The five issues are:
- increased returns on fisheries
- action on climate change
- alleged human rights issues within West Papua
- cervical cancer
- information and communications technology (ICT)
SG Taylor elaborated on the five topics for the CSO Forum:
"...on the five priority issues that Leaders will discuss and which will be the subject of your discussions over the next two days.
The first issue is increased returns on fisheries. Maximising revenue from our fisheries is of course a potential game-changer. The estimated value of the catch per year being around 3-4 billion US dollars, but much of this catch is processed outside of our region. The essence of this initiative is that Leaders agree to restructuring the tuna industry to achieve this end. The other aspect to this initiative is that Leaders task Fisheries, Economic and Foreign Ministers to undertake a joint comprehensive evaluation of the regional monitoring, surveillance and compliance regime.
The issue around climate change contains two elements. The first is that Leaders agree on a high level, political statement on climate change to take to COP 21 in Paris later this year. The second component is that Leaders endorse a draft strategy on Climate and Disaster Resilient Development in the Pacific.
A response to alleged human rights issues within West Papua will also be put to Leaders for consideration. Three submissions, representing over 30 civil society organisations across the Pacific were put forward. In terms of the correct nomenclature, it is important to point out that West Papua is the language used by those who made the submissions on this issue. Needless to say, this is likely to be one of the more contentious issues on the agenda.
Leaders will also consider cervical cancer. Last week the PNG Medical symposium took place here in Port Moresby. My friend Dr Glen Mola tells me that a priority conversation across the week has been the need for an effective national screening and a HPV vaccination programme to treat cervical cancer in PNG. Research indicates that this is not a unique situation. Women and their families across the region are experiencing pain, suffering and premature deaths at the hands of an illness that could be prevented. There have already been positive outcomes in addressing cervical cancer in Fiji, and there are lessons here that can be applied in other countries in the Pacific.
The last issue to be put to Leaders is Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Like the return on fisheries, ICT has the potential to transform our region. We already see the profound effects that mobile phones have had in the Pacific. There are educational, economic, health, disaster management, as well as communications benefits that can be realised if the proper ICT infrastructure is put in place.
ENDS