2 September 2011: The UN’s Asia Group, one of the five regional groupings of member States, has changed its name to the “Asia and the Pacific Small Island Development States Group,” or “Asia-Pacific Group.” The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) has commended the UN for this decision, which recognizes Pacific Island countries.

According to SPREP, although Pacific countries make up more than one-fifth of the membership of the Asia Group, the “Asia Group” name effectively subsumed Pacific small island developing States (SIDS). SPREP says the official change of name indicates the growing recognition of the Pacific region in the UN. [SPREP Press Release]