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September 04, 2006
Statement by H.E. President Kessai H. Note 1st Taiwan – Pacific Allies Summit
Koror, Republic of Palau
4 September 2006
His Excellency President Remengesau, His Excellency President Chen, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure to be here today on behalf of the People and Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands at this inaugural Taiwan-Pacific Allies Summit. I also welcome the opportunity both to discuss issues of common interests to all of us here, as well as the time granted to me to share some thoughts of the situation in the Pacific Islands Forum Region.
I will begin by saying that the Pacific Island Forum member countries have come a long way to where they are today. Despite the many challenges we have faced in the development aspirations of our peoples and countries, we as a region have made - and continue to make - significant strides in our efforts to achieve sustainable development both at the national and regional level, as well as in the international arena. With this premise, it is my fervent conviction that our discussions today, and the decisions and actions we take will lead us in the same direction of greater achievement and prosperity. Today as we join hands with our regional partner and friend—The Republic of China (Taiwan)—and embark on a new venture of regional cooperation I am confident that much can be achieved.
While recognizing the constraints imposed on our island countries by our smallness – small populations and small domestic markets – combined with remote and dispersed locations, limited resource endowments, and frequent natural disasters and other vulnerabilities, we are custodians of the largest, most peaceful and abundant ocean. The Pacific Islands Forum Member countries ocean stores some of the region’s most valuable resources, including the world’s largest tuna fisheries and extensive marine biodiversity. The environment and eco-system of our small islands remains one of the most pristine throughout the entire globe.
As we face the emerging and new challenges brought on by globalization, we continue to look for creative and farsighted ideas and arrangements to meet and adapt to these various challenges. The nature of external forces and influence of globalization and geo-political is having a great impact on the Pacific Islands Forum member countries in the region, in particular as we continue to seek a comfortable level of sustainable development. Some of these forces and influences come from the world’s fastest growing economies - our neighbors in the Asia region. Today, many of our Pacific Islands Forum Member countries are faced with issues of high energy costs, illegal migration, contagious disease and influenza, money laundering, etc.
Our development partner, Taiwan, has averaged over 5% growth per year for some time now. Its democratic reform has transformed the nation into one of the world’s most vibrant economies and leading technology industry, with a highly educated population. Mindful of Taiwan’s commendable achievements, we stand ready to engage in fruitful discussions that will ultimately culminate in enhanced partnerships for the overall mutual development of our nations.
In 2004, the Forum Leaders decided to create a Plan for strengthening regional cooperation and integration, commonly referred to as The Pacific Plan. A Vision where Leaders believe that the Pacific region should and will be “a region of peace, harmony, security and economic prosperity” and “…a Pacific region that is respected for the quality of its governance, the sustainable management of its resources, the full observance of democratic values, and for its defense and promotion of human rights”.
The Pacific Plan and the Kalibobo Roadmap endorsed by Leaders in October 2005, highlighted economic growth, sustainable development, good governance and security as key priorities areas. It is our conviction and aim that the Plan should address the most significant challenges facing this region in ways that add value to the existing national and regional capacities.
The successful implementation of the Pacific Plan is dependent on the support and commitment of member countries, regional organizations, development partners, and a range of stakeholders. As stronger regional cooperation and integration is a means to support national development objectives, we are optimistic that the Pacific Plan will provide a useful framework and reference to the Republic of China (Taiwan) to support demand driven priorities and locally-owned policies and institutions in coordination with, and complementary to, other development partners.
While regional collaboration has served the region well, Forum Leaders have recognized that it needs to be further enhanced to meet current and new challenges. Today, and as stated earlier, major concerns in the area of economic development include negative or low growth and resource depletion. In social development there are serious concerns over rising poverty, declining health and education standards and facilities, and other equity issues. There are also major environmental issues relating to pollution, waste management, loss of biodiversity, and natural disasters. And in governance and security the major challenges are around institutional deficiencies, poor resource management, political instability, inequalities and other human security concerns such as the current energy fuel crisis, which is affecting all of our countries’ overall development.
Excellencies, having touched on the major concerns and challenges to our region, I am hopeful that the decisions and actions we agree to make today in our first Summit meeting will pave the direction to further improve our regional and bilateral partnerships.
Thank you.
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