Focusing on the year ahead
p. 29 · Read in the full issue
IT’S kind of hard to accept that, given a few more weeks, we will have stepped out of 1992 and into 1993. But it is true. The festive season is just around the corner.
This had been a rather remark able year. It is a remarkable year
of unprecedented changes some
better, some for worse.
It was remarkable for a number of reasons. On a global scale, there have been unthinkable changes.
Take, for instance, the decimation of communism, the decision by France to suspend its much opposed nuclear testing program in the South Pacific.
These would have been almost unthinkable, say a few short years ago. But it did happen.
After 26 years of nuclear testing in the Pacific, Paris decided on a temporary halt until the end of this year with an undertaking that if other nuclear testing countries followed its lead, France would extend its moratorium.
The United States government has since joined France in what could culminate in a global treaty banning nuclear testing. President George Bush this year signed into law legislation limiting nuclear testing and that future nuclear tests by the US are dependent on actions of other nuclear powers.
On the downside, people are suffering and dying endlessly on the African continent and in what used to be Yugoslavia in eastern Europe due to ethnic rivalries. The list goes on.
We, in the South Pacific consider ourselves rather fortunate in many ways. Apart from hiccups here and there, our shores have been relatively trouble-free since World War 11.
Institutionally, regional organisations have been strategically established to deal with some of the pressing problems associated with economic development, trade and so on thanks to the foresight and wisdom of the region’s statesmen.
But whether we in the South Pacific like it or not, we are part of the revolution sweeping the world as people demand change in the quest to do better for themselves, their children and for future generations.
These “people revolutions”, present not only an oppor tunity to reflect on the deeds of the past, but on how new opportunities and challenges can be dealt with.
One of the challenges facing Pacific people and leaders is how the untapped resources of the South Pacific can be harnessed to best serve the interests of the region. And perhaps, how the shrinking aid dollar can be best used to achieve maximum results.
The Secretary General of the South Pacific Forum Secretariat, Hon leremia Tabai, touched on this in a statement to the recent Forum Official’s Committee’s 1993 Work Programme/Budget in Suva.
“As I have been saying since assuming this post, I am particularly interested in establishing how the Secretariat can best serve the interests of our member governments.
“And in this context, of major concern has been to ensure that we are strategic in what we do and that we use our resources effectively,” Tabai said.
The Secretary General also cautioned against too rapid an expansion.
“..in keeping with what I said in Honiara (the venue of the 23rd Forum), the Secretariat believes this is not a time for expansion but consolidation and that is reflected in the budget which in aggregate terms is below the real level of 1992.
“Our interest is in doing our existing job well, rather than growing,” Tabai told committee members.
The Secretariat’s 1993 core (regular) budget of $F2,512,000 reflects an increase of just over four per cent in nominal terms over the previous year, but when inflation is taken into account, there has been no real increase in the last five years.
The extra budget to fund the
Secretariat’s 1993 work program and activities rose by 31.1 per cent in nominal terms to F 58,831,000 compared with last
year’s figure.
An additional $2,084,000 has been set aside in this budget for the Secretariat’s new conference centre to be funded by a private Japanese donor.
The Secretary-General has assured member governments the Secretariat can continue to deliver its comprehensive work program for next year.
The Secretariat’s extra budget is funded each year by contributions from donor countries including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, France and agencies such as the European
Community (EC) through its Lome programs.
According to the Secretary General, two dominant themes have been establishing a more strategic approach to the Secretariat’s activities and formulating the most effective linkages within the region and with the broader international community.
One area of priority for improved linkages in the region next year is the flow of information on the Secretariat’s activities and opportunities for involvement (by Forum Island Countries) in its programs. Relevant Secretariat divisions will continue to make direct contacts with their counterparts in individual island member countries to “sell” the Secretariat’s programs and activities next year. This will be followed up with senior level visits to member govern ments.
Tabai, who has undertaken official visits to member governments in the region since taking up his appointment last February, said, “... I think travel throughout the region is very important for the Secretariat we must know what the concerns of our governments are.”
Tabai has also held top level talks in Asia, Canada, Europe and the United States of America to keep abreast of the global roller-coaster changes.
“As well, we find more and more, there are demands for us to know about what is happening on the global scene to ensure that our region can respond to change and receive the most effective support from its major partners in development of the region,” he said.
Well, it’s probably fitting to say adieu to 1992. It has been a great year, but we expect 1993 to be even better. The Forum Secretariat’s services and resources will continue to be available to member governments.
Have a well-deserved Christmas/New Year break.