WELLINGTON, Feb. 1 (Xinhuanet) -- Representatives of Pacific Islands Forum countries meet in Suva, Fiji this week to discuss the implementation of the Pacific Plan, a framework for regional cooperation and integration, endorsed by Forum Leaders last October, according to Secretariat of the Forum.

    "The Pacific Plan outlines the development goals of members, and the discussion will focus on the most effective ways of reaching those goals," said Forum Secretary General, Greg Urwin on Tuesday.

    The first meeting of the Pacific Plan Action Committee (PPAC) on Tuesday discussed national policies on regionalism, the value of partnerships and wide consultation, and a process to monitor and evaluate the ongoing work on the Plan.

    "The success of the Pacific Plan will depend on the support andcommitment of member countries and a wide range of stakeholders such as development partners," said Urwin.

    At the regional level, implementation of the Plan in the first instance will be supported mainly by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. This is consistent with the 2004 decision by Leaders that the primary functions of the Secretariat are to provide policy advice and coordination, while the actual implementation will largely be the province of other stakeholders such as regional organizations, development partners and civil society groups, he added.

    Political oversight and guidance to the Secretariat will be provided during the year by the PPAC, and overall implementation of Pacific Plan initiatives will be reviewed annually by Forum Leaders.

    An annual outcomes-oriented process with non-state-representatives from the business sector, academia, media and civil society organizations will be established. This is to provide a platform for wider debate and feedback to the Leaders through the Secretary General, Urwin said. Enditem