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Ambassador Gallen chairs Forum working committee

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (FSM Information Service): August 15, 2003 - Ambassador Kodaro M. Gallen, of the Federated States of Micronesia, chaired this year's Forum Officials Committee (FOC) - the nucleus of the Pacific Islands Forum.

Ambassador Gallen, who has been the FSM's representative to the Pacific Region for the past four years, opened and chaired what is known as the main working committee of the Pacific Islands Forum, commonly referred to as "the FOC."

The FOC meeting deliberates on and summarizes the outcomes of the various sectors of the Forum meeting since the last annual meeting of the Leaders, this includes the following Forum Ministerial meetings:

• Forum Aviation Ministers;
• Forum Economic Ministers;
• Forum Education Ministers;
• Forum Trade Ministers;
• Forum Foreign Affairs Ministers, and
• various Forum hosted regional issues requiring Leaders decision.

The FOC then recommends key issues for priority consideration by the Leaders along with recommendations to be considered during the Forum Leaders' meeting.

Other updates for the Leaders include:

• report by the Chair of the Council of Regional Organizations of the Pacific (CROP);

• Implementation of the Nasonini Declaration or Regional Security;

• Transnational Organized Crime, Border Security and Law Enforcement;

• Weapons Control Legislation;

• Draft Forum Principles of Good Leadership;

• HIV/AIDS - Progress Report;

• Environmental issues;

• Shipment of Radioactive Materials; and

• Sustainable Development (Barbados +10).

The Leaders will then consider the recommendations submitted by the Chairman of the FOC and iron out issues or areas of concern during the Leadership retreat on Friday August 15. They decide on the collective direction for the region for the upcoming year and issue their decision in the form of a Communiqué at the closing of the 34th Pacific Islands Forum.