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THIRTY-SECOND PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM

Republic of Nauru

16 - 18 August 2001

FORUM COMMUNIQUE

The Thirtieth Anniversary and Thirty-Second Meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum was held in the Republic of Nauru from 16-18 August 2001 and was attended by Heads of State and Government of the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu and representatives from Australia, the Fiji Islands, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. New Caledonia participated as an observer. The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Rt Hon Don McKinnon was present at the Forum for the first time. A representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations was also present.

2.   Leaders thanked the Rt Hon Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, the remaining founding father of the Forum for his keynote address presented to the 30th Anniversary of the Forum reflecting on the growth in strength of the Forum over the years.

3.   The Forum observed a moment of silence in remembrance of the former Prime Minister of Tuvalu, the late Hon. Ionatana Ionatana, who passed away since its last meeting and acknowledged his substantial contribution to Tuvalu and the region.

4.   Leaders thanked Nauru for hosting the Forum's 30th Anniversary and the Thirty-Second Pacific Islands Forum meeting and acknowledged with appreciation the warm welcome and generous hospitality provided to all delegations to the Forum and for the arrangements made for its meeting.

5.   The Forum considered a range of key issues of concern to the region presented through reports of Ministerial Meetings, and the report of the Chairman of the Forum Officials Committee, which met immediately prior to the Forum. Ministerial Meetings held in the course of the year included the Forum Economic Ministers Meeting, the Forum Education Ministers Meeting, the Forum Trade Ministers Meeting and the Pacific ACP Trade Ministers Meeting. The report of the Chairman of the Forum Officials Committee covered several important associated political, international, economic and trade issues.

Forum Trade Ministers Meeting

6.   The Forum recalled its decision in 1999 to endorse, in principle, a free trade area among Forum members, and its direction to officials to negotiate the details of the draft Agreement, including negative lists and measures to include Australia and New Zealand.  Leaders also noted that a free trade area had been an objective since the very first meeting of the Forum thirty years ago and commended the forward vision of the Forum's forefathers in this matter.

7.   Leaders, at this historical 30th Anniversary meeting of the Forum, endorsed the outcomes of the Forum Trade Ministers Meeting held in Apia, Samoa, from 27-28 June 2001, in particular the recommended texts of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) and the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA) which were opened for signature at Nauru on 18 August 2001. The Forum hailed these agreements as providing a basis for increasing regional integration and as a means to effectively prepare members' economies to respond to globalisation. It looked forward to ratification of the Agreements as soon as possible by sufficient states to enable them to come into force by the next Forum.

8.   Leaders also acknowledged the crucial role of Forum Trade Ministers and their Officials as well as the expert guidance of the Forum Secretariat in achieving this longstanding goal.

9.   Leaders supported in principle the launching of a new round of negotiations at the 4th WTO Ministerial Conference in Doha, Qatar and endorsed the focus and strategy for the region at this meeting.

Forum Education Ministers Meeting(FEdMM)

10.  The Forum recognised that basic education is the fundamental building block for all societies. When combined with greater employment opportunities, basic education leads to enhanced personal and societal security.

11.  Leaders therefore endorsed the outcomes of the Forum Education Ministers Meeting held in Auckland, New Zealand,from 14-15 May 2001, and strongly supported the Forum Basic Education Action Plan 2001. In particular, the Forum welcomed the Pacific Vision for Education which outlines measures for translating the region's priority on basic education into effective action through a set of regional initiatives. In addition they agreed for further work on the provision of necessary resources for basic education, the development of partnerships with non-governmental providers, as well as the incorporation of gender and governance issues in basic education.

12.  Leaders also recognised the important role of information technology in the delivery of education and further called on members to urgently implement measures to address the high cost of accessing information technology infrastructure.

 Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM)

13.  Leaders endorsed the outcomes of the Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) held in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, from 19-20 July 2001. The Forum noted in particular the new challenges and opportunities confronting the region arising from globalisation, and the role Leaders and policymakers have in building on those opportunities, while managing and minimising the risks. Leaders welcomed the focus by FEMM on land and intellectual property rights issues and the stock-take on progress on the implementation of the Forum's Accountability Principles and FEMM Action Plan.  In particular Leaders noted the importance of addressing land use issues including its use for commercial purposes.

14.  Leaders also endorsed the priority placed on improvements in regional statistics and further development of a regional capacity to coordinate and enhance technical assistance in this area.

Pacific ACP Trade Ministers Meeting

15.  Leaders recalled their decision at their 2000 Forum to welcome the signing of the Cotonou Agreement in July 2000, which marked the start of a new economic and political relationship between the ACP states and the European Union and encouraged early ratification of the Cotonou Agreement by all members. The Forum stressed the importance of regional preparations and capacity building in order for members to participate effectively in trade negotiations with the European Union under the Cotonou Agreement, expected to commence in September 2002.

16.   The Forum noted the progress made in the preparations for these negotiations and the importance of reflecting the different needs of members in the development of options for the new trade arrangements.

Regional Security

17.   The Forum welcomed the progress on reaching an agreed basis for a comprehensive political settlement in Bougainville.

18.   The Forum welcomed the holding of elections in Fiji commencing on 25 August 2001.

19.   The Forum expressed its support for the efforts of the Solomon Islands' Government and people, and the work of the International Peace Monitoring Team in the Solomon Islands and welcomed the decision to hold elections later this year.

20.   Forum Leaders expressed continuing concern about violence and loss of life in the Indonesian province of Irian Jaya (West Papua). They encouraged the Indonesian Government, the sovereign authority, to ensure that the voices of all parties in the province are heard in order to achieve a peaceful resolution of their differences.  Forum Leaders welcomed the recent presentation of special autonomy proposals to Indonesia's Parliament.  They also urged all parties to protect and uphold the human rights of all residents in Irian Jaya (West Papua).  Forum Leaders agreed to follow closely developments in the province.

Western and Central Pacific Tuna Convention (WCPTC)

21.   Leaders noted the satisfactory outcomes of the first Preparatory Conference for the implementation of the Western and Central Pacific Tuna Convention and urged those states who have not signed to do so by 5September 2001, the end of the signature period. The Forum also thanked New Zealand for its substantial efforts in organising the first Preparatory Conference, and for initiating and contributing to a Trust Fund to assist developing states to hold future Preparatory Conferences and Small Island Developing States' participation in the Conferences. Leaders also thanked Australia for its recently announced contribution to the Trust Fund.

Shipment of Radioactive Materials

22.   The Forum reiterated its continuing concerns over the shipment of radioactive materials through the region. It acknowledged the continued constructive and useful discussions taking place between Forum members and government officials and nuclear industry representatives from France, Japan and the United Kingdom on innovative arrangements and assurances to meet Forum members' continuing concerns.

23.   The Forum noted the assurances made by the shipping states and shippers relating to the safety of the shipments and their response in the event of an incident. The Leaders called for the shipping states also to provide assurances on providing compensation in the event of an incident where there was no release of radioactivity.  The Forum agreed that its concerns should be constructively and vigorously pursued at the appropriate political level.

South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty

24.   Leaders congratulated Tonga for ratifying the Treaty on 18 December 2000 and reiterated their call on the United States to ratify the Protocols to the Treaty. 

Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and Disarmament

25.   The Forum, recalling its 1999 decision to pursue genuine and universal disarmament, further urged all its members, its development partners and all those countries which had not done so, in particular the outstanding Annex 2 States, to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

26.   Leaders encouraged all Forum members to attend the Second Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the CTBT to be held in New York from 25-27 September 2001 in order to take all possible steps to ensure early entry into force of the Treaty.  Leaders also encouraged those of its members who have been chosen to host monitoring stations under the International Monitoring System of the global verification regime provided for under the CTBT, to complete the arrangements for the setting up of those stations as soon as practicable.

27.   The Forum also encouraged early ratification of and accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Ottawa Convention, and conclusion with the International Atomic Energy Agency of NPT Safeguards Agreements and the Additional Protocol.

Population Issues

28.   Leaders expressed concerns over increasing problems for countries in the region arising from rapid population increases.  Current trends indicate that most members can expect continuing population growth for at least the next three decades. This, in association with the spread of modernisation, will generate a greater demand on limited resources which could further erode the living standards of its people. The Forum called for further work in this area as a matter of priority.

World Summit on Sustainable Development

29.   Leaders noted that the UN Summit on Sustainable Development is to be convened in South Africa in September 2002 and recognised that it will provide an opportunity for the region's aspirations and concerns for sustainable development to be heard in the international community. They endorsed the work commenced by CROP organisations in preparing the region for this Summit.

Climate Change and Sea Level Rise

30.   Leaders recognised and endorsed the deep concern in the region about climate change and the need to seek international understanding of the unique circumstances of Pacific Island Countries, especially low lying islands.

31.   Leaders noted the  outcomes of the Resumed Sixth Conference of the Parties (COP6) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Bonn, Germany in July 2001 and reiterated that the Kyoto Protocol remains a significant first step forward on the path to ensuring effective global action to combat climate change.

32.   Leaders reaffirmed the importance of the early entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol, preferably by 2002, noting that its implementation will result in real and measurable reductions in greenhouse gases.

33.   The Forum encouraged all parties to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, observing that some Forum members have already ratified it.  Leaders noted the concerns expressed by most members over the United States' intention not to ratify the Kyoto Protocol and agreed that the Forum urge the United States to reconsider its position and ratify the Kyoto Protocol.

34.   Leaders encouraged the United States and all other major emitters to contribute towards global efforts to address climate change.

35.   Leaders stressed the desirability of all countries making every effort to work towards the resolution of all outstanding negotiating issues at the next Conference of the Parties (COP7).

36.   Leaders also called for further commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the future and highlighted the importance that Forum members place on domestic action to reduce emissions.

37.   Leaders further recognised the benefits of encouraging renewable energy and energy efficiency to advance the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and directed that regional initiatives in this, and other climate change-related areas, be coordinated using the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific.

Implementation of the Honiara Declaration

 38.   Leaders expressed their serious concerns that, despite the provision of legal drafting assistance, progress in implementing the legislative priorities of the Honiara Declaration had been disappointingly slow. The need, however, to enact the legislative priorities identified under the Declaration and for law enforcement cooperation has become more acute since the adoption of the Honiara Declaration almost ten years ago. There is clear evidence of serious transnational crime moving into the region and posing serious threats to the sovereignty, security and economic integrity of Forum members. Leaders therefore directed the Secretariat to carry out a stock-take of members' actions and to report to the 2002 Forum.

Financial Intelligence Units

39.   Leaders at their 2000 meeting in Kiribati, recognised the importance of financial information and intelligence sharing among its members and endorsed the establishment of domestic Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) and the scoping of a regional FIU.

40.   The Forum welcomed the assistance from the International Monetary Fund in the provision of technical assistance to the region in this area and welcomed the cooperation between its Secretariat and the Asia Pacific Secretariat on Money Laundering through the Coordinating Office for the Participating Countries Anti-Money Laundering Initiative (COAMLI). 

Weapons Control

41.   Leaders noted the outcomes of the United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons and All of its Aspects, held in New York in July 2001 and in particular, the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trafficking in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects. The Forum urged all members to support the implementation of the Programme of Action.

42.  Leaders also noted the progress made in developing draft weapons control model legislation for the region.   

OECD Initiative on Harmful Tax Competition

43.  Leaders reaffirmed the sovereign right of nations to establish domestic tax regimes of their own design and choosing. In this regard, they encouraged the development of a cooperative framework within which countries can work together to address transparency, capacity building and appropriate information exchange in relation to tax matters.

44.  Leaders endorsed ongoing efforts to reach a negotiated agreement with the OECD on a tax initiative which recognises the needs of both developing and developed countries. They also strongly objected to the creation of any "black list" by the OECD prior to reaching a negotiated agreement.

45.  Leaders welcomed the efforts of Australia and New Zealand to encourage fuller consideration by the OECD of Forum members' concerns at the proposed OECD tax initiative and the willingness of OECD to give fuller consideration to those concerns.

Drug Issues

46.  The Forum reiterated its concerns over the increase in drug trafficking and in local production of illicit drugs in the region and renewed its call to the international community to cooperate with the region, in particular with regional law enforcement.

47.  Leaders welcomed work being undertaken in developing a draft model bill on the control of illicit drugs and reiterated the call in the Honiara Declaration for all members to sign and ratify relevant international treaties and conventions on drug control.

South Pacific Whale  Sanctuary

48.  Leaders recalled their decision at their 2000 meeting calling for the progressing of a proposal on a South Pacific Whale Sanctuary. Leaders also noted the outcome of the Apia meeting convened to advance the proposal.

49.  Leaders, in noting the decision of the International Whaling Commission and the outcomes of the Apia meeting, endorsed the Apia Statement and agreed to pursue the objectives of the proposed South Pacific Whale Sanctuary through national, regional and international actions.

50.  Leaders also noted that some Forum members have taken steps to effect protection of whales within their national Exclusive Economic Zones and that other member countries might wish to consider similar action, in which case appropriate technical support could be made available.

Pacific Islands Speakers Forum

51.  Leaders welcomed the outcomes of the inaugural Pacific Islands Speakers Forum, in particular the Regional Action Plan for Forum Island Country Legislatures, which contains key principles of best practices to guide legislative development in all Forum Island Countries.  The Leaders noted the offer by the Marshall Islands to host the next Speakers Forum in 2002.

52.  The Forum recognised the central role of Forum Island Countries' legislatures in promoting good governance.  Leaders agreed to provide support, in principle, to the Speakers Forum through the Secretariat subject to availability of funding. They directed the officials to further consider this matter including the issue of long term sustainability.

External Relations

53.  The Forum recalled its decision in 2000 to invite the Commonwealth and United Nations Secretaries General and warmly welcomed the participation of the Commonwealth Secretary General, at this 30th Anniversary meeting. Leaders were also pleased that the UN Secretary-General sent a representative to its meeting. A statement on the Commonwealth is at Attachment 1.

54.  Leaders, in pursuit of a closer and cooperative relationship with the United Nations, also welcomed the inclusion of an item "Cooperation between the United Nations and the Pacific Islands Forum" onthe provisional agenda of the 56th United Nations General Assembly, and commendedthe outgoing Forum Chairman for the initiative.

55.  The Forum called on its members and Dialogue Partners to the Forum to support individually and collectively this initiative at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.

Republic of Marshall Islands Radioactive Contamination

56.  The Forum recognised the special circumstances pertaining to the continued presence of radioactive contaminants in the Republic of Marshall Islands, and reaffirmed the existence of a special responsibility by the United States towards the people of the Marshall Islands, who had been, and are continuing to be, adversely affected as a direct result of nuclear weapons tests conducted by the United States of America during its administration of the islands under the UN Trusteeship mandate.

57.  The Forum again reiterated its call on the United States to live up to its full obligations on the provision of adequate and fair compensation and the commitment to its responsibility for the safe resettlement of displaced populations, including the full and final restoration to economic productivity of all affected areas.

Smaller Island States

 58.  The Leaders noted the decisions of the Smaller Island States Meeting as summarised in its report at Attachment 2.

Sports in the Pacific

59.  The Leaders agreed that sports provide a viable and significant opportunity for the Pacific Island Nations to improve the quality of life for its people through better health, education and particular in stimulating the local economy to create new and varied job opportunities.  In addition, sports create pathways for young people of the region to achieve better standards of education and job opportunities abroad, a trend, which will be essential to the future survival of our Island Nations. Sports must therefore continue to retain a significant place in the overall development strategies adopted by the Governments of the Pacific Region.

PALM

60.  The Leaders reiterated their appreciation of Japan's efforts to enhance relations with the Forum members, particularly through the Pacific Islands Forum/Japan Summit (PALM), noting that the next summit will be in 2003.

Tourism

 61.  Leaders discussed the desirability of closer collaboration between the Forum and the South Pacific Tourism Organisation and agreed that the Forum Secretariat and SPTO should consult further on how this might be achieved..  

Announcements

62.  The Leaders welcomed Australia's announcement of the following initiatives:

Melanesian Spearhead Group

63.  Leaders welcomed a presentation by the Chairman of the Melanesian Spearhead Group Summit in relation to the MSG Leaders' Summit held in Noumea, New Caledonia, on 16-20 July 2001, and noted the MSG's Leaders Joint Statement on the Kyoto Protocol. The Statement is at Attachment 3.

Appreciation

64. The Forum commended the outgoing Chairman, HE Mr Teburoro Tito, President of the Republic of Kiribati, and his Government for his leadership of the Forum over the past year.

COMMONWEALTH

The Forum welcomed the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Don McKinnon who attended their meeting for the first time in Nauru.  The Forum also welcomed the information provided by the Commonwealth Secretary-General on arrangements being made for the Brisbane Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October 2001.  They expressed the region's appreciation for the efforts of the Commonwealth Secretariat in support of the Region's response to the OECD Harmful Tax Competition Initiative.

Leaders also welcomed the proposal for the convening in London in July 2002, of a Commonwealth Summit On Small States.  They noted that, since the Commonwealth/World Bank Study on Small States was released in early 2000, significant progress had been made in persuading International Institutions to recognise the special and differential status of small states.  They welcomed in particular, the inclusion of a Small States Forum on the agenda of the Annual World Bank meetings and saw this as a positive response to the concerns of small states.

The Forum however recognised that much work remained to be done in their efforts to sensitise the world community to the issues affecting small states and recommitted themselves to this task.  In this regard, they noted that the proposed Summit would provide the opportunity for all Member States of the Commonwealth to focus on the priority needs and concerns of small states and the measures required to address those needs.

Attachment 2

10th SMALLER ISLAND STATES SUMMIT

Menen Hotel, Republic of Nauru

17 August 2001

 

SUMMARY OF DECISIONS

Leaders of the Forum's six Smaller Islands States (SIS), comprising Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Republic of Marshall Islands and Tuvalu, met on 17 August 2001 in Nauru. The meeting was chaired by the President of Nauru. Leaders welcomed, particularly, the new Director, Mr Feleti Teo, of the Forum Fisheries Agency and the presence of the Heads of other CROP organisations.

Airline Services

2.  The SIS Summit noted the lack of progress on resolving aviation policy issues in the region, which has an impact on SIS members who lacked adequate air services. There was also concern at the slowness in resolving issues concerning the management of Pacific upper airspace. The Leaders noted that Forum Aviation Ministers were scheduled to meet on 19 September 2001, in Samoa, and agreed that their respective delegations will make an effort to effectively represent their common concerns at this meeting.

3.  Leaders agreed that the Association of South Pacific Airlines and the Pacific Forum Line be invited to future SIS summits for agenda items concerning aviation and shipping issues, respectively.

Small Grant Funds

4.  The Summit thanked donors for their support of assistance programmes aimed at addressing the special concerns of SIS members, and requested that greater efforts be made to ensure that the SIS had improved access, commensurate with their needs, to region-wide schemes such as the Taiwan/ROC-PIFS Scholarship Scheme. Leaders also requested that SPTO be included in the Management Committee for this scheme.

Shipping

5.  SIS Leaders welcomed the work being undertaken on reviewing and analysing shipping regulation in the Forum island countries, recognising that this should lead the way to improved shipping links, which in turn provides an important mechanism for enhancing the impact of the prospective Pacific Island Country Trade Agreement.

Issues for Forum

6. The Summit considered the issues that were being brought to the attention of Forum through the letter from the FOC Chair. The Summit agreed that it supported all the recommendations being made in the letter, but wished to focus on three issues that had a particular impact on their interests, as set out below.

Education

7.  SIS Leaders welcomed the Forum Education Action Plan, which recognises that basic education is a fundamental building block for society. The Leaders emphasised the urgent need to implement measures to address the high cost of accessing information technology as an important education and information tool for their respective communities.

Climate Change and Sea Level Rise

8.  On climate change, the SIS Summit were deeply concerned over the United States' intention not to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, and encouraged the United States to contribute towards global efforts to address climate change. The SIS emphasised that the Kyoto Protocol remains a significant first step towards ensuring effective global action to address climate change and sea level rise, and called on all major emitters of greenhouse gases to support these actions.

United Nations Cooperation

9. The SIS Leaders welcomed the inclusion of an item in the provisional agenda of the United Nations General Assembly entitled "Cooperation between the United Nations and the Pacific islands Forum", and expressed their determination to attend the forthcoming General Assembly. They noted that this also provided an opportunity to directly express their concerns on the issue of climate change and sea level rise, both in the United Nations and direct with the United States.

OECD Harmful Tax Competition Initiative

10.  On the OECD's Harmful Tax Initiative, the meeting reaffirmed the sovereign right of nations to establish domestic tax regimes of their own choosing. SIS Leaders encouraged the development of a cooperative framework to address transparency, capacity building and appropriate information exchange in relation to tax matters. The Leaders strongly objected to the creation of any black list by the OECD prior to reaching a negotiated agreement, and welcomed the efforts of Australia and New Zealand to encourage fuller consideration by the OECD of Forum members' concerns over the proposed OECD tax initiative, and the willingness of the OECD to consider those concerns.

Relations with the Commonwealth

11.  The Summit welcomed the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Mr Don McKinnon. He explained plans for a special Commonwealth meeting focussing on small island state issues, scheduled to be held in London on 24 July 2002. Leaders expressed their support for such a meeting. However, they were disappointed that, because the Commonwealth had placed a freeze on new members, not all the SIS would be able to attend.

Attachment 3

Statement by Hon. Roch Wamytan,

Current Chairman of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) at the

 32nd Pacific Islands Forum 

I am indeed most honoured and privileged to be given this special opportunity to address this Forum meeting today. As Leader of the FLNKS, I have an additional role as Chairman of the MSG group since the 14th Summit of Leaders of the Melanesian Spearhead Group was held in Noumea, New-Caledonia from 16 to 20 July 2001.

Leaders who attended were the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, the Hon. Edward Nipake Natapei; the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, the Hon. Sir Mekere  Morauta; the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Fijian Affairs of the Fiji Islands, Hon. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau; the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Solomon Islands, Hon. David Sitai, and myself as the President of the Front de Liberation Kanak Socialiste (FLNKS) of New-Caledonia.

Leaders in their statements during the opening ceremony highlighted the historical significance of the FLNKS hosting, for the first time, the MSG Summit in New-Caledonia. And the FLNKS confirmed that it will honour the confidence that the MSG has placed on it during the two years of its term as Chairman of the Organization.

At their Retreat, the Leaders discussed and made the following 'Fayava Decisions':

On trade and related matters, the Leaders considered and accepted the recommendations by the MSG Senior officials, in particular the proposed schedule of concessions and Negative Lists of members countries.

Leaders agreed that Vanuatu be the host of the MSG Secretariat. In this regard, the Leaders agreed that MSG Senior officials in consultation with the host, develop an appropriate Headquarters Agreement.

On political and security matters in the Region, the Leaders agreed to maintain regular direct contacts amongst themselves.

The MSG recognised the importance of the Kyoto Protocol and the Leaders agreed to issue a strong statement expressing their view points, and that the matters should be brought to the attention of Leaders at the Pacific Islands Forum, here in Nauru.

In doing so they also urged member countries who are yet to ratify the Protocol to do so.

I am happy to hereby table the MSG statement relating to the Kyoto Protocol for Forum Leaders' consideration as part of this meeting outcome.

Leaders unanimously agreed to support New-Caledonian's application to host the 2007 South Pacific Games.

The MSG also reaffirmed their support of Vanuatu's application for accession to the World Trade Organization.

The issue of the Asian Development Bank Pacific Regional Office was also examined. On the question of it's relocation, the Leaders strongly believe that the office should be moved to a Pacific Island member country.

Leaders were pleased to accept the offer by Solomon Islands to host the next MSG Summit in 2003.

In conclusion, Leaders noted that the government of New-Caledonia's hosting of the 14th MSG Summit was a meaningful demonstration of her goodwill to strengthen relations with MSG Countries. Leaders also noted the facilitative role of the Government of France.  

May I now, Mr Chairman, seek your indulgence of allow me to say a few words as the mandated representative of the Government of New-Caledonia.

First of all, I wish to present to the Forum the sincere apologies of the President of the Government of New Caledonia for not being able to attend this 32nd Pacific Islands Forum.

My country recently had the pleasure to welcome the Melanesian Spearhead Group Summit. This Summit was unanimously recognised as an incontestable success. Everyone agreed on its historical character which showed a strong will to integrate and to associate New Caledonia to the activities of the regional organizations, and to develop with them partnership relations, especially with its Melanesian neighbours.

Mr Chairman, I wish to express our deep gratitude to Forum member countries who allowed New Caledonia to attend for the first time, the Forum Officials Committee at their meeting here in Nauru. This is a very encouraging sign for our better involvement in the regional environment.

Mr Chairman, on behalf the Government of New Caledonia, I am pleased today to invite the Forum Ministerial Committee on New Caledonia' to visit our country next year. This mission will give the opportunity for the participating states to appreciate the reality of the Caledonian institutions, their workings and particularly the implementation of the Noumea Accord.

 I thank you. 

14th MSG LEADERS SUMMIT

FAYAVA, OUVEA ISLAND, NEW CALEDONIA

19 JULY 2001 

JOINT STATEMENT ON KYOTO PROTOCOL

Leaders of MSG, during the 14th Summit Retreat at Fayava, on Ouvea Island in New Caledonia on 19 July 2001 reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of the Kyoto Protocol, mindful of the deleterious consequences that member countries of the MSG as well as the neighbours in the Pacific region would face if the causes of climate change and sea level rise are not immediately addressed.

Cognizant of this, the MSG Leaders urged other Leaders of countries in similar disadvantaged position to sign and ratify the Kyoto Protocol as soon as possible.

The Leaders noted with extreme disappointment the refusal by the United States to review its position on the targets for reduction of Green House Gas emissions.

The Leaders further noted that the level of Green House Gas emissions by Australian industries is the highest in the Pacific region.  They expressed deep concern over their (Australia) continued reluctance to make a positive commitment on this issue of critical importance to the Pacific Island Countries.

The MSG Leaders agreed to further pursue this issue at the forthcoming Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) meeting in Nauru with a view to the PIF taking a more proactive position and action plan on this matter.

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