Pacific Island leaders meet in Hawaii
HONOLULU (PIDP/CPIS/Hulsen) –Several of the Pacific nations’ most influential leaders will be in Hawaii next week to develop a five-year, strategic plan for the Honolulu-based East-West Center’s Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP) and forge a long-term service relationship between Pacific Island countries and the Center.
Chairing the two-day, 26th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders (PICL) will be the Prime Minister of the Fiji Islands, Major General Sitiveni Rabuka.
Among other key regional representatives scheduled to join Rabuka for the February 23-24 session are Cook Islands Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Henry, the President of French Polynesia Gaston Flosse and Tonga’s Prime Minister Baron Vaea.
Responsible for organizing next week’s meetings is Dr. Sitiveni Halapua, Director of PIDP and head of the leaders’ group’s international secretariat.
Halapua, a Tongan economist, said in addition to developing PIDP’s new millennium strategic research and service plan, the leaders also will determine the agenda, venue and dates of the next full PICL meeting.
The Standing Committee’s agenda is full, Halapua noted
East-West Center President Dr. Charles Morrison will make a presentation on the Center’s new plans to focus on critical research, educating future leaders and providing better issue dialog and communications within the entire Asia-Pacific community.
There also will be sessions on the work of the United States – Pacific Island Nations Joint Commercial Commission, the effects of the world economic crisis on the Pacific, reports on recommended foreign investment, development, conflict prevention and management strategies for the region and a review of PIDP and East-West Center training and educational projects.
Representatives of other Pacific Islands leaders who have confirmed their participation in the Standing Committee meeting are: Federated States of Micronesia: Secretary Epel Ilon, Special Representative to the President, New Caledonia: Laurent Chatenay, Member of Congress; Tuvalu: Kokea Malu, Deputy Prime Minister; and Vanuatu: Willie Jimmy, Deputy Prime Minister.
Representing Governor Benjamin Cayetano of Hawaii will be Brenda Foster, Executive Assistant to the Governor for National and International Affairs.
