Former envoy queries new group

 A FORMER envoy to the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu has questioned the formation of another regional organisation – the Pacific Islands Development Forum.

Brian Yombon-Copio said the proposed organisation’s main objective was to encourage sustainable economies among Pacific Islands nations. 

He warned that it only duplicated the functions of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). 

“The PIF serves as an umbrella organisation and, under it, there are various sector organisations such as the Forum Fisheries Agency and the Climate Office that are capable of dealing with specific issues,”  Yombon-Copio said.

He said PNG must rationalise the primary motive for the formation of the organisation before supporting it. 

“Someone may have issues with the PIF in which Australia and New Zealand have strong representation, and PNG cannot go too low to support the duplication of functions to frustrate its major economic partners.

“In recent times, the MSG has acquired additional responsibilities, increasing its core functions to complement the functions of the PIF.”

Yombon-Copio said some of the contemporary issues such as climate change, people smuggling, illegal supply of tuna, illegal fishing and liberalising smaller economies were being dealt with by the MSG.

He said PNG must demonstrate leadership within the region and cannot be lured into agreeing for the formation of another regional bloc for the convenience of a particular island nation. 

“Pacific Island countries have the potential to grow their economies and they must strengthen the partnership engagement with the developed economies of the Pacific which include Australia and New Zealand.