The United Nations says a forum between Pacific Island NGOs at a conference in Melbourne, is a chance to discuss the challenges the region faces in achieving the Millenium Development Goals.
The UN spokesperson, Kiyotaka Akasaka, says many Pacific nations are struggling to meet the MDGs, which include improving child mortality rates and combatting the spread of disease.
He says while more action is need to be taken on the ground, spending money to conferences such as this one is worthwhile because it allows effective strategies to be developed.
"Indeed, the people in need on the ground, need money, help, medicine. But if the work of the thousands of thousands of NGO representatives is not coordinated, so without strategy, without knowing what the best practices and the ways forward, you may waste a lot of money and energy."
The UN's Kiyotaka Akasaka.
