Secretary General Henry Puna
Remarks at the MOU signing
Between
The International Organization for Migration (IOM)
And
The Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS)
On
Provision of Support for the Development of a Regional Strategy
April 6th, 2023, at the Forum Secretariat, Suva
To our International Organisation for Migration friends, Ms. Jacqueline Weekers, Chief of Mission for Australia and Coordinator for the Pacific;
And Ms. Sarah Lou Arriola, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Bula vinaka, it is a great pleasure to welcome you to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat as we look to strengthen our partnership on labour mobility.
We also acknowledge the on-going support and technical guidance provided by the International Organisation for Migration. Your support of regional initiatives currently underway by the Secretariat, including work on climate mobility and human security is well recognised for the continued assistance provided to our Members.
This partnership is a welcome opportunity for the Secretariat as we progress our journey towards achieving a long-term vision for our region, through the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
As you may be aware, the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent sets out the region’s approach for collectively working together to achieve our long-term vision and aspirations. We are committed to ensuring our region is able to determine our own priorities and shape the kind of future we want for ourselves and generations after us.
With this in mind, we recognise this partnership will support the ambitions we have set out under key thematic areas outlined in the 2050 Strategy --specifically under ‘People Centered Development’; ‘Resource and Economic Development, and Connectivity and Technology.
Through the development of the implementation plan for these thematic areas, we need to ensure that labour mobility delivers prosperity and well-being for Pacific Peoples.
At the Special Leaders Meeting in Nadi in February, Forum Leaders emphasised the need for further dialogue with our countries on labour mobility to ensure mutual benefit for both sending and receiving countries, and more economical, social and cultural support for all. I would also encourage the International Organisation for Migration to support the Secretariat in organizing further dialogue before our Leaders’ meeting later this year in the Cook Islands.
With today’s partnership commitment, I know I can look forward to your support in working closely with our Members as we undertake national consultations that inform regional policy decisions and opportunities for dialogue and engagement across these issues.
The Secretariat wishes to convey its appreciation to the IOM in providing support through the mobilization of a Labour Mobility Specialist to assist the Secretariat in the development of the Regional Labour Mobility Strategy.
I will also ensure our process will be inclusive and collaborative in the development of this Pacific Regional Labour Mobility Strategy and Implementation Roadmap.
With the guidance of the Forum Trade Ministers Meeting, an update will be presented to Leaders.
With your continued support we look forward to a successful Regional Labour Mobility strategy which will catalyse our aspirations for the 2050 Strategy.
With these few words this morning,
I Thank you.--ENDS
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