Forum Economic Ministers Meet in Honiara, Solomon Islands

“The Forum Economic Ministers Meeting is a key regional meeting that considers a wide array of economic development issues relevant to the Forum Islands Countries (FICs). 

This year’s FEMM will deliberate on policy options to Strengthen Economic Linkages across sectors in the FICs, the core theme of the gathering,” the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), Tuiloma Neroni Slade said. 

Economic Ministers of the Pacific Islands Forum will gather for the 18th Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) and associated meetings in Honiara, Solomon Islands from 8-11 July 2014. 

The integrated development of the tourism sector and its linkages to other sectors, as supported by the Forum Leaders’ Waiheke Declaration on Sustainable Economic Development, will be a core focus of this year’s FEMM. 

In line with the theme, the Ministers will consider policy options to improve linkages between the tourism and agricultural sectors, and consider developments in essential infrastructure for enhancing tourism development in the region, including aviation connectivity and ports for cruise-ships, underpinned by the regional tourism strategy. 

“This year, the Private Sector Dialogue Workshop will be held in the margins of the FEMM, prior to the private sector representatives’ discussion with the Economic Ministers on key issues affecting private sector development in the region. Private sector representatives will be also formulating their statement for engagement with the Forum Leaders in a few weeks time in Palau. This new mechanism is expected to enhance the effectiveness of policy formulation in support of private sector engagement in the FICs,” Mr Slade said. 

The Secretary General underpinned the importance of stronger collaboration between FICs, regional agencies and development partners to advance sustainable economic growth in FICs. 

“A Joint Forum Economic and Pacific Health Ministers meeting will also be held to discuss the role of Economic and Health Ministers in addressing Non-Communicable Diseases, which are increasingly having direct impact on the region’s economic development,” Mr Slade added. 

More information: 

The 2014 FEMM and associated meetings consist of: Private Sector Dialogue Workshop on 8-9 July, followed by a Private Sector Dialogue with Economic Ministers on 10 July; Forum Economic Officials Meeting on 8-9 July, to consider the issues on FEMM agenda, and provide appropriate recommendations for Ministers’ consideration; FEMM Seminar on Establishing and Managing Trust Funds (a joint PIFS and World Bank Initiative) on 9 July; FEMM on 10 July; and Joint Forum Economic and Pacific Health Ministers meeting on 11 July to discuss the role of Economic and Health Ministers in addressing Non-Communicable Diseases in the region. 

The agenda for this year’s FEMM also includes an update on the Pacific Plan review and its implications for the FEMM, the upcoming 2014 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Conference in Samoa, and the update by Australia on the G20 and its Presidency of G20 in 2013/2014. Updates on the economic empowerment of women and Forum Compact issues, including public financial management, remain standing agenda items at FEMM.

 Over the last three years, Forum Economic Ministers have identified Climate change resourcing as an ongoing issue. T

he Ministers will consider what Finance Ministries need to do to ensure sound country-led climate change responses and building FICs’ readiness to access climate change finance. ENDS 

Media Advisory: 

2014 FEMM Press Conference Media agencies are invited to cover the following events on Thursday 10th July at the Heritage Park Hotel, Honiara, Solomon Islands. 

Event Time Official Opening of the 2014 FEMM by his Excellency the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Honorable Gordon Darcy Lilo 8:15 -9:00am 

FEMM Photograph 9:00 – 9:20am 

2014 FEMM Press Conference 5:45 -6:30pm 

You are invited to send a reporter and camera person/photographer to cover this event. 

Please confirm your attendance via email to media@forumsec.org For media enquiries contact media@forumsec.org