5 Feb 2013

Pacific Plan review needs to be broad, says Morauta

2:15 pm on 5 February 2013

The chair of the Pacific Plan Review, former Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, Sir Mekere Morauta, says it is important his team consults widely as part of the review process, including with opposition groups and non-state actors.

The Pacific Islands Forum leaders set up a review at their summit last year, calling for a more dynamic Pacific Plan, which is the region's scheme for greater unity.

Sir Mekere, who has finished discussions in Tuvalu, says his team wants to gain a full and balanced perspective on the social, economic and political issues shaping regional cooperation and integration.

He says the team's experience to date is that there is a diversity of needs for regional cooperation and integration, and that there is a significant disparity in the access some citizens have to its benefits.