The review of the Pacific region architecture, a core undertaking that will precede the delivery of the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy, will not be rushed, said outgoing secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) Henry Puna.
Upon the mandate of Pacific leaders in Cook Islands last year, PIFS is leading the implementation work of the Blue Pacific Strategy in partnership with member countries, the Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP) and regional agencies, development partners and key stakeholders.
“I’m pleased to say that there will be a report, not the finished product, to our leaders in August, when they hold their Forum Leaders’ meeting in Tonga,” Mr Puna told this newspaper during his monthly media briefing in Suva last Friday.
“If I can summarise the concerns that have emanated from our members, it is the perception that there is too much duplication of work, too many meetings dealing with the same issue, so what they’re really asking for is that there needs to be better alignment and better coordination and collaboration between PIFS and these various CROP agencies.
“I think that is a very reasonable request, because from our sponsors’ point of view, they really want to see real value for their money. We respect that very much. So, that’s a brief report on the review of the regional architecture – very important work that will not be rushed. It will be handled with care and sensitivity.”
Mr Puna said in streamlining the different CROP agencies, consideration must be given to their complex realities in that they are funded by a number of bigger countries who are also members.
“It’s very important for us to be conscious of that when we are dealing with this sensitive issue and we need to respect the sovereignty of these organisations.”
CROP agencies are: The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), the Pacific Community (SPC), the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme(SPREP), the University of the South Pacific(USP), the Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP), South Pacific Tourism Organisation(SPTO), Pacific Power Association(PPA), Pacific Aviation Safety Office(PASO).
