6 Apr 2004

Pacific leaders meet in Auckland to consider Forum's future

7:25 am on 6 April 2004

Pacific leaders will today consider 32 recommendations aimed at giving the Pacific Islands Forum, a mandate for the future.

15 countries will be represented at a retreat style meeting at Government House in Auckland.

Don Wiseman has more

"The recommendations are the work of an Eminent Persons Group, or EPG, which toured the Pacific earlier this year meeting with or taking written submissions from around 400 parties."

They are yet to be made public but sources say the recommendations are somewhat vague principles rather that a precise plan of action.

The new secretary General. Greg Urwin, says the EPG found a desire for the organisation to be more proactive.

The forum Chair Helen Clark says there is some sense of urgency for change among the leaders.

She has also suggested greater co-operation and integration led by a stronger Forum secretariat are needed for the region to avoid becoming a ghetto of poverty and conflict.

Australia's Prime Minister, John Howard says the Pacific must work closely towards the common goal of a secure and prosperous region.

He says the Forum will have a valuable role in achieving this.

Others say the Forum must include civil society groups in its activities if it is to have future relevance.