FOC discusses 2013 PIFS budget and new corporate plan

The Forum Officials Committee, the governing council of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, today began a two-day meeting in Suva, Fiji to consider the Secretariat’s 2013 Budget and Work Programme as well as discuss a new Corporate Plan 2013 – 2018. 

The meeting held at the Secretariat’s Headquarters in Suva is attended by senior officials of Pacific Islands Forum member countries as well as CROP agencies. It is chaired by a representative of the Government of Samoa. Besides the 2013 Budget, the FOC will also consider the new Forum Secretariat’s Corporate Plan 2013 – 2018 and the Programme Strategic Plans 2013 – 2015. 

During the meeting, the Forum Secretariat will, in line with the proposals of the recent Review of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, also provide an update on the Corporate Reforms that are being been undertaken at the Secretariat including in the areas of Information and Communication Technology and a new Communications Strategy. There will also be an update on the work that is being done on a Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the Secretariat. 

At the beginning of the meeting today, the Pacific Plan Review Team led by the Eminent Person, Sir Mekere Morauta from Papua New Guinea was introduced to the Forum Officials Committee. The Team includes two senior officials representing Pacific Islands Forum countries namely Mrs Peseta Noumea Simi, Assistant CEO of Finance (Aid Coordination Debt Management) in Samoa’s Ministry of Finance, and Mr Redley Killion, former Vice President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and former Senator of the FSM state of Chuuk; and two international consultants, Mr Peter Bazeley of the United Kingdom and Dr Nick Poletti of New Zealand. 

The Team is meeting for the first time to organise the arrangements for the consultations that will be undertaken in the region starting early next year. The Review of the Pacific Plan was endorsed by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders when they met in the Cook Islands in August this year. ENDS.

 For media enquiries, contact Mr Johnson Honimae the Forum Secretariat’s Media Officer on phone 679 331 2600 or email: johnsonh@forumsec.org.fj, or Ms Mue Bentley Fisher the Forum Secretariat’s Communications Officer on phone: 679 331 2600 or email: mueb@forumsec.org.fj