The Pacific Plan (click here to download) proposes a new and innovative approach to the unique challenges that Pacific Island Countries face through a framework of greater regional cooperation and integration.

Central to the Pacific Plan are a number of ‘initiatives’ that have been identified as a way to progress development across the region. While these initiatives overlap to varying degrees, they have been developed around four ‘pillars.’ Each pillar: economic growth; sustainable development; good governance; and security, represents in many respects the key areas (and challenges) that the Pacific as a region must work to address should it be able to raise living standards, increase access to opportunity and stimulate pro-poor growth for the peoples of the Pacific.

While the Pacific Plan proposes a regional response to the challenges that Pacific Island Countries face, it does not endeavour to promote a ‘one-size-fits-all’ model of regional cooperation, nor work to limit the ability of countries in the region to pursue their own nationally based policies.

The Pacific Plan was endorsed by Forum Leaders at their Pacific Islands Forum Meeting in Port Moresby, October 2005. As a ‘living document’ it now forms the basis of ongoing strengthening of regional cooperation and integration efforts for the benefit of the people of the Pacific. At the regional level, implementation of the Pacific Plan is, in the first instance, the responsibility of 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, coordination and assistance in implementing their decisions.

Pacific Plan Action Committee (PPAC)

Policy oversight and guidance to the Secretariat is provided by the Pacific Plan Action Committee (PPAC), chaired by the Forum Chair and comprising representatives of all Pacific Island Forum Countries and Territories, and Heads of CROP Agencies. The Forum Chair (as Chair of PPAC), reports to Leaders on the implementation of the Plan on an annual basis, focusing on the benefits and outcomes for Pacific countries. A small implementation unit, reporting directly to the Deputy Secretary General, is established in the Secretariat to support the PPAC and coordinate implementation and reporting on the Plan.