A historic and exciting announcement for the Pacific is expected at the first ever Pacific Islands Development Forum later today.
Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama who has been called as the champion of this new initiative is expected to make the announcement.
He hinted this in a reception at the Westin in Denarau last night.
Fijivillage understands that plans for a new secretariat for the Pacific Islands Development Forum will be laid out later today.
Issues to be considered include the governance structure, funding strategy, work program and the setting up of the new forum secretariat
Commodore Bainimarama has already said that the small island territories have not had a direct say and neither have civil society groups and businesses in previous forums.
The Prime Minister said the people most affected by government decisions - the grassroots and their representatives - have largely been excluded from the decision making process.
He said the Pacific needs a new body and a new framework of cooperation.
The Prime Minister said the existing regional structure for the past four decades - the Pacific Islands Forum - is for Governments only and has also come to be dominated only by a few.
Commodore Bainimarama stressed that the international community must face up to its responsibilities to tackle the issue of climate change, which threatens the very existence of some of our nations.
He also welcomed some of the world's biggest and richest nations, who are in Fiji as observers.
Some of these countries like China, Russia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have also contributed towards the funding of this first ever forum.
Pacific island leaders and ministers from the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Tonga, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea are attending the meeting.
Stay with us for developments today.
Story by: Vijay Narayan in Denarau
