Forum Secretary General confirms dates for the 38th Pacific Leaders meeting in Tonga

Forum Secretary General, Greg Urwin, has announced that the 38th Pacific Islands Forum will meet in Nuku’alofa, Tonga on 16 and 17 October 2007.

The dates were confirmed following consultations with the Government of Tonga, as the next Forum host, and with other member governments. All the meetings will be held in Nuku’alofa, except for the Leaders’ Retreat, which will be held in Vava’u.

The Forum Secretariat is working closely with the Government of Tonga on arrangements for the Forum and Forum-related meetings.

Prior to the annual Leaders’ meeting, there will be the Smaller Islands States (SIS) Leaders’ Summit and the Pacific ACP Leaders’ Summit. Following the Forum meetings involving Leaders, there will be the 19th Post-Forum Dialogue Partners’ Plenary Session between the Forum and its 13 Dialogue Partners on high level policy issues.

The meeting of the Forum Officials Committee will be held in Nuku’alofa on 25 and 26 September. The Forum Officials Committee is the governing body for the Secretariat.

The program is as follows:

Monday 15 October
- Smaller Islands States Leaders’ Summit
- Pacific ACP Leaders’ Summit

Tuesday 16 October
- Official Opening of the 38th Pacific Islands Forum
- 38th Pacific Islands Forum Plenary Session

Wednesday 17 October
- Forum Leaders’ Retreat

Thursday 18 October
- 19th Post-Forum Dialogue Partners Meeting

Source: PIFS