05th September, 2017 More than 20 journalists from around the Pacific participated in a workshop in Apia to prepare for the 48th Pacific Islands Forum.
The two-day workshop (September 2nd -3rd) aimed to enhance participants’ knowledge on regional issues and what will be discussed by Pacific leaders during the forum.
Samoa’s Prime Minister Hon Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi opened the workshop and spoke on the theme of the forum and related meetings, “The Blue Pacific: Our Sea of Islands Provide For Our Secure Future through Sustainable Development, Management and Conservation”.
“The Blue Pacific will strengthen the existing policy frameworks that harness the ocean as a driver of a transformative socio-cultural, political and economic development of the Pacific. This approach also gives renewed impetus to deepening Pacific regionalism.”
According to him, The Blue Pacific provides a new narrative for regionalism in the Pacific and how the forum engages with the global community.
“This new narrative calls for inspired leadership by the forum and a long-term commitment to the benefits of acting together as one Blue Continent. Blue Pacific economy, ensures a sustainable, secure, resilient and peaceful Blue Pacific as well as strengthens Blue Pacific Diplomacy to protect the value of our ocean and people.”
“Above all else, it will require a different way of working together and prioritize. The Blue Pacific as the core driver of forum policy making and collective actions. The forum political dialogue needs to be informed by The Blue Pacific which in turn supports forum actions in a manner that empowers the region.”
Secretary General of the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat Dame Meg Taylor said, “The Framework for Pacific Regionalism has provided the platform for a reinvigorated regionalism over the last two and a half years. A regionalism that is increasingly inclusive, innovative, adaptive and producing results. We now have a regional policy agenda that it is both focused and political.”
The two-day event were hosted by the Pacific Island News Association (PINA) and the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and featured speakers from fields such as fisheries, sports as well as other sectors.
ENDS
Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change & Communications.