Regional civil society leaders meet in Suva over the next three days to discuss and agree on common positions for effective engagement on regional priorities affecting Pacific islanders.
The three-day forum that runs until August 2 at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat brings together close to forty (40) participants from Fiji and across the Pacific.
The Forum provides an opportunity for civil society leaders to discuss and strategise common positions for effective engagement and advocacy with Pacific Ministers and Leaders in the upcoming Forum meetings, towards the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum and Related Meetings in the Cook Islands, in November. It will support an increased understanding of the 2050 Strategy, regional economic issues, gender equality and social inclusion amongst other key regional priorities.
Acting Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Dr Filimon Manoni reaffirmed the importance of engaging Pacific civil society to ensure that the voices and positions of all Pacific people were reflected in key regional policies under development.
“Civil society organisations are recognised by our Forum leaders as a key stakeholder in sustainable development and are an increasingly integral part of Forum processes, he said, “We welcome the unique voice and role of civil society engagement across our upcoming Economic Ministerial and Women Leaders meetings and appreciate the ownership and influence their voices bring to regional policy development and decision-making.”
