Third Pacific Islands Sports Ministers Meeting Communiqué

Ministers, Advisors and Sports Administrators of 13 out of the 22 Pacific Island nations and territories, met in Mata-Utu, on 1 September 2013 under the theme “Governments and Sport – Working Together for the Pacific Islands People”. Presentations were made by: The Hon. Jean-Claude BRIAULT, Minister for Sport, New Caledonia, The Hon. Labi AMAIU, Vice Minister for Sport, , The Hon. Commander Viliame NAUPOTO, The Minister for Sport, , Ms Heidi BOOTLE, Australian Consulate-General in Noumea, and Mr Dennis MILLER, Executive Director of the National Olympic Committees. As a result of these presentations, Ministers and Sports Administrators reached the following conclusions:

1. Ministers acknowledged with thanks and deep appreciation the role of the host country of Wallis and Futuna and the COWF2013 Organising Committee for all of their work and preparation for the staging of the 9th Pacific Mini Games.

2. The meeting pays special tribute to the Governments of France and New Caledonia in their financial and technical support for Wallis and Futuna’s delivery of the 2013 Pacific Mini Games, and for their support for sport in the region.

3. Ministers re-dedicated themselves and their governments to promote Pacific Values in Sport – commitment, discipline, integrity, fair play, respect of cultural and ethnic differences, gender equality, fair play, and to fight against doping.

4. Ministers agreed to lift the profile of sports in their countries - to provide funding and resources to encourage the youth of the Pacific into sports participation and ultimately into the so that they may be exposed to these Pacific Values in Sport.

5. Ministers agreed to use Sport and the promotion of physical activity including in schools as a positive vehicle, particularly amongst the Youth, to combat non-communicable diseases and other social problems prevalent in Pacific communities today.

6. Ministers agreed to respect the autonomy and independence of sport, including national sporting organizations, but urged all sports leaders and organisations to strengthen the fight against doping and to promote and practice good governance.

7. Ministers agreed to note the Pacific Games Council’s endeavours to ensure the Pacific Games is recognised internationally as the premier multi-sports event in Oceania.

8. Ministers agreed to note the Pacific Games Council’s exploration with its stakeholders the integration of Australian and athletes into the Pacific Games, especially in sports where Pacific Island nations and territories perform strongly. The Ministers agreed to formally receive a copy of the report for their information.

9. Ministers agreed to examine their respective Governments’ potential support for hosting a Pacific Youth Games in place of the Pacific Mini Games, and agreed to deliberate with their Pacific Games Associations and convey the outcomes to the Pacific Games Council. The meeting also agreed to proceed with caution and examine the possibility of selecting a certain percentage of young athletes in their Pacific Mini Games delegations.

10. The meeting commends the role of the Australian Government in developing Pacific communities through sport via its Australian Sports Outreach Program and the Pacific Sports Partnerships program for the quadrennial 2013-2017, building upon programs of support that have been continuous since 2006. 11. The meeting congratulates the IOC for its Solidarity programs delivered through Lausanne and through the Oceania National Olympic Committees to assist the development of Pacific Island athletes.

12. Ministers agreed to expand their support for the development of athletes in Pacific Games teams by appropriating the necessary funds to sport development and national representation of elite athletes.

13. The Meeting congratulates the work of Oceania RADO and the AFLD (French Anti-Doping Agency) for its in-competition testing programs undertaken at 2013 Pacific Mini Games in conjunction with the Governments of Wallis and Futuna, New Caledonia, and also France.

14. The Meeting applauded the role the New Caledonia Government has played in creating positive legacies from hosting the in terms of new and improved facilities, and the development of not only future athletes, but enhanced skills for the broader population. These legacies are capable of being emulated by other Pacific Island nations and territories.

15. The meeting noted with approval the substantial investment being made by the Government of Papua New Guinea in preparation for hosting the in what Ministers confidently expect will be a long term financially sustainable manner for the benefit of future generations of Papua New Guineans.

16. The meeting noted with approval Papua New Guinea’s suggestion that this forum was an appropriate place to consider developing policy around future Host City Contracts with the Pacific Games Council, including the role and responsibilities of a host government.

17. The meeting noted with approval the role of the Government of Fiji to promote sports in their country through the Fiji Sports Commission and encouraged Ministers from the other participating countries to follow the same example in the future.

18. The meeting noted with approval presentations from the Ministers of American , , , , , , , and the representative of the Minister for Sport of France.

19. Ministers agreed to convey the outcomes of the Sports Ministers’ Meeting to their respective Heads of Government to ensure that these outcomes can be included on the future agenda of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ meetings. It was further agreed to forward this communiqué to Forum leaders through the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

20. Ministers agreed to re-convene at the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby.

Mata-Utu, Wallis Island Wallis and Futuna 1 September, 2013