PACIFIC Ministers have taken the first concrete step toward creating a regional mechanism to help member countries respond collectively to economic shocks, fuel costs and supply-chain pressures, with Australia and New Zealand signalling support for the effort.
The PIFS General Secretary, Baron Waqa, said the Special Session of the Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was about launching the structure rather than setting every detail.
“The regional mechanism, I think, that’s the purpose of this meeting, is to set it up.”
He added that ministers had discussed the issue but the forum had not reached the level of detail on issues such as pooled fuel procurement.
“We haven’t gone into quite the detail that you’re asking, but that’s the next step,” he said, describing the new body as a complement to national responses already underway.
Waqa said the mechanism would provide the region with a collective way to manage priorities and engage with external partners.
He said Australia and New Zealand had already shown full endorsement and commitment to assisting the Pacific in whatever way they can, including support for the mechanism’s technical work.
“It was clear from both of them that they endorse the regional approach,’’ Waqa said..
“There’ll be a lot that we will discuss in terms of how they will prioritise the issues that will be tabled before them.”
The new structure will be used to elevate politically sensitive issues to foreign ministers and, if needed, leaders later this year.
