18 October 2010: The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) convened a dialogue with non-state actors on the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus trade negotiations in Honiara, Solomon Islands, on 18 October. The dialogue allowed non-state actors to discuss the goals and objectives of a free trade agreement between Pacific island countries, Australia and New Zealand.

Representatives from non-governmental organizations as well as the private sector participated in the dialogue, and the agenda was developed in consultation with the Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO) and the Pacific Islands Association of Non-Government Organisations (PIANGO). Participants discussed the shared goal of ensuring that PACER Plus leads to increased economic development and prosperity in Pacific island countries. The dialogue also noted the need for PACER Plus to respond to the different development needs of each country, and to ensure that any agreement was implemented in a cautious and staged manner that provided national governments with the policy space needed to nurture local industry and employment.

Participants agreed that NSAs should engage deeply in consultations on PACER Plus, particularly at the national level. The need for increased resourcing, information dissemination and capacity development were highlighted. The dialogue agreed that PIANGO and PIPSO would continue to play a key role in PACER Plus discussions. [PIFS Press release]