The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat has assured Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) that they won’t be ignored in the review of the Pacific Plan.
“The Forum Secretariat acknowledges the important role of CSOs in the region and CSOs will be consulted in the review of the Pacific Plan,” said Ms Andie Fong Toy Deputy Secretary General of the Forum Secretariat.
Ms Fong Toy was speaking on 6 November at the opening of the four-day Pacific Regional CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness meeting held in Nadi, Fiji organized by the Pacific Islands Association of NGOs (PIANGO).
The meeting was attended by over 40 participants from 12 Pacific Island Countries, representatives of regional organisations, funding agencies and development partners.
Ms Fong Toy said the Pacific Plan review would be headed by former Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta who had been mandated during the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in Rarotonga, the Cook Islands in August, to lead the review.
“The intention is that the review will be independent, transparent and build on our collective experience and wisdom to fashion a Pacific Plan that is fit for purpose and reflects our development context of today and for the next decade,” she said.
“As equal actors we have a responsibility to ensure that development is delivered sustainably, effectively and transparently.” Ms Fong Toy said consultations for the review including country visits would begin in December and continue next year with the review report being tabled during the Pacific Leaders meeting in September in Majuro.
Ms Fong Toy commended PIANGO’s leadership in ensuring that the Pacific civil society voice was heard at the Fourth High Level Forum in Aid Effectiveness in Busan last year.
“In many ways the Busan meeting was a watershed for global thinking on development effectiveness, in particular that it specifically recognized the important role that civil society must play to improve effectiveness,” she said.
The meeting also received a report on PIANGO’s role in the lead up to the Busan meeting and post-Busan challenges and opportunities for national and regional CSO actors and their role in taking ownership for development. 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
