Pacific transport ministers endorse Framework for Action

SPC press release

Pacific transport ministers endorse Framework for Action on Transport Services

Thursday 7 April 2011, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) headquarters, Noumea, New Caledonia. A milestone for the region's transport sector was achieved when Pacific transport ministers endorsed the Framework for Action on Transport Services (FATS) at in their meeting this week.

The transport ministers' meeting was one segment of the Inaugural Regional Meeting of Ministers for Energy, ICT and Transport that was organised by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and held at its headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia from 4 - 8 April 2011.

The framework aims to enhance the social and economic well?being of people in the Pacific by supporting the efforts of Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) to work towards ensuring that all their people, at all times, have access to regular, safe and affordable air and sea transport services.

FATS was formulated in response to calls from Pacific Island Forum Leaders for improved coordination and delivery of safe, secure and competitive regional transport services. This was clearly articulated in the 2004 Forum Principles on Regional Transport Services. The framework is also supported by the Pacific Plan, which calls for a more coordinated approach to dealing with regional transport services in order to enhance economies of scale and effectiveness. And in May 2009, at their ministerial meeting in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, Pacific transport ministers recognised that internationally compliant transport services are imperative for economic growth and human development.

SPC's Economic Development Division coordinated the development of FATS through a series of technical consultation and regional meetings involving representatives from PICT governments, development partners, regional and national airlines/maritime companies, non?state actors and the private sector.

The transport ministers' meeting also noted that the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) intends to establish an MOU with SPC. An intergovernmental organisation of a consultative and technical nature, IHO comprises over 80 member states represented by their national hydrographic offices. The MOU will provide a platform for active liaison and cooperation between IHO and SPC to ensure the efficient and effective development and coordination of hydrographic and nautical charting programmes.

The recommendations will be reflected in the ministerial communiqu? which will be signed on Friday.

ENDS

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