Regional Framework invites public engagement in Regional Priority Setting Processes

In 2014, Pacific Islands Forum Leaders endorsed the Framework for Pacific Regionalism as the master strategy for strengthening cooperation and integration between the states and territories of the Pacific region. The Framework articulates the vision, values and objectives of an enhanced Pacific regionalism and sets out a process for identifying and prioritising high-level regional public policy. As per this new regional Framework, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat is currently inviting and seeking regional concepts and initiatives from the public across the Pacific region. This call for regional initiatives opened on 27 April and closes on 12 June. 

All submitted regional initiatives will be assessed by the Specialist Sub-Committee on Regionalism (SSCR), a grouping of eight prominent, regionally-focused individuals from around the Pacific. The SSCR will select up to five initiatives to be put on the Leaders’ Meeting Agenda in September 2015. The definition of a regional initiative under the Framework is deliberately broad. Initiatives may touch on any number of things, but they should require and contribute to regional integration and cooperation. Initiatives may touch on regional delivery of services, regional infrastructure, political dialogue and processes, international diplomacy, regional policy and regulatory reforms, new norms and standards for the Pacific, region-wide services and infrastructure, and many other things. 

As part of this process, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat widely encourages submissions from all sectors of the public, including individuals, government, the private sector, civil society organizations, and regional organisations. Detailed guidelines on this process and a template for submitting initiatives are available at http://www.forumsec.org. Submissions may be sent to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat via email, post, hand delivery or fax. All submissions received will be made publicly available on the Forum’s website. -Ends- Background Information: About the Framework for Pacific Regionalism: Mandated by Pacific Island Leaders at their annual Forum in July 2014. It articulates the vision, values and objectives of an invigorated Pacific–wide regionalism, and positions Pacific Islands Leaders to make game-changing decisions about the agenda and priorities for the Pacific region. 

About the Pacific Islands Forum: A political grouping of 16 independent and self-governing states. Its Secretariat (PIFS) is based in Suva, Fiji, to deliver on the decisions made at the annual Forum Leaders meetings and high level ministerial meetings. PIFS is led by the Secretary General (currently Dame Meg Taylor of Papua New Guinea) who is directly responsible to the Forum Leaders and to the Forum Officials’ Committee (FOC). PIFS is mandated to coordinate the implementation of the Framework for Pacific Regionalism. For more information, please contact: Joel Nilon Framework for Pacific Regionalism Adviser E: FPR@forumsec.org T: +679 331 2600 For media enquiries, please contact media@forumsec.org