Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and his Fiji counterpart, Prime Minister rank Bainimarama were yesterday briefed on the programme for the 4th summit of the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) which is set to begin in Honiara today.
The 4th summit to be convened under the theme of ‘Stewardship for Health Oceans and Healthy Nations’ is the first to be held outside of Fiji since the introduction of this annual convention in 2013.
This year’s summit brings together Government Ministers and Officials from the PIDF member states including one President, President Peter Christian from the Federated States of Micronesia, two Prime Ministers, the host Prime Minister, Hon Manasseh Sogavare and Prime Minister Hon Bainimarama of Fiji as well as guests and observers from non PIDF member states and non-government institutions from across the globe.
The incoming PIDF Chair, Prime Minister Sogavare and the outgoing chair, Prime Minister Bainimarama were briefed by the Director-General of the PIDF Francois Martel, PIDF Deputy Director-General Peni Lomaloma, Chair of the PIDF Senior Officials committee and Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Fiji His Excellency Patteson Oti and Chair of the 4th PIDF Summit National Taskforce of Solomon Islands, Mr Rence Sore.
Also representing the Fiji Government at the briefing was the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.
Also present was the Director-General of the Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat Amena Yauvoli of Fiji.
According to the programme, discussions during the summit will cover the report of the Director-General about the operations and activities of the PIDF, Draft Strategic Plan of the PIDF from 2017 to 2020, PIDF’s Roadmap for Climate Change: Post Paris Implementation, A Pacific Climate Treaty proposal and Resolutions for the Observance of the Pacific Year for the Ocean 2017.
The PIDF was created out of the desire to bring about transformative changes in member countries by focusing on the sustainable and inclusive development in the Pacific region and serves as a dynamic regional partnership platform that recognizes, celebrates, promotes and preserves the diversity of Pacific cultures, history and challenges faced from climate change, globalization and development.
The PIDF provides an inclusive regional multi-stakeholder forum to enable collaboration between leaders and representatives of Pacific governments, civil society and private sector to take ownership of their decisions and actions to address their special development needs.
It secures the support of development partners through formal agreements for technical assistance and financial resources to achieve sustainable development and poverty eradication outcomes.
The summit to be held at the Heritage Park Hotel will commence with a grand opening ceremony at the Lawson Tama Stadium.
– PM Press Secretariat
