unites the people more than anything so me enco uraging developments and initiatives in the region else. Further that it has supported many generations of ou r that can be used as models. The review en dorsed the Bi wako peoples - not only as a medium for transport but also as a M illenn ium Framework on disability, which was endorsed so urce of food, tradition and culture. Th e devel opment of by Leaders in 2003 , as providing a useful set of principles the Pacific Regiona l Ocean Policy is ba sed on th e aware­ on which to build national policy. ness of the potential for fragmentation of programs and for Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) co nfli cting co mmitments in different sectors as ocean-related activiti es increases. This requ ires increased, and diligent, Regional cooperation in safety regu lation and oversight regional collaborati ve arrangements among Pa cific Island among Pacific island co untri es reached an important mil e­ co mmunities. stone with th e establishment of the Pacific Av iation Safety Th e vision of th e Forum Lea ders, as embodied in the O ffi ce (PASO) on 1 August 2002, in Port Vila, Va nuatu. Policy, is a "hea lthy ocean that sustai ns the livelihoods an d The iss ue of regi ona l co-operation in safety regu lation aspirations of Pa cific Island communities". Th e policy's goal and oversight has been disc ussed in the Pa cifi c region for is to ensure the future sustain able use of the ocean and its several yea rs. The cooperative regional approach has great resources by both Pacific island communities and their ex­ potential to improve the existing safety and secu rity reg ime in tern al partners. the Pacific, based on economies of scale and shared ca pa c­ Th e challenge for th e region is to realise the Policy's Vision ity, to max im ise opportuniti es, and to create a harmon ised operating environm ent in the Pacific. A multilateral treaty, through implemen tation of the Poli cy. To this end a Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Foru m (PI ROF) was convened from to be known as th e Paci fi c Islands Civil Av iation Safety and 2-6 February 2004. Th e primary objective of the Regional Pacific 1slands Forum Secretariat 2003/2004 An nual Report

Forum was to develop a Pacific Islands Regional Ocean that provides consi derable input and indeed a differing Framework for Integrated Strategic Action. Thi s is a fram ework perspective on iss ues of importance to the Pacific. Th e for implementation of th e Po licy. DEPD, through its partnerships strategy, takes an inclusive Th e framework is ba se d on th e fi ve gu iding principles approach to the NSAs and continues to develop a framework contained in the policy that are central to the overarching for formalising relationships with NSAs. aim of improving ocean governan ce in order to achieve the Donor Harmonisation goal of sustainable use of ocean resources. Th ese principles ca ll for improving the understanding of th e ocean; sustai n­ Increasingly at the international leve l, effectiveness of ably developing and managing the use of ocean resou rces; overseas development assistance (ODA) has been qu esti oned. maintaining the hea lth of the ocean; promoting the peaceful For th e Pacific, a ce rtain degree of reli ance on ODA for the use of the ocean; and, crea ting part nerships and promoting implementation of various development strategies has been recognised. However, it is important th at the Pacific ensures cooperation. effective use of ODA to bring about development benefits for Sexual Harassment Policy the people. Donors, w ith their multitude of systems and vary ing The Forum Secretari at adopted a sexual harassment policy demands on developing nations have recognised the way in in August 2003. The aim of the policy is to promote and en­ which ODA is delivered and managed needs to be refined to hance sa fe and supportive work practi ces that are conducive reduce burdens on recipi ent countries. The Pacific and their to crea ting a respectful and productive environment. Th is development partners adopted va ri ous principles of donor policy applies not onl y to the Forum Secretari at, but extends harmoni sation that is intended to reduce aid management to all PIFS orga nised meetings, workshops and events. It acts burdens. Inclusive in these principles are government-led as a guideline to prevent sex ua l harassment occurring and to and owned strategies for development; nationa lly identified sa nction it in th e event of it occurrence. Other CRO P agen­ priorities; use of national systems for disbursement and cies are encouraged to develop sex ual harassment poli cies procurement; mutual tru st and accountabi lity; and clear using the PIFS policy as a guide. national development frameworks linked to national budgets (both recurrent and development). Partnerships for Development Current work aims to strengthen ca pacity in planning, aid Forum Islan d Countries are still developing and there needs management and pol icy setting. Promoti on of th e Pac ific to be close invo lvement of partners in thi s development principles and advoca ting Pacific Islands Countri es needs process, both to bring forward financial resources but also specific to development partner relationships form part of technica l ca pacity and know-how. The Divis ion work s to the annual work programme of the Division. strength en partnershi ps and promote th e effective use of development ass istance. A multi-pronged approach is taken to strength ening development partnerships - undertaking analys is and supporting technical assista nce for regional development programmes, as well as monitoring and eva lu at ion. Th ree smal l grants sc hemes - the Short-term Techni cal Advisory Scheme, the Foru m Secretariat Fellowshi p Scheme and the SIS Deve lopment Fund - are also managed. Framework for Engagement with Pacific Regional Non-State Actors (NSAs) Recogni sed as va luab le pa rtn ers in development and advocacy of issues, the Pacific Regional Non-State Actors work in coll aboration w ith th e Secretariat in pursuing similar outcomes for th e Pac ific. Through the Framework A select Committee of the Forum Presiding Officers Conference for Engagement w ith Pacific Regional Non-Sta te Actors, the (FPOC) agreed in October 2003 to support an independent Secretariat invites the parti ci pation of the NSAs to va riou s FPOC Secretarial, after considering a feasibility study. The policy discussions and al so welcomes th e inclusion of the Commillee comprised (L-R) Hon. Alapana Siakimotu, Speaker, NSAs on the va rious Working Groups. The knowledge and Niue; H on. Bill Ska te, Speaker. Papua New Guinea, and Hon. experti se housed by the many regional NSAs is a resou rce Ruben lachras, Deputy Speaker, Republic of the Marshall Islands. Pacific Isla nds Forum Secretariat 2003/2004 Annual Report

Forging partnerships at the impact of the regional assistance mission on the lives of the people of Solomon Islands. Th e study establ ished The Division works to ensure the partnerships forged at base line data, which can be measured in fu rther stages to the highes t levels are translated into practical working assess progress. The Millennium Development Goa ls (MDGs) arrangements that benefit member cou ntries. In this respect form the basi s of the indicators, along w ith the Solomon the Division has been invo lved in working with other CROP Island Government's National Eco nomic Recovery, Reform Agencies and development partners in the Pacific on specific an d Development Plan. acti vities. An example of this is the collaborati ve approach that DEPD, UNDP and SPC have worked with the Government of Eu ropean D evelopment Fund Solomon Islands to conduct a needs assessment on capacity • Since 1975 European Union (EU ) ass istance to the Pacific requ irements for the Department of Reform and National Regional Indicative Programme (PR IP) has totalled €194 Planning. Thi s exercise enabled the Government to recognise million. These funds are programmed and administered that resource requirements and procedural aspects of the through the Regional Authorising Officer (RAO), the Secretary Department required strengthening. General, PIFS . Project implementation is undertaken on Pacific Island Countries/ D evelopment behalf of the Pacific ACP Sta tes by several organisations, Partners M eeting predominantly CROP. Within the context of donor harmonisa tion and forging Th e Forum Secreta riat plays an important ro le in terms of partnerships, the annual Pa cific Islands Countries and coordinating regional EDF programme development with sta keholders and a crucia l day-to-day administrative fu nction Development Partners Meeting, managed by DEPD, serves to provide a co ndui t for countries and development ensuring that all EDF programmes are implemented to the pa rt ners to share experiences and conce rn s specific to a best advantage of th e region. In the la st few years the RAO donor/development pa rtner/country relationsh ip. Issu es of has improved control over the PR IP, w ith the res ult that many particular co ncern to the Pacific are rai sed at the meeting, spent or redundan t projects and co mmitments have been while the Forum Economic Ministers' Action Plan with its closed with funds recycled into new initi at ives. At the same implementation matrix are presented to development partners time, programming has been rationalised by using a sector to with an intent to identify areas of possible assistance - both approach through CROP/Non-State Actors working groups, technica l and financial that ca n be provided by partners. and contract man agement procedures have been streamlined through the introduction of "Grant" and "Contribution" Social Impact Assessment on Solomon Islands agreements. As one of a range of activities to ass ist So lomon Islands in its In the last 12 months th e rate of financial commitment' restoration of peace, the Forum Secretariat com missioned a ha s rea ched virtually 100% on al l EDFs (6''', 7'" , 8'" and soc ial impact assessment. The aim of the study was to look

UNESCO Education Ministers Meeting, January 2004, Apia, Samoa 1

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat 2003/2004 Annual Report

9") although these figures fluctuate depending on balances end 2003, 16 studen ts had successfully completed their remaining as projects close. This performance compares stud ies. 69% of th ese were at postgraduate level, and 31% favo urabl y with that of other ACP regions and is a marked undergraduate. Their fields of study inc lude Management improvement on prev ious periods. The rate of fund and Pub lic Administration, Education, Hea lth, Tropical di sburse ment' has also improved, w ith th e 6,h and 7" EDF s Fisheries, Journalism and Geograph ical Information Systems. reaching near exhaustion as old projects end. Over the Th e graduates are from: Cook Islands (1), Fiji (7), Papua New coming yea rs' a steady rise in th e rate of expend iture of the Guinea (1 ), Solomon Islands (4), Tonga (1), Tu va lu (1), and 8" EDF is expected, with fu ll disb ursement anticipated in Vanua tu (1). 2007. A summary of the current financial status (cumulative Forty nine students are currently enrolled (semester 112004) total ) is shown in table 7. in 11 campuses, acro ss six countri es (Fiji, Guam, Pal au, The 9" EDF Pa cific Regional Strategy Paper, a collaborative Papua New Guinea, Sa moa and Vanuatu). Two have deferred effort of CROp, NAOs and NsAs, was signed in October 2002 to 2005. Th e breakdown by country of th e 51 current and was the fi rst agreed among all AC P regions. To date, sc holarships are: Solomon Islands (12); Fij i, Samoa and the 9" EDF/PRIP is 87% committed with full commitment Vanuatu (6 each); Pa lau and Tonga (4 each);Tuva lu (3); Cook antici pated by the third quarter of 2004. Islands, Kiribati, Niue, Republic of the Marshall Islands (2 each); Nauru and Papua New Guinea (1 each). Table 1: EOF PRI P: Allocation!commitments! Taiwan! ROC has committed UsD2.5million towards disbursements: 2004(estimate): EURO (Millions) the Scholarship Scheme (UsD500,000 annually). CROP EDF Allocation Com mitted Disbursed organisations have received a little over 15% of the total 6TH 39.00 39.00 38. 15 amount for implementation of thirteen short term training 7TH 35.00 35.00 32.04 workshops; three were approved for 2004. Th e processes and management of the Scholarship Scheme are currently 8TH 35.00 35.00 17.43 under rev iew with consideration to th e views expressed by gTt-1 29.00 25.24 4.54 FICs in a regional workshop in 2003. Source: OLAS/Record of Payment Orders (PIFS): Contracts Japan Funds Bearing in mind th e new performance rul es in force, Th e Government of Japan continues to contribute effectively the Pacific reg ion is in a good position to draw down to th e deve lopment process of the regi on through funding supplementary funding from 9" EDF global re se rves. Should a number of programmes in th e Pacific under th e Pacific this occur, the allocation of additional funds w ill fo llow the Islands Development Cooperation Fund and the Japan Forum findings aQd recommendations of the Mid-Term Revi ew, Partn ership Programme. scheduled in 2005. An ea rl y indication from the EC is that Pacific Islands Development Cooperation a "top-up" to the 9" EDF!PRIP may be avai lable for new or continued in itiatives in Fish eries and Human Resource Fund Development. A smaller amount may be earmarked to fund Established in 2001, the fund aims to promote cooperation for short-term adviso ry services to be used for the development th e development of Pacific Islan d Countries w ith preference and implementation of National Ind icati ve Programm es and given to projects that; a) target more than two Pacific Island NAO capacity-bui lding. Countries; b) have a sign ifica nt impact on the development Taiwan/ ROC Scholarship Awards of Pacific Island Countries; c) involve a contribution from the l Pacific Island Coun tri es; d) ca nnot rea dily be funded from The Taiwan!ROC-rIF scholarship awa rds support human another source; and e) are around UsD50,000. Multi-year resources ca pa city bUilding of 14 Forum island countries. projects are acceptable. Individual scholarships for forma l stu dies are awarded to Since its es tablishment twelve (12) projects have been FIC applica nts, and short term train ing awards to CROP approved for funding under the programme. Of these on ly organisations fo r training workshops or attachments. The two projects have been successfully completed these are the countries specify their priority areas for the scholarships prior Regional Training in Climate Cha nge Impacts, Adaptation to advertising each year, while CROP justify their proposa ls and Vu lnerability implemented by USP and PIFs and the under th e organisation 's strategy for regional HRD ca pacity Tourism & Trade Promotion & Investm ent Partnership Forum building. implemented by sPTO. From the commencement of the Scheme in 2001 to Participants in the two projects were se lected from Forum December 2003, 88 sc holarships have been offered. At Member countries. Students w ho attended the Regional Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat 2003/20 04 Annual Report

Forum Secretary General, Greg Urwin (centre, middle row), with representatives of Pacific regional civil society groups; and Secretariat staff Mr Urwin briefed the groups on the outcomes of the Special Forum Leaders Retreat held a few days earlier in April in Auckland, New Zealand.

Training in Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and th e development and support of the Pacific island countries Vulnerability, " ... strongly felt that the course had considerably in their stri ve for sustainable development and economic improved their understanding an d appreciation of climate stab ility. change issues in the Pacifi c". Similarly ex hibitors w ho DEPD coordinates and manages both programme funds and attended the Tourism and Trade Promoti on and Investment their impl ementat ion under its development cooperation Pa rtnership Forum spoke highly of the event as it gave them strategy. the opportunity to estab lish new marketing contacts. They noted that they were grateful to have been part of the team Canada Funds to promote the region at such a high level event. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) fu nded Canada-South Pa cific Ocean Development Program Japan Forum Partnership Programme (C-SPOD), Ph ase II offers a un ique example of partnersh ips. Another Programme funded by the Japan government PIFS and a Canadian environmenta l research company, LGL contributes to the implementation of projects that; a) Promote Limited, jointly coordinate the project. Th e project in turn intellectual and cultura l exchanges between Japan and Forum funds four CROP agencies (FFA, PIFS, SPREP and USP) to Island Countries; b) Promote dialogue between Japan and carry out projects re lated to sustainable ocean development. the Secreta ri at on iss ues pertaining to reg ional co-operat ion The priorities and projects were se lected by a management and organizations; and c) Promote exchanges at all leve ls, committee composed of the CROP agencies and CIDA. including grassroots levels between Japan and Forum Island In some cases funding to one agency is used to fu nd Countries. activities in other agenci es while in other cases there are Examples of activities funded by the Partnership pa rall el projec ts. Perhaps the best example of pa rtnerships Fund include th e Forum Relations Project, implemented has been th e development of tuna management plans in by PIFS which has helped to strengthen the re lations six is land countries. Th e project is funded through and between the Government of Japan and Forum Member coordinated by FFA but has involved substantia l input from Governments through: annual visits by the Forum Cha ir to SPC and PIFS. Thi s addresses a broad range of issues covering Japan; consultation visits by the Secretariat to Japan; and soc ial and gender, investment and private sector involvement, cons ultations with Japan on arrangements, age nda sett ing fisheries development options, fisheries assessment, legal and and briefings for the annua l Post Forum Dialogue meetings policy issues. The resu lting CountryTuna Management Plan s to discuss future assistance by Japan to the region. have assisted the countr ies to in crease revenues and more Furthermore, a fund-sponsored CROP World Summit on sustainably manage thei r fisheries. The Fiji Tuna Management Susta inable Development Cultural Night, implemented by Plan for example has substantially increased the revenu es SPTO, created an internationally lasting impression of the from the fishery and a porti on (60%) of this revenue ha s un iqueness of the Pacific island cu Iture and also successfu Ily been used to increase the capacity of the Department of exposed the Pacific as a cu ltural and eco-tourism destination. Fisheries to manage the tuna fishery. The Fij i Plan has recently The project also helped to create a positive platform for high won a Canadian Development prize for Environmentally level negotiations between international partners to further Sustainable Development. Pacific Islands Forum Sec reta riat 2003/20 04 Annual Report

Trade & Investment

During the reporting period, th e Trade and Investment RTFP outl ines the region's pri or iti es in th e areas of Customs, Divis ion continued to help Members to improve their trade Quarantine and, Standards and Conformance and w ill ass ist and investmen t performance. The need to support private Members in thei r integration initiatives. Th e FTMM also sector development, especially in the Forum Island Countries considered a progress report on the possible participation of (F ICs) and Fo rum members to integrate thei r economies into th eAmeri can and French Pac ific Territories in both PI CTA and ex tern al trade markets remained a major focus of the Work PACER . As a resu lt, consultations w ith the administration s Program me. in Was hington and Par is have been ini tiated. Regional Integration, Multilateral Trade Policy At the multilateral trade front, progress on the deve lopment Multilateral Trade and Trade of the W TO Small Economies Work Programme continued through collaboration with th e Caribbea n Community and Facilitation Indian Ocean Commission. Fu rther support for that work Regional Integration could be expected fol lowing the appointment in January Th e framework for regional economi c integration expa nded 2004 of the Fo rum Representative to the WTO, Mrs Ana over the review period following the ratification by Papua New Kessie ofTonga. An immediate benefit real ised through this Guinea (PNG) of the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement new offi ce was the nomination in Apri l 2004 of a Senior Tra de (P ICTA) and Pac ific Agreement on Closer Economic Re lations Official from Samoa to ta ke up a six-month attachment in (PACER). PNG thus joined Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiri bati, Nauru, Geneva as part of regiona l techn ical capacity building for N iue, Samoa, Solomon Islands an d Tonga in rati fy ing PICTA. FICWTO members and observers. To further assist the region Th e same group of FICs, together w ith Australia and New on mu ltilateral trade policy, information on APEC's Trade Zea land, has also ratified PACER. A Ru les of Origin Manual and Investment Fa ci li tation and Liberali sa tion age nd a was was completed to assist with the implemen tation of PICTA, also disseminated to Members. APEC members were also whilst Members also benefited from region-wide outreach informed of developments in the region through statements program mes organ ised to disseminate information on the issued by FIC represe ntatives to th e 2003 APEC Ministerial Agreements to stakeholder representatives. Box 1 shows the Meetings held in Thailand. status of the signi ng and ratification of PI CTA and PACER Cotonou Trade Issues/Economic Partnership Trade Facilitation Agreements

St ill under regiona l integration, the 4 th Foru m Trade Ministers The Pacific region has followed a structured approach in Meeting (FTMM) in Port Moresby, PNG on 8 April 2004 preparing itse lffor the EPA negotiations w ith the EU. Technica l discussed the outcomes of PICTA- and PACER-related studies studi es, national co nsu lta tio ns, support to member states and and, preparations re lating to the formalisation of the Regional reg ional seminars we re th e major activiti es undertaken to Trade Facilitation Programme (RTFP) under PACER. Th e facilitate preparations for th e negotiations. The Trade Experts Pacific Islands Forum Secreta riat 2003/2004 Annual R eport

Advisory Group (TEAG ), Senior Trade Officials and Trade Intellectual Property Rights M in isters also met to discuss and endorse the work done so Intellectual Property (IP) Rights policy development focused far in re lation to the negotiations. on strengthen ing the region 's IP regimes and laws with the For example, the Pacific ACP Trade Ministers Meeting aim of providing investors with a co nducive and supportive held in Port Moresby, PNG on 7 April 2004 endorsed th e environment. Legislative drafting and up-dating national IP Pacific ACP Regional Action Plan, Pacific Road Map, Pacific laws, train ing for IP offi ce rs and publi c awareness rais ing Regiona l Negotiating Guideli nes and th e draft Reg ional were key activity areas under th e Regionally Focussed Action Negotia ting Strategy. This was made poss ible through the Plan for strengthen ing the region 's IP regimes. The World conduct of a number of technical studies of interest to the Intel lectual Property Organ isation and th e Government region and consultations that were undertaken at the national ",f Australia through IP Australia also played a vital role in level. Box 2 ha s a summary of the completed trade-related supporting the implementation of the project. Frameworks to studies. Th e TEAG, coordinated by the Secretariat, provided address indigenous IP iss ues progressed further following the technica l support to the Regional Negotiating Machinery, endorsement of th e Regional Model Law for th e Protection Trade Officials and Ministers on a regular ba sis. ofTraditional Knowledge and Expressions of Cu lture in 2002 An important aspect of the Road Map is th e Outreach with two countries Pa lau and Fiji, taking mea sures to adapt Programme, designed to provide not only the Pacific ACP the model law, to their national laws. A sim ilar regional Trade Officials but also Non State Actors (NSAs) and oth ers framework to address Traditional Ecological Knowledge, with information on developments re lating to the EPA Innovations and Pra cti ce is in th e process of development. negotiat ions and the region 's positions on key iss ues . Thi s Outreach Programme w ill continue to be undertaken through Business Development, Export annual National and Regiona l Consu ltations. and Investment Promotion and Th e EPA negotiations between the Pacific ACP region and Import Management the EU are expected to be launched on 10 September 2004. A special booklet entitled "The Pacific ACP-EU Partnership" Investment Policy and Promotion explaining the case of the Pa cific ACP region ha s been Support for the FICs via advice and technica l ass istance in prepared and this was launched at the Pa cific's Informal the area of investment poli cy and prom ot ion cu lminated with Consultation on EPAs with the EU on 29 June 2004. This the 2003 Heads of Investment Promotion Agencies Meeting booklet emphasises the unique development challenges th e (HIPAM) in Tokyo, Japan in September 2003. Th e key decision Pa cific ACP Region is facing, its aspirations for a partn ership of the HIPAM implemented in collaboration w ith the IPAs with the EU in the true spirit of th e Cotonou Agreement and, was strengthening at th e national level, of th e priva te sector suggestions on a pos iti ve way forward in the elaboration of environment and investment insti tutions so as to attract local that partnersh ip. and overseas investors. Status of Signing and Ratification of PielA and PACER 1'I"f''III '''''' COUNTRY PICTA PACER (Entered into force on 13,h April, 2003) (Entered into force on 3rt' October, 2002) Date Signed Date Ratified Date Sign ed Date Ratified f'~~;1J 1& Australia 18-A ug-Ol 03-luly-02 ,.ru ,... '" Cook Islands 18-Aug-Ol 28-Aug-Ol 18-Aug-O l 28-Aug-Ol ~

In conjunction with the The International Kava Executive Commonwea lth Secretariat, Commit/ee, co-chaired by M ultilatera l Inves tment Dr Joerg Gruenwald (Germany ) Guarantee Agency and and Ratu Joe Nawalowalo (Fiji), Foreign Investment Advisory is discussing ways to revive Se rvi ce, two wo rk shops th e Pacific Island kava export industry. A study by Dr Joerg were conducted in Suva, Gruenwald found that there Fij i and Apia, Samoa was no basis for the market on 1-5 December 2003 recalls or restriction on kava by and 2 0 -22 April 2004, health agencies in Europe in 2001, a move that crippled the res pecti ve ly to as sist th e multimillion-dollar Pacific Island IPAs promote on-line their kava exports to Europe and other busin ess opportunities. All major overseas markets. 14 IPAs have now sec ured th eir doma in names and fina lised hosting arrangements and designing of their Project. Trade and investment enquiries received from within websites using a World Bank softwa re ta ilored specifica lly and outside the region were conveyed to national trade and for IPAs around the globe. Through their on-line presence, investment agencies an d pri va te sector organ isa tion s. the IPAs have thus been ass ured of a worldw ide reach. To address the region's concern s on the Kava bans that Private Sector Policy Development have been in place in Europe since late 2001, the Kava Strategy - The Way Fo rward wa s formulated and adopted in A Regiona l Private Sector Development (PSD) Strategy, aimed August 2003. Th e Strategy, ai med primarily at the remova l at building a stro ng, susta in ab le and competiti ve private of bans and res trict ions in Kava export markets, is being sector through appropriate Government po li cies, actions implemented through the Secretariat's collaboration w ith and programmes, was adopted in January 2004. It covers key sta keholders in both th e Pacific and Europe. va rious business-re lated meas ures pertaining to an enabl ing environ ment, including moneta ry, fi scal and trade pol iCY, Petroleum Advisory Service fi nance and credit, trade and tariff regulations, infrastructural In keeping w ith the overarching regional strategic support fa ciliti es, marketi ng, publi c sector procurement, imperatives as outlined in the Pa cifi c Islands Energy Policy inforrn at ion techno logy, education and trainin g. and Plan (PIEPP), work over the pa st yearfocussed on bu ilding Th e Strategy is being implemented in sta ges following capacity w ithin the FI Cs to enable them to champion key national workshops in nine FI Cs namely, Cook Islands, petroleum issues in-house. Advice to the Fie Governments FSM, Fiji, Nauru, Pal au, Sa moa, Tonga, Tu va lu and Vanuatu. covered appropriate legislation, po li cy matters, environment, Its implementation in the remaining FI Cs is scheduled for hea lth and safety, supply, logistics, economic ana lYSiS, late 2004. The need for Public-Private Sector Pa rtn erships, regional pricing, increasin g competi tive press ures, co ntract covered al so in the Strategy, was addressed at the pre-FEMM and pri ce regulati on negotiations an d traini ng. The ass istance Pri vate Sector Dialogue in Rotorua, New Zea land on 7-8 was primarily to fa cilitate in creased competiti ve petrol eum June 2004. Th e Dialogue supported the estab lishment of supply models; encourage suppliers to maintain the qual ity a Reg iona l Bu si ness Foru m and a Region al Pri vate Sector of petroleum products in line w ith releva nt standards; co­ Organisation . It also supported the organi sation of a Regional opera te regionally to collect and dissemi nate information Entrepreneurship Teachers Training Programme for sc hool on fuel demand, regional fuel prices, and related iss ues; teachers and curriculum developers in order to develop and promote the co ll ection, transportation, and environ mentall y inculcate entrepreneurial qualiti es amongst young people. respon sibl e re-u se, disposa l, or remova l of waste oil and The PSD Strategy will also assist FICs in realizing th e benefits other petroleum by-products; and, to promote equitable of PI CTA and EPAs in the medium to long term. availability of petroleum products in rural and remote islands. Private Sector Support In conjunction with SO PAC renewable energy and bio-fuel proj ects, assessments we re also ca rri ed out on alternative Pri vate sector enterprises benefited from the support provided fuels for thei r potential to help reduce petroleum product through the Marketing Support Fund that helped improve imports. Th e bi-monthly published Pacific Fuel Pri ce Monitor the marketing and export ca pabilities of companies, the C­ continued to make a significant impact in assisting th e FICs SPOD II Project for the fi shing industry and, overall ca pacity to keep fuel costs to a reason able level. building through the Industrial Deve lopment Training Pa cific Isl ands Forum Secretariat 2 00 3/20 0 4 A nnu a l R e p o rt

for FIC trad e officia ls on Using IT for Trade Facil itation and Trade Office Support Promotion. In April 2004, th e Bu siness Informati on Guide to Th e Trade Offi ces in Au ckland, Beijing, Sydney and Tokyo the Pa cific Islands and A Directory of Bu siness Development provided support to the region 's private and public sectors. Ass istance Programm es and Financial Services in th e Paci fic Thi s focused on trade faci litation advice to ass ist w ith exports, Islands was published. Two-way trade between Australia and produ ct promoti ons and marketing, in vestment promotion, th e FI Cs for 2003 were compi led and di ssem inated, using bu siness fac ilitation, tourism pro moti on, techn ica l ca pac ity raw data purchased from th e Australian Burea u of Stati st ics. building, networking, image building, import procure ment Other publications and the website helped build awa reness and the di sseminati on of inform ati on. of PITIe's activities . PITIC Auckland . PIFTO Beijing Th e Comm iss ion handled numerous en quiri es and trade Th e O ffi ce fa cilitated trad e of se lec t products into th e visitors. The range of ac tiviti es included ass istance from the People's Republic of China including palm oil, rosewood, Secretari at of the Pacific Community to address th e problem mahogany, pea rl s, fi sh and rel ated marine products mainly of the Rhi zoglyphus minutus pest on imports of taro into New from Cook Island s, Fi j i, Papu a New Gu inea, Samoa and Zea land. Submiss ions were made to Food Safety Australia Tonga. Chinese investors were ass isted with th e establi shmen t and New Zea land (FSANZ) rega rd ing kava an d cassava of fish process ing and food packa ging plants in Fij i, Papu a imports, and an interim arrangement was pu t in to pl ace for New Guinea and Tonga . the res umption of corn ed beef exports fro m Fi ji into New Th e Fiji Tourism Ground Produ ct was introduced to Zeal and, pending BSE categorisati on and compliance. key Chinese Tour Operators to enable competitive holiday A Pacific Islands prese nce was maintained at a va ri ety of packages. PIFTO organised the sponsorship and participation trade shows, including th e Pacific Islands Trade, Trave l and of product managers from China's key outbound tour Arts Showcase that coincided with the Pa cifi c Islands Forum operators to participate at the annual Pac ific Tourism and meetings held in Auckl and, New Zea land in August 2003. 'Bu la Fiji Tourism Exchange'. The O ffice also distr ibuted Investment promotion seminars were convened in Auckl and, translated promotional DVDs covering Cook Island s, Wellington and Christchurch. Federated Sta tes of Micrones ia, Fiji, Niue, Papua New The Commi ss io n upgraded its IT ca pabilities and Gu inea, Sa moa, Tonga and Va nu atu to li censed outbound database, broadened its coverage on produce price reporti ng, tour operators throughout China. The Pacific Islands Tourism introduced a monthl y newsletter entitled 'Pacific Plant Product was also promoted at exhibitions, including China's Focus' and li aised closely w ith th e New Zea land Ministry larges t outbound Travel Fair in Kunming. of Foreign Affai rs and Trade, and Foru m Island Country trade Ongoing projects incl ude ass istance towards a Baby Food and indu stry co ntacts. Production Company to set up a repackagi ng and distribution Th e qua rte rl y Pac ific Importers Roundta ble meetings plant in Va nuatu; Mineral Wa ter Plant for the Eua Islands shared va luable in fo rm ation on trade co ncern s as well as in Tonga; Hotel Development in Fiji and Sa moa; Shopping appropriate remed ies . Th e Commiss ion prov ided reso urce Center Development in Samoa an d a Comm ercia l Pi ggery inpu t at a range of trade-related en titi es and also undertook and Process ing Fac ility in Fi ji. Fu rther support was provided field visits w ithin the regi on . through bu siness delega tions from Ch ina to several FIC members, an d vi ce ve rsa. PITIC Sydney Co mpani es fro m several Forum Island Countries were PIC Tokyo assisted under th e Busin ess Export Australia Programme PIC expanded its promoti onal ac tivities between FICs and (BEA P), whi ch allowed products such as spi ces, essentia l oils, Japan . PI C orga ni zed the Pacific Islands Ex hibition and coffee, cut flowers an d agri cultural produce to be exported Econom ic Exchange Workshop, which coincided with the to Austra lia an d other markets in the region. Th e BEA P also PA LM 2003 meeting between Pa cific and Japanese Leaders. co-sponsored va ri ous company b roc ~ures, as we ll as trai ning It partiCipated in FOO D EX 2004 to promote FIC food exports programmes and short work attachments for FIC officia ls as we ll as in two fai rs for tourism promoti on. A stati stical w ith the Department of Primary Industries in Q ueensland, handbook on Japan's trade w ith FI Cs from 199 8 to 2002 Australia. The Comm iss ion's Pacifi c Investment Programme was also published. Travel guidebooks on Pa lau, Ki ribati, (PIP) pro moted opportunities in the FIC region to potenti al Nauru and Tuva lu were issued, fo llowing the publication Australian and other foreign investors. Th e Commiss ion also of guidebooks on the Federated States of Micrones ia and collaborated w ith UNESCAP on an IT workshop in Sydney Republic of the Marshall Islands in 2002. Pac ifi c Islands Forum Secretariat 2003 / 2004 Ann u a l Report

Trade Related Studies Ouly 2003-June 2004) STUDIES BENEFITS PICTA RELATED 1 . Study on a Proposed Modality for o TI,e study was based on 1999 Forum Trade Ministers decision to undertake work Extending PICTA to Services Tracie on the extension of the free trade area to se rvi ces trade and as a follow up to the By Professor Robert Scollay an d 2001 FTMM decision to develop a modality for the integration of the services Dr Sherry Step henson . sector into the PICTA. The study proposed a modality based on theWTO General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and on a model of th e Carribean free trade agreement on serv ices. Th e pro~osed modality was presen ted to Trade Officials in April 2004 and is with the FICs for furth er consu lta ti ons and comments. A decision on the proposed modality is expected at the 2005 FTMM. The study benefits all FICs sin ce it will ass ist them deci de on the modali ty for free trade in serv ices w ithin the region and once agreed negotiations wi ll proceed on the basis of the modality. 2. Stu dy on Modalities for the o The stu dy benefits all Parti es to PICTA as it w ill assist in determining before April Integrati o n of Alcohol and 2005, w hether or not alcohol and tobacco are to be included in PICTA and the Tobacco in the PICTA by Dr. modality of its integration. Wadan Narsey.

WTO RELATED 3. Study on the Impact of Reducing • The study examines the reduction of trade-di storting measures on edible oils, Temperate Oil subsidi es on FIC while maintaining flexibility for the FICs in li ne with th e Spec ial and Differential coconut and palm oil exports by Treatment principle to su bsidi se their coconut and palm oil industries. McGregor

TRADE FACILITATION

4. Study to Develop Priority Project o The findings of the study assisted FICs to agree on priority programmes and Proposals for the Customs activities on customs issues that w ill enhance and facilitate trade. The RTFP is Component of the Regional Trade to be funded primarily by Austra lia and New Zealand under the PACER. Facilitation Programme (RTFP). 5. Study to Develop a Framework o The findings of the study assisted FICs to agree on priority progra mmes and and Priority proposa ls for the activities on Standards and Conformance issues that w ill enhance and faci litate Standards and Conformance trade. The RTFP is to be funded primarily by Australia and New Zealand under Component of the Regional Trade the PACER. Facil itation Programme. I: i PACIFIC ACP STUDIES 6. EPA Rules of Origin Study by KVA The study ass isted the Pacific ACP Countries in their preparatory work before Samoa. • the launch of EPA negotia tion in September 2002. Ii

7. EPA Trade Faci litation Study by The study assisted the Pacific ACP Countries in their preparatory work before KVA Sa moa. • the launch of EPA negotiation in September 2002.

B. EPA Ex port Capacity Study by The study assisted the Pacific ACP Countries in their preparatory work before Eco-consult Pacific • the launch of EPA negotiation in September 2002.

9. Fisheries Concept Paper by Ian The study outlines the key provisions of a Multilateral Fisheries Pa rtnership Cartwright • Agreement between the Pacific ACP region and the EU.

11 . EPA Services Study by Robert The stu dy outlines a negotiating strategy for the Services negotiations under the Scollay • framework of the EPA negotiations with the EU.

12. EPA Negotiating Strategy by This study outlin es the economi c rea lities of the region, and suggests a range Professor TEAG through Robert • of options available for pursuing the EPA negotiations w ith the EU based on Scollay outcomes of the EPA st udies and national consultations. Pacifi c Islands Forum Secretariat 2 00 3/ 2004 Annu a l R e p o rt

COUNTRY AND BENEFITS FROM PETROLEUM ADVISORY SERVICE

All Forum Island Countries - Collection, analysis Tuvalu - Petroleum pricing and Dangerous Goods and dissemination of petroleum market regional workshop planned and deferred. pricing, demand and other relevant petroleum data; Vanuatu - Proposed initiative to convert Port Vila and Re gular publication of Pacific FuelPrice Monitor; Espiritu Sa nto into MRX ports and significa ntl y A paper presented to the Pacific Power Association reducing fuel costs awa iting government action. on the potential for regional cooperation on fuel Advi sed on the need to introduce either price purchasing. regulation or pri ce monitoring sys tem to ensure fair fuel pri ces for retail, government and uti lities. Cook Islands - Advised on preparati on and eva luati on of TAU (utility) fuel te nder O ngoing advice on regulated PAS Strategic Overview: fuel price iss ues. Th e current level of hands-on pricing veri fication and Federated States of Micrones ia - Periodi c verification of ass istance to member countri es w ill be maintained for regional fu el cost. the upcoming year 2004-2 005. There w ill be an added focus on building ca pacity w ithin the countries to Fiji - Periodi c advice to PIB on fuel price regulation issues. champion th ese iss ues in-house. Thi s is in keeping w ith the Second tr i-annual review of Fiji Islands fuel industry overarching regional strategic imperatives that are outlined completed. FEA fu el exc ise advice and evaluation of in the Pacific Islands En ergy Policy and plan (PIEPP). fu el tenders. Th ese are primaril y to: Kiribati - In-country petroleu m workshop in August 2003 Following up on previous ex tensive work on contrac t Fac ilitate in creased competitive petroleum supply re-negotiation w ith monopoly supplier Mobil Oil and models i. e. independent ownership of fuel terminals independent inspection and va luation of Tara wa fuel where there is a so und, tangible gain for a country; terminal. En courage suppliers to maintai n th e qual ity of Republic of the Marshall Islands - Periodic regional fuel petroleum products in line w ith relevant standard s cost advice to Marshall Energy Corporati on. and to introduce cleaner and better quality petroleum products as th ey become ava ilabl e; Nauru - Proposed development of Na uru Central Pa cific fuel entrepot is awa iting res po nse from N auru Other Assistance Schemes government. Pri va te sec tor represe ntatives in the Forum Island Niue - International tender for fu el supply contract Countries al so benefited from a ran ge of ass istance deferred pending rebuilding of Niue bulk fuel terminal schemes administered by the Secretariat. These included following Cyclone Heta . th e M arketing Support Fund, Industri al Development Palau - Advi sed on preparation of fuel tender for Palau Training Programme and related support from the Canada­ Publi c Utilities Corporation. So uth Pacific Ocean Development Programm e. Papua New Guinea - Advised government that oil Assess alternative fuels and promote fu el su bstitution industry cl aims in excess of 100 million Kina were to reduce petroleum product imports in conjunction dubious. Identified se rious systematic problems w ith with SOPAC renewable energy and bi o- fu el projects; fuel pricing policy proposed for implementation Co-operate regionally to coll ect and di ss eminate pos t- refinery production in mid 2004. info rmation on fu el demand, regional fu el prices, and Solomon Islan ds - Annual review of Fuel and LPG Pr icing related iss ues. Templates . Development of plans for national fuel Pr o mo te th e collec tion, transpo rtat io n, and terminal pending. environmentall y res ponsible re-use, di sposa l, or Tonga - Annua l Review of Fuel and LPG Pri cing Templates. remova l of waste oil and other petroleum by-products Bi- monthly verifica ti on of Fu el and LP G price to minimise adverse impacts on soil, ground water, and revi ew submiss ions. MRX fuel deliveri es directly into near shore fi sheri es; Tanga tapu identified as priority project. Advised on Promote equitable ava ilability of petroleum products Bird song petro leum exploration proposa l. Advised on in rural and re mote islands. fuel refinery proposa l. Pac ific Islands Foru m Secreta ri at 2003/2004 An nual Report I Political & International Affairs

Pa cific Islands Forum Leaders at the signing of a regional agreement to assist the Solomon Islands, in August 2003 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Good governa nce, the rule of law and a secure environment Forum Regional Security Committee fo r the people of th e Pa cific are essential to sustainable Th e June 2004 meeting of th e Forum Regiona l Security development in the region. Th e Politica l, Intern ational and Committee di sc ussed the major secu rity vuln erabiliti es Lega l Affa irs Division has a broad range of activities to enhance fac ing th e region and how Forum member countries could the enabling environment for sustainable development. Th ey improve thei r efforts to combat tran sna ti onal organised incl ude policy advice and technical assistance to members crime, by stronger and deeper regional cooperation. Some on govern ance, in ternationa l re lations, law enfo rcement of the initiatives include th e establishment of the Pa cific cooperation, politica l, lega l and security iss ues, and advocacy Transna tional Cri me Coordination Centre (PTCCC) by th e of Forum positions in intern ational fora. Australi an Federal Police, progress of th e Pa cifi c Regional Security - Law Enforcement Policing Initiative, (a n AusAID-NZAID project), a draft Pacific Islands Regiona l Security Techn ica l Coopera tion Strategy, The Secretariat provides su pport in lega l and law enforcement developed in conjuction with the Asia Pacific Croup On matters, particu larl y the enactment and implementation of Money Laundering Secreta riat (APC) the estab lishment of a the legislative priorities of the Honiara Dec laration on Law pilot Pa cific Region Identi ty Protection Project, th e outcomes Enforcement Cooperation and the Nasonini Declaration of the New Zea land hosted Pacific Roundtable on Counter­ on Regional Security. Th ese have ass umed even greater Terrorism, the new international maritime security obligations prominence given th e need fo r Forum mem bers to and the on goi ng Pacific Financial Unit Project involving th e comply w ith international requi rements, including th e APC, IMF Lega l Department and the Secretariat. pertinent UNSCR resolutions and conventions and the UN Convention Aga inst Transn ational Organi zed Crim e. Th e Agency Cooperation focus ha s been on the development of regional legislative The region's speciali st law enforcement age ncies, the provisions, cooperation, training, exchange of in form ation Pacific Immigration Directors Confe rence, the Oceania and compliance. Customs Orga nisation and the South Pacific ~ hi efs of Poli ce

\ I

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat 2003/2004 A nnu a l Report

Conference, advised th e Committee on the current and Countries. The last three studies - fo r the Federated States of emerging threats of tran snational organ ised crime impa ct ing Micrones ia, Palau an d Republic of the Marshall Islands- were on the region including illicit drugs, electroni c crim e, fraud, completed this yea r. The studies this yea r were conducted by people smuggling/trafficking, illega l trade in flora and fauna, the Pacific Institute of Adva nced Studies in Developmen t and sex crimes, small arms, terrori sm and corrupti on, and th e Governance and invo lved consul tations w ith the respective regional response to those threat s. Governments and key stakeholders. Implementation of the In combating these challenges, the exist ing model recommendati ons from the sec urity stu di es are a matter for leg islation, including those addressing terrori sm and the national governments, although the Secretariat w ill be transnationa l orga ni sed crime (extradition, mutual lega l assessing th e security studies to identify iss ues on which a assista nce in criminal matters, forfeiture of the proceeds o( regional response would be appropriate. crime, anti-money launderin g, and combating the financing Fo llow-up nati ona l security workshops were held in Port of terror ism), illici t drugs, weapons control and tran sport Vila, Vanuatu and Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, in 2004, security, should be enacted. Importantly, appropriate an d in Honiara, Solomon Island s, in 2003, for represe ntatives supporting measures to ensure implementation of the model from government and civil society. The aim was to bui ld legislation must be made ava il ab le throughout the region. more publ ic awareness of th e ca uses and consequences of In-country drafting assistance is ava ilable and is coordinated instability, as well as strategies for address ing the ca uses of through the Forum Secretariat. conflicts. The continuing close cooperati on between the Sec reta riat, the region's specialist agencies, reg ional law enforcement Security - Regional and agencies and Intern ationa l partn ers, is a very positive International Issues development, and this partnership ha s been applied to a range of issues. Climate Change Track II Climate change remains a key focus fo r th e Secretariat, w ith in creas ing emphas is on adaptation mechanisms an d As part of a wider engagement w ith stakeholders, the 2004 strategies. Th e adverse impacts of climate change threa ten FRsC included a sem inar on governance by guest speakers. the long-term viability of a number of the most vulnerabl e Thi s initial effort towards developing a Track II process smaller island states, although no country is immune from recogni zes th e knowledge, ex pertise, policy views and th e effects of largely man-made changes to th e world's grassroots contacts that many groups beyond the security climate. Th e Secretariat advocates Forum posi ti ons on committee possess. Th e Track II approach is bei ng extended cl imate change at key international fora, as well as through to oth er areas of th e Secretari at's Work programme, whereby its on-going dialogue with development partners and other commentators engaged in academi a, resea rch, policy stakeholders. This includes working with th e South Pac ific making, politics and the private sector are regularl y brought Regional En vironment Program me on th e climate change together to discuss iss ues that are fundamental to the Pacific framework. region. Shipments Biketawa Declaration A further meeting was held in 2004 between Forum members In the area of regional security, the 2002 Biketawa Declaration and th e shipping states - France, Japan and th e United guided the Secretariat '5 work in this area. Th e main acti vity Kingdom ~ on the iss ue of shipments of radioactive materials under th e Biketawa Declaration was the Regional Assistance through the region, in particular, di sc uss ions on a liability and M iss ion to the Solomon Islands (RAM sl), endorsed by Leaders compensation regime in relation to those shipments. la st August follow ing an invitation by the Gove rnment of the Solomon Islands to assist w ith a return to normalcy. Th e French Polynesia Biketa wa, and RAMSI , marked a clear shift in the Forum The Secretaria t continu ed to monitor regiona l issues of approach to conflict reso lution w ithin the reg ion, and RAMsl concern to its mem bers, including developments in New was notable as a cooperative effort'by Fo rum members to Ca ledonia, French Pol ynes ia and Pa pu a. Preparati ons were help one of its neighbours. begun for a Pacific Islands Fo rum fa ct-finding miss ion to Security Studies Fren ch Polynesia, after French Pres ident Jacqu es Chirac signed more se lf-governing powers in March 2004 for the As part of the implementation of the Biketawa Declaration, territory to operate as an overseas country within the French in 2001 the Pa cific Islands Forum Secreta riat began Republic. These include more authority in areas such as commiss ioning national security studi es for the Forum Island Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat 2003/2004 Annua l Report

Delegation from the People's Republic of China at the 2003 Post Forum Dialogue in Auckland, New Zealand.

labour, civi l av iation and regional relations, while France United Kin gdom and the United Sta tes. In add ition to the retains control in areas such as la w and order, defence and suggestion by the EPG for improving the PFD process, the money supply. Secretariat will continue to propose further adjustments to At their Special Leader's Retreat in Auckland, New Zea land make the Dialogue more manageable, efficient and useful. in April this year, Forum Leaders encouraged closer contacts Diplomatic Training w ith non-sovereign Pacific territories, through progressively Japan funded a Diplomatic Training workshop for participants granting them observer status at Leaders' meetings and from Forum Island Countries last October in Tokyo, Japan. This associated meetings of th e Forum Officials' Committee. Th e is part of on-going activities in the Secreta riat to help bui ld Leaders also asked that new criteri a for parti cipation should ca pa city in the areas of diplomatic skills and represe ntation. be developed, grounded ih the region's interests. The exercise also improved the interaction with Japan on The Forum currently has two Observers - the French the development of its foreign policy in th e region, given territory of New Ca ledon ia was admitted as an Observer in Japan's presence as a major development partner. A similar 1999 while the independent state oflimor-Leste was adm itted diplomatic training workshop is proposed later this yea r in as a Specia l Observer in 2002. Beijing under funding by the Government of the People's Dialogue Partners Republic of Chi na. The Post Forum Dialogue process is an important avenue Governance for engaging with development partners and is the main vehicle for multi lateral consultation with the region. There Pacific Governance are currently twelve Forum Dialogue Partners - Canada, In line with increasing comm itment towards promoting People's Republic of China, European Union, France, India, good govern ance, Fo rum Leaders las t year adopted nine Indones ia, Japan, Republ ic of Korea, Malaysia, Phil ippines, key principles of good leadership. The principles include respect for th e law and system of government; respect for cultural va lu es, customs and traditions; freedom of religion; respect for people on whose behalf leaders exercise power; respect for members of the public; economy, efficiency and diligence; nationa l peace and sec urity, and respect for office. These complement other efforts such as the Forum Econom ic Principles of Accountabi lity and the Biketawa Declaration on guiding principles and measures in response to a cris is in the region. In promoting good governance, the Forum is mindful that Pacific governance needs to take accollnt of both traditional and modern concepts of governan ce, if it is to be releva nt to the people of the Pacific. An underlying principle - in both traditional and modern systems - is that th ose who govern , New Caledonia's Minister for Economic Affairs, Hon Alain Lazare, and those who are governed, should feel th at they are equal discussed Pacific regional issues during a visit to the Forum participants in the decision making process. Secretarial in October 2003. Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat 2003/2004 Annual Report

Leadership Code Efforts of FI Cs to implement the Forum Principles of Good Leadership have seen Tuvalu and Kiribati commit to the development of their national leadership code by using the Regional Model Leadershi p Code. A leadership code work­ shop for Tuvalu, involving representatives from the Attorney Genera l's office and civi l soc iety organisations, was held in April. A similar workshop was scheduled for Jul y in Kiribati. Both countries are due to introduce their respective leader­ ship code Bil ls into Parliament before the end of the year. While Forum Leaders have adopted the Leadershi p Prin­ stakeholders such as Forum members, development partners, ciples, it is also intended that these principles could also the media and the public. The Secretariat also promotes the be adopted by other sectors, including the media, private views and activities of the Pa cific Islands Forum through sector and community groups. Accountabil ity and transpa r­ print and broadcast med ia, the Secretariat's website, media ency are qualities that shou ld invo lve the entire comm unity, briefings, public addresses and a variety of promotiona l rather tha n be something that is left to Leaders to exercise on their own. materials. A media delegation from Forum Isla nd Countries visited Beijing and Shanghai in September 2003, fo llowing Forum Presiding Officers Conference an invitation from th e Government of the People's Republ ic of Th e 4'" FPOC was successfu lly held in Funafuti, Tuvalu, China. Foru m Media Workshops were aga in organized under this year. The conference approved two major projects to New Zea land and Australian funding, to coincide with the enhance the capaci ty of Forum legis latures; i.e. securing ef­ 2004 Forum Economic Ministers Meeting in June Rotorua, fective relationship between the legislature and the media, New Zea land and the Pac ific Islands Fo ru m in August in and development of post-graduate course on parliamentary Apia, Sa moa. The workshops are aimed at encouraging more democracy studies to be offered by the Un iversity of th e South informed public discuss ion of Forum and regional issues that Pacific and the University of Papua New Guinea. Sa moa will affect the people of the Pacific. host the 5'" Forum Presiding Officers and Clerks Conference Depositary in April 2005. The Secretariat acts as depositary for several regional agree­ Communications ments such as the Convention for the Protection of th e Natural Forum Leaders have asked for an improvement in th e way Resources and Environment of the South Pacific Region and the Forum commun icates with the wider wo rl d, and more related Protocols, the Wa igan i Convention, the Rarotonga resources are being directed towards this effort through a Treaty, SPARTECA, the Pacific Agreement on Closer Econom ic revi sed Comm uni cations Strategy. Th is extends to a broader Re lations (PACER) and the Pacific Island Countries Trade public diplomacy effort and a range of activities involving Agreement (PICTA).

Members of the Forum Regional Security Committee, June 2004 in Nadi, Fiji Pacifi c Island s Forum Secretariat 2003/2004 Annual Report

Corporate Services

The Corporate Services Division (CS D) continues to provide ideas and ways of doing busi ness to the Secretariat is key the support, service and infrastru cture necessary for the Fo­ to developing best pra ctice - training is on e way of achiev­ rum Secretariat to pursu e its goals, whil e at the same time, ing thi s goal - other initiatives include br inging in training improve on what we do and how we do it. Although often attachments (which also benefits young graduates seeking co nstrained by time and resources, we are co mmitted to de­ work experience) for the IT, Library and Finan ce Team s, and a veloping a hea lthy work environment that stimu lates produc­ four day secondment of our Regi stry staff to the Fiji National tivity, strengthens co mmuni ca tion and supports team-work. Archives. A review of our performance management system, 1 Th e Forum Review was, perha ps, the most Sig nifi ca nt event in consultation with staff and mana gers, iden tified fu rther of the year, in th at it impacted in many ways on th e Forum refinements to the syste m and more exte nsive guidelin es. Th e Secretariat. The Review process provided opportuniti es for introduction of the revised system was supported by short both managemen t and staff to contribute, and the outcomes cou rse workshops to bu ild understanding. A 360-degree feed­ of the Leaders' Retreat in April, opened th e door for th e start back process was in troduced for sen ior mana gement, whi ch of the process to develop a new Corporate Plan. includes not on ly peer review but se lf-reflection as well. The Staff Retrea t, the first in severa l yea rs, was an extremely Th e 2003 triennial remuneration reviews for both the positive experi ence for all w ho participated. Outco mes profess iona l staff and th e support staff, lead to the recon­ included the developmen t of a new miss ion statemen t, and vening of the CROP Working Group on Harmonisation of clear articulation of the values of the Forum Secretariat. Remuneration. Th e work of this group will be presented to Our efforts to develop an open, consultative culture are the Forum Officials Committee for approva l, and w ill pave reaping dividends, as demonstrated by the energy and pas­ the way for improved rem uneration practices. sion with which staff have contributed over the year. An With a view to better utilising and maintaining the build­ Internal Customer Focus Workshop generated a large amount ings, and to crea ting an environment more co nducive to of feedback for our considerati on and resulted in a keener tea m-work, a number of initiatives have been com pl eted - the understa nding of the issu es facing staff, which we have been Finance Tea m's office space was refurbi shed; the printer room tryi ng to address. Three key outputs from th e Workshop was decommissioned to accommodate the Property Serv ices were the in stiga tion of two project teams - one to address team; and the Registry was re located to the Library. internal co mmuni cation iss ues, and one to address training Th e surplus space in the basement is being tra nsformed needs ac ross the orga ni sa ti on - and a two-day seni or man­ to make way for a new IT office, trainin g room, workshop agement team-effectiveness workshop. Training co ntinues and server room; and the surplus space in th e old Registry to be a priority. During the yea r, semin ars raising awareness office w ill be converted to office space which is currently in of HIVIAIDS, sex ual harass ment, and occupational safety sca rce supply. During the yea r, a new back up system for our and heath were undertaken, so me of whi ch were presented IT system was pu rchased and commiss ioned, proViding us in th e Fijian language. Further training included a one day with secu ri ty and safety of our electronic files. A new library course on time management; two 2-day project management se rver was in stalled providing access to the library catalogue workshops (funded by Austra lia); and short courses on per­ to all staff, from their desktops. Our IT infrastructure continues formance management and "giving and receivi ng feedback". to be a co ncern du e to co nstraints in fundi ng - a key pri ority This in-house training was suppo rted with ex ternal training for the ensuing yea r wi ll be to obtain funding to provide a such as th e South Pacific Touri sm Organisation-sponsored better IT service. Initiati ves in Finance were hindered by th e workshop on web development wh ich was anended by two of res ignation of our Accountant and th e diffi cul ties we had in our IT staff. With respect to developing best recruiting a sui tab le repla cement from the practice policy, sys tems and procedures, a local market. However, further revisions number of policies and procedures are be­ to the monthly finance reports have been ing reviewed and updated. These are now made, and developmen ts are in progress being publ ished electronica lly, reducing with respect to our wo rk-program formats. our paper flows, and ensuring access by Outstandi ng membership contributions all staff. Lack of resources is a significant continue to be a co ncern for our on-going constraint to more urgent developm ent of financia l viability. ou r best practi ce system. IntrodUCing new Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat 2003/2004 A n nua l Report Financial Summary 1 January - 21 December 2004 General Fund Income and Expenditure Statement For the Year Ended 31 December 2003 2003 2003 2002 budget $ aClual $ actual $ Income Contributions from Member Governments 3,472,000 3,471,977 3,471,977 Interest 25 0,000 222,969 211 ,448 Foreign Exchange Gai n 264,402 44,710 Other In come 149,600 205,436 344,291 3,871,000 4,164,784 4,072,426

Expenditure Executive 1,001,000 879,741 880,377 Politi ca l, In ternati onal and Legal Affa irs 475,000 387,404 535,220 Development and Economi c Po li cy 202,000 212,398 304,344 Trade and Investment 343,000 384,161 399,512 Corporate Services 2,051,000 1,705,702 1,501 ,761 Depreciation 324,048 348,344 Bad/doubtful Debts 165,067 3,886 Foreign Exchange Loss 268,946 Loss on Sa Ie of Assets 3,665 4,072,000 4,062,186 4,242,390

Surplus/(deficit) of Income over Expenditure (201,000) 102,598 (169,964)

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Trust Fund Income and Expenditure Statement For the Year Ended 31 December 2003 ...... ,· .. 11 2003 2003 2002 budget $ actual $ actual $ ~l~i~ J ~ Income 1'Ir, an.. Contributions from Donors 13,011 ,000 10,767,41 5 8,513,081 Benefits Derived from Property, Pl ant and Equipment 268,869 459,421 ~&~~ 13,011,000 11,036,284 8,972,502 """;.!~ ... , ~ . Expenditure Po liti cal, Intern ational and Lega l Affa irs 3,843,000 2,051,516 1,881,982 ~1 Development and Economic Po li cy 3,865,000 4,403,165 3,467,445 MN':\ ,U Trade and Investment 5,303,000 3,176,679 2,363,976 Corporate Services 57,806 Standin g Funds 40,015 583,810 fI' JWJ ' W Depreciation 268,869 459,421 13,011,000 9,998,050 8,756,634 ~-.- Su rplus of.lncome over Expenditure 1,038,234 215,868 ~ ~ Pacific Island s Forum Secretariat 200 3/ 2004 A n nua l R e p o rt

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat

Balance Sheet ...t.\\" As at 31 December 2003 2003 $ 2002 $ ~'11, Current Assets --, Cash at Bank 10,852,290 7,071 ,547 i~~ Consumable Stock 8,807 13,796 Q"~ Debtors - Member Countries 604,594 715,279 iI',''d.~·' ' Su nd ry Debtors & Prepayments 280,965 165,759 11,746,656 7,966,381 ~~~ Non-current Assets Y~1'!)a Propert y, Pl ant and Equipment 8,736,640 9, 105,991 ~J Total Assets 20,483,296 17,072,372 _""'rM'.fnti'~ Cun'cnt Liabilities Trade Creditors, Commitments and Accru als 1,22 3,986 1 ,423,601 ....~ra Other Current Li abil ities 86,166 62, 177 Contri butions Received in Advance - General Fun d 1,290,126 1,290,126 Contributions Received in Adva nce - Tru st Fu nd 3,519,385 904,2 62 Total Current liabilities 6,119,663 3,680,166 Net Assets 14,363,633 13,392,206 Accumulated and Reserve Funds General Fund 1,2 42, 63 7 1,2 42, 875 Trust Fun d 5175,718 4,034,648 Reserve Fund 241,336 23 6,604 Ca pital Reserve 7,703,942 7,878,079 Total Accumulated and Reserve Funds 14,363,633 13,392,206 Commitments and Contingent liabilities

Forum Member Contributions - Regular Budget BAND COUNTRY % FJD Austral ia 37.16 1,290,126 New Zealand 37.16 1,290,126 2 Papua New Gu in ea 5.49 190, 468 3 Fi ji 2.24 77,755 4 Federated States of Micronesia 1.98 68,859 4 Palau 1.98 68,859 4 Sa moa 1.98 68,859 4 Solomon Isla nds 1.98 68,859 4 Tonga 1.98 68,859 4 Vanuatu 1.98 68,859 5 Cook Islands 1.01 35,058 5 Kiribati 1.01 35,058 5 Na uru 1.01 35,058 5 Niue 1.01 35,058 5 Republic of Marshall Islands 1.01 35,058 5 Tuvalu 1.01 35,058 Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat 2003/200 4 Annual Report

Pacific Islands Forum ~ecretariat Staff List (as at June 2004) EXECUTIVE DIVISION Greg Urwin Secretary General Australia losefa Maiava Deputy Secretary General Samoa StevenVete Executive Liaison Officer Tonga lona Mitchell Secretary to SG Fiji Edweena Sautu Personal Assistant to DSG Fiji Jioji Boila Driver/Messenger Fiji DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC POLICY DIVISION Constantyn (Stan) Vandersyp Director New Zealand John Low Resources Adviser Australia Emma Ferguson Economic Adviser New Zealand Patri cia Sachs-Cornish Development Cooperation Adviser Fiji Dr Helen Tavola Social Policy Adviser Fiji Toakase Ratu Programme Implementation Officer Fiji Alisi Tuga Research Assista nt (Infrastructure) Fiji Johnson Nav;ti Programme Development O ffi cer Vanuatu Vi liame Ca niogo Fisca l Reform Officer Fiji Lai siasa Tora Economic Planning Officer Fiji Dr Kenneth Mackay Field Program Coordinator Ca nada Malcolm Ponton Senior Technica l Adviser Scotland George Beck Technical Assistant Solomon Islands Margaret Wong Divisional Assistant (Secretarial) Fiji Taivei Kwan Divisional Assistant (EC) Fiji Al umita Masi tabua Divisional Assistant (EC) Fiji Edith Arthi Madhavan IT Assistant (EC) Fiji POLITICAL AND INTER NATIONAL AFFAI RS DIVISION Andie Fang Toy Director New Zealand Ulafala Aiavao Media Adviser Samoa Adam Delaney International Issues Adviser Papua New Guinea Bernard Bata 'a nisia Political Issues Adviser So lomon Islands Shaun Evans law Enforcement Adviser New Zea land Bruce Russell Anti-Money laundering Consultant New Zealand Terry Allen law EnforcementTraining Co-Ordination Officer Australia Mose Saitala legislative Governance Adviser Tuva lu Dr Transform Agorau l egal Adviser Solomon Islands Beth-Ann Peterson Divisional Assistant (Secretarial) Fiji Grace TIga rea Divisional Assistant! (Administration) Fij i TRADE & INVESTMENT DIVISION Jaindra Kumar Director Fiji Alan Bartmanovich Petroleum Adviser Australia Mere Falemaka Trade Pol icy Adviser Fij i Henry Sa nday Investment Poli cy Officer Fiji Dr Asif Chida Priva te Sector Advisor India Dr Jim Gosselin Multilateral Trade Policy Adviser Cook Islands Theodore Yasause Trade Pol icy Adviser Papua New Guinea Jared Morris Import Management Adviser Fiji Sumbue Antas Trade Facilitation Officer ni-Va nuatu Joshua Mael Private Sector O ffi cer ni-Va nuatu Ga il Olsson Resea rch Assista nt (Trade Poli cy) Fiji GlyniS Miller Trade Commission Liaison Officer Fiji Alise Faulalo-Stu nnenberg M arketing Officer Samoa N ileshwan Prasad Research Assistant - Petroleum Fiji Adi Tikomaimaleya Divisional Ass istant (Secretarial) Fiji lillian Mitchell Divisional Assistant (Administration) Fiji Alesi Toroca Divisional Assistant (Temp.) Fiji Pac ifi c Islands Forum Secretariat 2003 /200 4 Annual Rep o rt

PAC IFI C ISLANDS TRADE & INVESTMENT COMMISSION Pacific Islands Trade& Investment Commission, Auckland, New Zealand Vaca nt Trade Commiss ioner Loui sa Sifakula Marketing Officer New Zea land Jennifer Find lay Marketing Officer New Zea land Sara h W ilson Ass istant Marketing Officer New Zea land Anne Murphy Secretary/Administrative Ass istant New Zea land Pacific Islands Trade & In ves tment Commission, Sydney, Australia Aivu Tau vasa Trade Commissioner Papua New Guinea Sa lly Gibson Public Affairs & Information Prog ram Australia Cart Pemberton Pa cific Investment Program Australia Robyn Ekstrom Business Exporl Australia Program Australia Ruth Chou la i Office Administrator/Secretary Austra lia Pacific'lsland Center, Tokyo. Japan Ak ira O uchi Director lapan Haruki Naito Deputy Director Japa n Ryoichi Miyazak i Sen ior Resea rcher Japa n Eiko Otsuka Sec retary Japan Pacific Islands Forum Trade Office Roha n Ellis Trade Representative Cook Island s Gang Yang Marketing Officer China Pi ng Yuang (M s) M arketing Officer China Doris Li (Ms) Office Manager China Adriane Cla rke Administration Officer Cook Islands Zheng Boying Ma i ntena nee/Clea ner China COR PORATE SERVICES DIVISION Executive Stephani e Jones Director New Zeala nd Rave Tua'toko Divisional Assistant (Secreta ria l) Fiji Finance Services Stephen Keevi l M anager, Finan ce/IT Servi ces Austra lia Ma ima Koro Donor Cooperat ion Coordinator Samoalrokelau Lucia Kafoa Accountant Fiji Sa ngeeta La l Finance Clerk Fi ji Navin Singh Finance Clerk Fiji Davendra Kumar Finance Clerk Fiji Aniini Ram Temp. Finan ce Clerk Fiji Tiku Touakin Temp. Finan ce Clerk Fiji Office Services Lusi Tuiva nuavou Personnel Services Officer Fij i Mat Fong Pay Clerk Fiji Divis ional Assi stant (Administ ration) Fiji

Con ference & Protocol Officer Fiji Vas ili Saq usaqu Divisional Ass istant/C PA Fij i Pr0R.erty M~a~no~a~KCa~i y~a~n-u-ya~n~u------nP~r o~p~e~rt~y'S-e-r v-i-c-es~O~ffFic~e~r------F~i~i i------Eferemo Elder Maintenance Ass istance Fi ji luke Ratumaina ceva Maintenance Assistance Fi ji losefo Vulaca Maintenance Assistance Fiji Ch in Sa mi Maintenance Assistance Fiji Pailato Ratuga lovi Driver/Messenger Fiji Laisa Lutu Clea nerfTea Lady Fiji Lusi You ng CleanerfTea Lady Fij i Information Services Tale Maimanuku Computer Servi ces Officer Fiji Shelesh Madhava n Computer Services Assistant Fiji Sem iti Ravatu Library Services Officer Fiji Su nnylee Campbell Temp. Library Ass istant Fiji Ateca Tora Records Management Assi stant Fiji Nan ise Taufa Receptionist/Office Assistant Fiji Antonio Naiva lu Temp. IT Attache Fiji Angeline Goundar Temp. IT Atta che Fiji Pacific Islands Forum Secretar iat 2003/2004 A nnual Report I......

All correspondence to: Secretary General, Pac ific Islands Forum Secretariat, Private Bag, Suva, Fiji Delivery Address: Pac ific Islands Forum Secretari at, Ratu Sukuna Rd, Suva, Fi ji Tel: +679 33 12 600 • Fax: +679 3301 102 Emai l: [email protected] • Web: www.forumsec.org.fj

Photos by the Forum Secretariat except for NZMFAT as listed.

[SSN, [812-1179 (Print) ISSN 1812-1187 (Online)