by Jack Lapauve Jr, EMTV – Port Moresby
Fifteen Pacific Island nations have pledged to strengthen the cooperation in preparing for and responding to natural disasters in the region.
This came about at the closing of the 2 day Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting in Sydney, Australia recently.
The foreign ministers have also committed to strengthening Pacific-based disaster management experts to assist with nationally-led planning and response efforts.
This will see coordinated responses by improving pre-positioning of emergency supplies and investing in multi hazard systems.
They also identify ways to effectively work with the private sector by re-establishing telecommunications and assisting in the provision of food and logistics to supporting the rapid recovery of markets.
Foreign Ministers play an important role in advancing forum members’ interests and they propose to convene annually to consider the broad range of regional and international issues facing the Pacific Islands.
The 2 day forum was an opportunity for leaders to share ideas and find a way forward for the region.
