23 January 2013: The Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS) has announced the team of Pacific experts tasked with conducting an independent review of the Pacific Plan for Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Integration. According to PIFS, the review team already has initiated national consultations on the Pacific Plan.

The Pacific Plan serves as a framework to guide the work of national governments, regional agencies and development partners in support of national action by PIFS member states. Endorsed by PIFS leaders in October 2005, the Plan is a living document subject to periodic review, with the first review carried out in 2009.

The 2013 review will evaluate the Pacific Plan’s effectiveness since its inception, and recommend future directions. The review also will assess opportunities for aligning the Pacific Plan with the post-2015 global development agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

PIFS nominated Sir Mekere Morauta, Papua New Guinea, to lead the 2013 Pacific Plan Review. Peseta Noumea Simi, Samoa; Redley Killion, Federated States of Micronesia; and international consultants Nick Poletti, New Zealand, and Peter Bazeley, UK are additional review team members.

The review team is conducting country consultations across the Pacific from now through May 2013, and will present preliminary findings at a mid-year meeting of the Pacific Plan Action Committee (PPAC). A second round of consultation is scheduled for June-July, and the final report will be presented at PIFS’ annual meeting in September 2013. All stakeholders can send submissions to the review team through the Pacific Plan Review website. [PIFS Press Release, 23 November 2012] [PIFS Press Release, 23 January 2013] [Pacific Plan Review Website] [IISD RS Story on Review Portal]