17 Mar 2003

Forum to set up office in Geneva

3:32 pm on 17 March 2003

Switzerland has granted diplomatic privileges to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat to establish a permanent delegation in Geneva.

It will represent member countries at the World Trade Organisation.

The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Noel Levi, says the move recognises the importance of having such an office to help small economies of the Pacific engage in WTO negotiations.

Mr Levi says none of the smaller Forum members ,including Fiji, PNG and Solomon Islands, who are WTO members, have representation in Geneva.