Pacific Civil Societies to Focus on Response to Pacific Plan
The Pacific civil society responses to the Pacific Plan will be the focus of discussions at the next Pacific Regional
Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Forum to be held prior to the 38th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting in Tonga this year.
The Pacific Islands Association of Non Governmental Organisations (PIANGO) in consultation with other Regional NGOs will
organise the three day meet for the 12th –15th of October and will be held at the Tonga National Council of Churches in
Nuku’alofa, capital of the kingdom of Tonga.
With the theme of ‘Ensuring a Sustainable Pacific Community, the Pacific Regional CSO Forum will deliberate on the
following topics.
1. Pacific performance on the Pacific Plan and the MDG
2. reflecting Pacific Peoples value in the Pacific Plan
3. Pacific trade partnership for sustainable economic growth.
4. Energy – issues and challenges in the pacific
5. Climate change and the future of our sea and islands
6. HIV/AIDS and Gender Violence
7. Accountability leadership and Democratic Governance
8. Supporting a human security framework in the pacific
Major Regional NGOs such the World Wildlife Fund (WWF Pacific office), Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), World
Council of Churches (WWC), Foundation of the South Pacific International (FSPI), Partners in Community Development Fiji
(PCDF), Pacific People Building Peace (PPBP), Greenpeace, Pacific Network against Violence against Women (FWCC), Pacific
Concerns Resources Centre (PCRC) and Pacific Foundation for the Advancement of Women (PACFAW) and other regional
organisations will conduct concurrent workshops on pacific civil society issues.
The final CSO Forum communiqué will be finalised on the final day and handed over to Greg Urwin, Secretary – General of
the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat who will present it at the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting.
ENDS