Pacific Islands Forum Meeting in Fiji next week

The 37th Pacific Islands Forum Meeting will be held in Fiji next week. Trade and security matters will top the agenda at the meeting, according to Fiji's Foreign Affairs Ministry.

The Ministry said that the issues were part of the Pacific Plan program which is the main issue to be discussed.

Other issues will include :

• the Oceans policy;
• other social issues;
• SPARTECA (South Pacific Regional Trade & Economic Agreement);
• RAMSI (Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands); and
• technology.

Commonwealth Secretary-General, Don McKinnon, will also attend the meeting. He is expected to hold talks with Commonwealth Pacific leaders and the Forum Secretariat on a wide range of issues including ongoing technical aid programs and further assistance for the implementation of the Pacific Plan.