Forum summit gets under way in Majuro

The opening of the 44^th Pacific Islands Forum gets underway in tense atmosphere, as Pacific leaders seek global action on climate change from big polluters. Fiji’s re-admission into the Forum will also feature prominently with the release of their new constitution last month. The Forum’s deputy Secretary General Feleti Teo says with the progress made by Fiji so far, leaders will need to determine whether they should invite Fiji back now, or wait until the proposed 2014 elections. And it appears the two key players – Australia and New Zealand are happy with those progresses being made. NZ in particular have been “reluctant” to be critical. According to radio Australia’s Sean Dorney, leaders of the Small Island States are holding their meeting today while the Forum proper begins in the afternoon.

This article was written by

Kiery Manassah

URBAN HYMNS

DP18 – Urbanisation needs to be seen and managed as a national priority, while a new mindset is required that can look positively at the urban process.
ADB MEMBERSHIP FEES

DP07- Why increasing the cost of ADB membership matters for Pacific island countries.
MICRONESIAN EXODUS

DP16 – Micronesia has the highest per capita net emigration rates in the world. But their governments can do more to balance the outflow of migrants by investing in education and growing the local economy at home.

IN PICTURES

In a historic presentation, West Papuan leaders representing their newly unified movement, have applied for membership of the MSG. Dan McGarry captures the ceremony in a photo essay.
FOB PATROL AND A RAPPING MEDIC

Ben Bohane goes to Helmand province in southern Afghanistan, stepping outside the wire with more Micronesian troops and finding a medic who “raps” his mission in song.
URUZGAN WANTOKS

Leaving the Guam Battalion behind for a few days, Ben Bohane finds Melanesian soldiers operating with the Australians in Uruzgan province.