6 Feb 2007

Pacific Community celebrates 60th birthday

11:33 am on 6 February 2007

The flags representing the Pacific Community's 22 regional member countries will be flown in New Caledonia's capital Noumea to mark the the organisation's 60th anniversary today.

The SPC's regional offices in Suva, Fiji, and in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia will also mark the day with their own celebrations with a variety of activities which include an open day.

The SPC was founded in 1947 by Australia, France, New Zealand, the Netherlands, UK and USA to coordinate their aid to the region.

Its director-general Dr Jimmie Rodgers says the celebrations will be low-key, focussing on raising more awareness about the SPC programmes in its host country, New Caledonia.

"That will be followed by a one week, open week in New Caledonia here in June 18th to the 23rd, that's when we actually open the SPC to New Caledonia that whole week."

Dr Jimmie Rodgers.