February 9th, 2016 – The Pacific Island Development Forum officially became the regional multi stakeholder forum for leaders of governments, private sector and civil society after the Pacific Island Private Sector Organisation signed the PIDF Charter yesterday.
Representing the 15 national private sector organisations of the Pacific, PIPSO Vice President Mr. Howard Politini stated that the joint collaboration is important for the betterment of the Pacific countries and the lives of the communities. “It is important that we all work together as it not only recognises the significant of stakeholders’ interest in national and regional developments but it also promotes accountability, transparency and good governance” he said. Mr. Politini reaffirms that PIPSO is ready to provide its support to PIDF in establishing the National Sustainable Board at country level on the inclusion of private sectors.
The Pacific Islands Development Forum Charter which was approved at the 3rd PIDF Summit of Leaders (PIDF 3) last year in Suva provided the organisational blueprint, launching it as an international organisation. PIDF Secretary General, Mr. François Martel stated that in signing the Charter, PIPSO is committing to work in cooperation with other partners to provide an enabling environment for Green Blue Pacific economies and affirming the Pacific spirituality as a foundation of nurturing and building resilience in our Pacific communities.
Following the signing of the Charter, the PIPSO and the Pacific Islands Association of Non Governmental Association flags were raised over PIDF’s Secretariat compound. PIANGO is one of the early signatories of the PIDF Charter and member. PIANGO Executive Director, Ms. Emele Duituturaga stated, “we believe in the distinctive representation of the civil society, PIANGO signing up with PIDF is not exclusively for the PIANGO network but also to facilitate the civil society decision making at the table”.
Among those that came to witness this auspicious event were representatives from the Fiji Government, diplomatic communities and international organisations. PIDF Secretary General Mr. Martel called on all members to continue to work together to realize the aspirations, the hope and the dreams that the flags carries.
PIDF now has 10 members: Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, Pacific Island Association of Non Governmental Organisation and Pacific Island Private Sector Organisation.
