The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Foreign Minister of Australia, Stephen Smith.
The MOU covers Australia's annual membership contribution to the Forum and as well as its annual contributions to the Secretariat's Work Programmes for 2010 to 2011.
Australia's assistance to the Forum Secretariat is delivered under AusAID and has been substantial with over 45 million US dollars provided since 1988.
The funding extended under this new MoU for 2010 and 2011 amounts to 9 million US dollars.
Tuiloma Neroni Slade said the financial assistance will enable the Secretariat to implement Leaders' decisions on the key pillars of the Pacific Plan which address economic growth, sustainable development, good governance and security.
