Dame Meg urges greater integration

 THERE is a greater need for accurate responses and greater integration among small island states in the Framework for Pacific Regionalism, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Secretary-General Dame Meg Taylor says.

She said that yesterday during the 24th small islands states leadership meeting in Port Moresby. 

“The meeting is the first of a series of opportunities this week, for you and fellow leaders to reflect, assess and engage on critical decisions in pursuit of wider and deeper regionalism,” Dame Meg told the leaders.

“Your agenda today (yesterday) captures the prevailing issues for the SIS, in the context of strengthening and deepening regionalism in the Pacific. 

“There is a call for a more exclusive focus on the SIS, this may seem contrary to the spirit of the Framework for Pacific Regionalism, which calls for inclusivity and transparency in the business of our region. 

“We cannot afford not to place special attention on the SIS, if we are to reflect and better understand the real rewards of regionalism.” 

She told the leaders that a handful of priorities must be implemented as fully and effectively as possible. The seven countries which make up the SIS are Tuvalu, Cook Islands, Nauru, Niue, Marshall Islands, Kiribati and Palau.