PACER Plus Workshop Empowers Pacific Countries in Revenue Mobilisation
NADI, Fiji – The Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU) is currently hosting a three-day Dialogue for Revenue Mobilisation for PACER Plus parties in Nadi, Fiji. The event, which started today 27 February, will conclude on 29 February. This regional initiative targets the customs and tax administrations of PACER Plus parties and signatories, including Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. The dialogue is a collaborative effort with key partners, including the Pacific Financial Technical Assistance Centre (PFTAC), the Pacific Islands Tax Administrators Association (PITAA), and the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO). Participants at the PACER Plus Dialogue for Revenue Mobilisation in Nadi, Fiji. The primary focus of the dialogue is on capacity building, empowering officials to effectively manage revenues. Mr. Alipate Tavo, PPIU Trade Adviser, highlighted the significance of this workshop, stating, “This talanoa is a unique opportunity to enhance the capacity of our officials, equipping them with the skills needed to navigate the evolving economic landscape and promote sustainable growth in the Pacific.” The dialogue serves as a platform for knowledge sharing on best practices for tax regimes and revenue administration. It encourages strategic planning, fostering discussions on short-term actions and long-term structural reforms to enhance revenue administration and collection. Illustrating the commitment to regional collaboration, the dialogue aligns with PACER Plus’s overarching goal of increasing trade in the region. By engaging with key partners, it strengthens regional cooperation in improving tax regimes and ensuring the sustainable economic growth of Pacific Island countries. The outcomes of the dialogue extend beyond immediate capacity building. Improved regulatory and policy reforms are anticipated, supporting Rules of Origin (ROO) obligations and tariff commitments. -END- More articles like this one
Outcomes Document on the 2023 PLMAM Reflects Significant Progress and Collaboration
PORT VILA, Vanuatu – The 2023 Pacific Labour Mobility Annual Meeting (PLMAM), held in Port Vila, Vanuatu, from 20-24 November 2023, marked a milestone in the cooperative efforts of Pacific labour mobility stakeholders, resulting in a comprehensive Outcomes Document that outlines crucial decisions and initiatives for the region. Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Hon. Charlot Salwai (seated, second from right) with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Matai Seremaiah (seated, far right), Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. Rick Tchamako (seated, far left) with members of the diplomatic corps and PLMAM 2023 participants from Vanuatu and the region. Government officials from Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Timor Leste, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu participated in the five-day proceedings. Additionally, attendees included labour mobility workers, Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) and Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) schemes employers, industry representatives, trade unions, private sector, academia, civil society, and representatives from regional and international organisations. Key highlights from the Outcome Document include: 1. PLMAM 2023 identified the following as priority areas for action: Develop Pacific Guidelines for Sustainable Reintegration. Acknowledge the commitments from employers outlined in the Employer Forum Outcomes and support coordination towards those commitments including facilitating greater direct engagement between employers and Labour Sending Units (LSUs). Develop recommendations to establish minimum standards to protect and improve worker earnings including review of recruitment-related costs and deductions. Develop recommendations to improve worker access to social services and social protection, and increase flexibility to change employers. Review options for improving accommodation with particular consideration of privacy. Develop options for a rating system for employers in Australia and New Zealand. Support inclusion of Unions in labour mobility forums and programmes. 2. Good Labour Mobility GovernancePLMAM 2023 recognised the importance of ensuring good labour mobility governance in the Pacific. Based on a reference paper presented by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), participants recognised the importance of guidelines on good labour mobility governance to ensure that bilateral and national labour mobility arrangements promote good governance. 3. Pacific Labour Mobility OpportunitiesPLMAM recognised the developments in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) and the New Zealand Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) schemes. It acknowledged the ‘next generation’ approach to the review of New Zealand’s labour mobility programmes with a focus on development, skills and training opportunities, circular opportunities, worker well-being, maximising benefits and mitigation of negative impacts on communities and collective regional responsibility. It also welcomed Australia’s AUD440 million investment to improve the PALM scheme to deliver on its key objectives of recognising the mutual interest of all participants, supporting the wellbeing of workers and upholding their workplace rights and protections, addressing workforce shortages in Australia when Australian workers are unavailable, and supporting the economic growth of participating countries through employment creation and skills development. The meeting also welcomed the new labour mobility opportunities to Cook Islands and Niue and acknowledged that the relatively higher minimum wage and skills development opportunities in these labour receiving countries exist as key incentives to facilitate intra-Pacific labour mobility. 4. Implementation Roadmap for Pacific Remittance Data CollectionThe PLMAM approved an Implementation Roadmap for Pacific Remittance Data Collection, emphasising the importance of addressing constraints to remittances data for Pacific economies. This work will be led by the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU) commencing from FY2024/25. The document can be accessed here. 5. Regional Labour Mobility InitiativesPLMAM 2023 noted the 2023 Pacific Forum Leaders Meeting directive for the development of Regional Labour Mobility Principles and encouraged the use of existing mechanisms and forums to undertake wide consultations to inform the development of the Principles. It also emphasised the importance of improved collaboration between the PPIU and the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS) to ensure complementarity in their labour mobility initiatives and support to countries. The meeting also welcomed and approved the offer by the Australian government to host the 2024 PLMAM. The PLMAM Outcomes Document informs the labour mobility work programme of the PPIU and its partnerships with key labour mobility regional stakeholders. This linkage ensures that the outcomes from PLMAM are effectively implemented and that tangible outcomes are delivered to increase the development benefits of labour mobility in Pacific countries. The full 2023 PLMAM Outcomes Document can be accessed on the link below. Outcomes Document – 2023 Pacific Labour Mobility Annual Meeting -END- More articles like this one
PACER Plus Trade in Services Workshop Fuels Capacity Development in the Region
SUVA, Fiji – The PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU) in collaboration with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) successfully conducted the Pacific Regional Advanced Trade in Services (TIS) and Project Proposal Workshop from 16-19 January 2024, in Suva, Fiji. This event marks a pivotal point in advancing regional cooperation and empowering Pacific nations to navigate the complexities of services trade. The workshop builds on the foundation of the PPIU’s Introductory TIS Workshop in Samoa in May 2023, and the Pacific Regional Introductory TIS Workshop and Proposal Clinic in Suva in September 2023. Regional participants attend the PACER Plus Advanced Pacific Regional Trade in Services and Project Proposal Workshop in Suva, Fiji. Ms. Olivia Phongkham, PPIU’s Trade in Services and Investment Adviser, expressed enthusiasm about the workshops impact. “This workshop is an exciting event for Pacific Island Countries to maximise the opportunities services trade and investment provides the region. It also allows participants to share their experiences and knowledge with other countries, so that they can learn from each other and help build a community of practice. The discussions on scheduled commitments and digitally enabled services provide valuable insights for our ongoing efforts in the Pacific,” she said. The objective of the Advanced Pacific Regional TIS Workshop is to increase the participants’ understanding of, and capacity to negotiate and implement, Services commitments under PACER Plus and International Trade Agreements. In addition, participants further developed their skills in drafting and finalising bankable project proposals on trade in services, e-commerce, and investment for PACER Plus and international organisations. Mr. Shaheen Ali, Permanent Secretary to the Fijian Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs, and Communications. Mr. Shaheen Ali, Permanent Secretary to the Fijian Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs, and Communications, emphasised the significance of the initiative. “To grow our trade in services, our private sector needs secure, consistent, and guaranteed access to markets in our region and beyond. Regional and bilateral trade agreements will play an important role in extending the services export market of the Pacific and the world,” he said. Mr. Andrew Shepherd, Acting Deputy High Commissioner at the Australian High Commission in Fiji, highlighted the collaborative efforts involved, saying, “Australia values its partnership with Pacific nations in trade development. The success of this workshop reflects the shared commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity in the region.” Following the successful conclusion of this workshop, there are tentative plans to run another event later in 2024. -END- More articles like this one
PACER Plus Parties Emphasise Regional Economic Integration at the 2023 Forum Trade Ministers Meeting
SUVA, Fiji – The 2023 Forum Trade Ministers Meeting (FTMM) convened on 6 October 2023 in Suva, Fiji where delegates engaged in discussions on key priorities that will shape the future of trade and investment in the region. (L-R) Ms. Sovaia Marawa, Melaneasian Spearhead Group Secretariat; Mr. Esala Nayasi, Pacific Islands Forum’s Deputy Secretary General; Mrs. Laisiana Tugaga, PPIU’s Operations and Secretariat Manager; H.E. Ambassador Mere Falemaka, Permanent Delegation of the Pacific Islands Forum to the United Nations, World Trade Organisation. The meeting was chaired by the Cook Islands, and attended by PACER Plus Parties Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu as well as the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, and Marshall Islands. Key priorities discussed during the meeting included the current Regional Trade and Investment Landscape, the implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, the Pacific Aid for Trade Strategy, private sector development priorities, and labour mobility. Representatives from the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus) Parties emphasised the pivotal role of PACER Plus as a mechanism for regional economic integration. The discussions underscored the commitment to principles of regionalism and sustainable socio-economic development, highlighting the importance of collaboration among Pacific nations. The 2023 FTMM recognised the need for alignment across regional frameworks to increase efficiency gains and enhance development returns to member countries. Participants acknowledged the significance of fostering cooperation and solidarity in addressing shared challenges and pursing common goals for the Pacific. Mrs. Laisiana Tugaga, Operations and Secretariat Manager of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU) stated, “The 2023 FTMM provided a valuable platform for PACER Plus Parties to strengthen their commitment to regional economic integration. The discussions reflected a shared vision for the sustainable development of the Pacific, and the PACER Plus Implementation Unit is eager to work collaboratively with the Pacific Islands Forum on common initiatives for the region.” -END- More articles like this one
PACER Plus Empowers Pacific Economies Through E-Commerce Initiatives
Ms. Olivia Phongkham, the Trade in Services and Investment Adviser with the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU), shared insights on PACER Plus and its e-commerce initiatives at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) E-Commerce Week in Geneva, Switzerland. Ms. Phongkham’s presentation emphasised the transformative potential of e-commerce, digital trade, and the broader digital economy in accelerating economic recovery, fostering resilience, and promoting inclusive development in Pacific Island Countries. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the pivotal role of technology in enabling businesses to sustain trade operations. E-commerce is a vital tool for businesses, enabling them to surmount physical and economic challenges, foster diversification in goods and services, and enhance market access. Digital and ICT technologies empower micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises and women entrepreneurs to connect with global customers, improve communication within the global and regional value chains, access government e-services, information, and online business training. PPIU’s Trade in Services and Investment Adviser, Ms. Olivia Phongkham (far right), joins other partners on a panel to speak on “Enhancing the Transition from Offline to Online for Small Businesses in the Pacific” at the UNCTAD E-Commerce Week in Geneva. Despite its immense potential, Pacific Island Countries encounter challenges such as weak infrastructure, limited inclusive access to ICT and finance, policy and regulatory gaps, skills shortages, and inefficient trade facilitation. The PACER Plus AUD$25 million Development and Economic Cooperation (DEC) work program aims to address these constraints and bolster regional economic integration and connectivity. The PACER Plus Implementation Unit is actively engaged in collaborative efforts with partner governments, private sectors, and development partners to enhance capacity in the e-commerce sphere. The PACER Plus E-Commerce activities for the financial year 2022-23 include: Cook Islands: Conducted an e-commerce regulatory gap analysis in 2022 and launched the E-Commerce Acceleration Work Plan in September 2023. Kiribati: Validated Kiribati’s E-Commerce Policy in January 2023 through a national consultation involving 47 participants. Samoa: Launched Samoa’s National E-Commerce Strategy in September 2023 in the islands of Upolu and Savai’i. Tuvalu: Undertook an assessment and options analysis for expanding the payment ecosystem for e-commerce in Tuvalu in May 2023. Regional: Collaborated with the Asian Development Bank on a Regional Workshop on Cross Border E-Commerce in in September 2022. Regional: Supported the development and rollout of E-Commerce Business Toolkits to strengthen the start-up ecosystem for MSMEs E-Commerce business ventures in Niue, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu in November 2023. E-commerce and digital trade are pivotal areas for PACER Plus countries to collaborate with regional and global development partners, fostering productivity, entrepreneurship, innovation, job creation, and access to new markets. PACER Plus is committed to supporting stable, secure, and prosperous Pacific economies through deeper regional economic integration, support diversification and access to new trade opportunities. -END- More articles like this one
Seventh Pacific Annual Labour Mobility Meeting Taking Regional Labour Mobility Cooperation to the Next Level
PORT VILA, Vanuatu – The Government of Vanuatu successfully hosted the seventh Pacific Labour Mobility Annual Meeting (PLMAM) from 20-24 November 2023, bringing together nearly 350 delegates from across the Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, and Timor Leste. The PLMAM serves as a crucial platform for increasing regional labour mobility cooperation on labour mobility priorities in the region and is a key initiative under the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus Arrangement on Labour Mobility. PLMAM 2023 has taken the regional forum to a new level of inclusivity, attracting more stakeholders than ever before, including workers, employers, trade unions, private sector, civil society, and government officials. This year’s meeting was convened under the theme “Harnessing the Development Benefits of Labour Mobility” reflecting the commitment of participating nations to explore avenues for maximising the positive impact of labour mobility on the economic and social development of the region. Ms. Murielle Meltenoven, Commissioner of Labour with Vanuatu’s Department of Labour and Employment Services, expressed enthusiasm about the outcomes of the PLMAM 2023, stating, “The seventh Pacific Annual Labour Mobility Meeting has been a success, fostering collaboration among nations to harness the development benefits of labour mobility. The discussions and initiatives unveiled during the meeting will contribute significantly to the prosperity and growth of our region.” The meeting addressed a wide range of issues, including measures to enhance the impact of return migration and reintegration in Pacific economies and societies, improving worker welfare and wellbeing, and improving the effectiveness of the Arrangement on Labour Mobility (ALM). The PLMAM 2023 also featured an Employer Forum where employers have made strong commitments to supporting the success of Pacific labour mobility schemes and its contribution to sustainable development in the Pacific. Mr. Roy Lagolago, Head of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit and Labour Mobility Secretariat, emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts: “Labour mobility is a powerful driver of economic development in the Pacific. The PLMAM serves as a vital forum to strengthen partnerships, share best practices, and explore innovative solutions. The commitment demonstrated by all participants reinforces the shared vision of advancing regional prosperity through responsible and sustainable labour mobility.” Mr. Lagolago also expressed his gratitude to the Approved Employers for their commitment to fostering labour mobility in the Pacific. “The inaugural Employer Forum during the PLMAM 2023 was a significant milestone, highlighting the collaborative efforts of our Approved Employers from Australia and New Zealand,” he said. Australia has been announced as the host for the next PLMAM in 2024. The PLMAM is funded by the Governments of Australia and New Zealand, with facilitation provided by the PACER Plus Implementation Unit, in its role as the Labour Mobility Secretariat. -END- More articles like this one
Pacific Labour Mobility Annual Meeting Officially Opens in Vanuatu
PORT VILA, Vanuatu – The Pacific Labour Mobility Annual Meeting (PLMAM) 2023 was officially opened today in Port Vila, Vanuatu by the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Hon. Charlot Salwai. PLMAM is the preeminent regional forum for labour mobility for the Pacific and is established under the PACER Plus Arrangement on Labour Mobility (ALM) to promote regional cooperation and a platform for inclusive dialogue to inform labour mobility policies. PLMAM 2023 takes place from 20-24 November 2023 at the Warwick Le-Lagon Resort in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Hon. Charlot Salwai (seated, second from right) with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Matai Seremaiah (seated, far right), Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. Rick Tchamako (seated, far left) with members of the diplomatic corps and PLMAM 2023 participants from Vanuatu and the region. The Meeting brings together nearly 350 participants including workers, employers, government officials, private sector, unions, civil society, academics and regional organisations, to discuss the theme of “harnessing the development benefits of labour mobility”. “The success of this event would be a testament to the strength of our partnerships and commitment to advancing labour mobility initiatives and addressing the issues collectively in the Pacific region,” said Prime Minister Hon. Salwai. A notable addition to this year’s PLMAM is the Pacific Regional Sustainable Reintegration Workshop, a pioneering initiative aimed at exploring and determining a regional approach to leveraging labour mobility to increase the development impact of return migration and reintegration. Reintegration is recongised as a relatively new concept for the Pacific and the workshop provides an opportunity for countries to better understand the dynamics of reintegration, learn from best practices within the Pacific region as well as other regions and determine a regional way forward that can work for the Pacific. Mr. Roy Lagolago (left), Head of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit and Labour Mobility Secretariat shakes hands with the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Hon. Charlot Salwai. “This year’s theme of ‘harnessing the development benefits of labour mobility’ underscores the positive impact that a well-managed labour mobility program can have on participating countries. As we celebrate this collaboration, it is also timely that we reflect on our collective commitments to ensure we maximise our benefits while minimising our challenges,” said Prime Minister Salwai. The Workshop is also supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO), International Office for Migration (IOM) and the World Bank. The PLMAM 2023 will also feature speakers from all key stakeholder groups including workers, private sector, skills development providers, union and government ensuring the inclusivity of PLMAM to address regional labour mobility issues and enhance the development benefits of labour mobility for the Pacific. For more information on PLMAM 2023, please visit pacerplus.org/events/plmam2023. -END- More articles like this one
Rethinking the Development “Wins” from Labour Mobility
The development benefits of labour mobility are not as straight forward as we would like. Emeritus Professor Richard Bedford dwelled on the complexities of the labour mobility-development nexus saying “we’re just assuming that labour mobility is always good, or labour mobility is always bad. Labour mobility is a process and an option that individuals can exercise at different times in their lives, depending on the access they’ve got to other places to live in, and it’s not just a simple linear direct relationship”. Labour mobility generally refers to the movement of labour to deliver a service in an overseas labour market. It can cover movement for very short periods or a much longer or even permanent term. Similarly, development is defined by scale, and it is crucial to recognise the factors which enhance or mitigate development at every level. Labour migration can generate “triple wins” for migrants, their countries of origin and the countries that receive them. Photo: PALM Scheme Professor Bedford elaborated that “if you’re looking at mobility generally, you’re looking at decisions that people make about moving in order to achieve some particular goals or improvements perhaps in their lives or to escape something which they don’t like in the context they’re currently living in. So, development in that context is very much development of the individual and the social unit that they’re involved in and just by simply saying that what’s good for the individual is necessarily good for the community or good for the nation is a little bit simplistic”. The labour mobility-development nexus has also been captured in the proposal that temporary labour migration can generate ‘triple wins’ for migrants, their countries of origin and the countries that receive them. While there is consensus amongst labour mobility researchers on labour mobility generating multiple wins, there is not much convergence on who wins. Professor Bedford indicated that the “challenge with the triple win is that there are two parties that are definite — the employer who wants labour, and the workers who provide that labour. They are the people who are engaged in the process of seasonal movement, and they have to feel that they are benefiting from the interaction.” The third win, however, is unclear. Some scholars are questioning whether the “win” for individual workers effectively translates to sustainable socio-economic development in their countries of origin. Professor Bedford elaborated on the issue saying “people who come back year after year, their family becomes completely dependent on money earned offshore, and that’s not to contribute to development back home, that’s just simply to cover consumption. It (increased consumption) increases imports into the country because all they’re really doing is adding to consumer demand for, well, a mix of local produce and often more and more imported produce, which doesn’t do great things for the balance of trade necessarily for the country”. At the same time, the win for the labour receiving countries should not be discounted. Professor Bedford said that “the receiving country is getting an enormous amount of revenue from this as well, and we don’t really quantify that. We don’t ever address that, and so I actually think the triple win concept needs some quite careful rethinking”. The development benefits of labour mobility are also contingent on the type of labour mobility. Professor Bedford highlighted the critical importance of stakeholders understanding the contrasting impacts of short-term and long-term labour mobility programmes. “The biggest negative is taking away the skilled labour that the public and private sectors in the island countries need and have spent a lot of money training,” Professor Bedford stated. He further clarified that in the case of short-term labour mobility “you should be selecting people in villages who have few opportunities to earn a lot of money at home because their skills are very much the skills of agriculture and that’s where they will make their money, their skills. They’re people that work the land, and you’re going to bring them in to continue to work the land”. Long-term labour mobility can have a different type of impact and these contrasts should be considered in the design of labour mobility and development policies and strategies. The Pacific Labour Mobility Annual Meeting (PLMAM) provides a unique forum for rethinking of the different “wins” from labour mobility to inform policy formulation in the Pacific. Professor Bedford recognised the significance of PLMAM stating that it provides the “opportunity to share information, to acknowledge that we (countries) are in competition, but…we’re going to have to cooperate andcollaborate and work out standards and work out bottom lines, what we’re prepared to accept and what we’re not prepared to accept and not to undercut each other and not to have a race to the bottom”. With the theme of “harnessing the development benefits of labour mobility”, PLMAM 2023 seeks to bring together all relevant stakeholders to determine regional solutions that can enhance the wins for all those involved. More articles like this one
Regional Refresher Training on PACER Plus Rules of Origin Empowers Trainers
NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga – The Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus) Implementation Unit (PPIU) successfully organised the Rules of Origin Train the Trainers Workshop in collaboration with key regional and international partners. The event took place in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, from 16-20 October 2023. The regional workshop’s goal was to equip trainers with the knowledge and skills necessary to bridge the existing gaps in training and ensure effective implementation of PACER Plus Rules of Origin. This initiative, co-funded by the PPIU and the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO), aimed to enhance the capacity of trainers in the Pacific region to deliver national and regional capacity building on Rules of Origin (RoO). Partners involved in this initiative included the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Charles Sturt University’s Center for Customs and Excise Studies (CCES), New Zealand Customs Service, United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Tonga Ministry of Revenue and Customs and Ministry of Trade and Economic Development. Mr. Alipate Tavo, PPIU Trade in Goods Adviser, emphasised the significance of collaboration, saying, “This cooperation is imperative to ensure synergies in capacitating trainers in the Pacific to deliver national and regional capacity building on Rules of Origin under various trade agreements such as PACER Plus, Pacific Islands Countries Trade Agreement, Melanesian Spearhead Group Trade Agreement, Interim Economic Partnership Agreement, and the UK Developing Countries Trading Scheme.” PACER Plus holds enormous potential for the Pacific. However, realising these gains hinges on simplifying RoO for businesses and private sector stakeholders. Properly classifying products under the Harmonised System (HS) is a complex task, and the workshop focused on addressing these challenges. “Stakeholders can better utilise and benefit from duty free and quota free preferences when they understand the RoO, including how to access and undertake the necessary procedure,” said Mr. Tavo. The workshop’s goal was to equip trainers with the knowledge and skills necessary to bridge the existing gaps in training and ensure effective implementation of PACER Plus RoO, contributing to increased utilisation rates and benefits for the region. -END- More articles like this one
PACER Plus Implementation Unit Advocates for International Standards at the ISO Annual Meeting
BRISBANE, Australia – Mr. Roy Lagolago, Head of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU), was among the participants at the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) Annual Meeting, held from 18-22 September 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. The event, hosted by Standards Australia, brought together global experts and leaders to discuss collaboration, innovation, and sustainable solutions for addressing pressing global challenges. It also explored the role of International Standards in achieving the 2030 Global Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals. Mr. Roy Lagolago makes a presentation at the ISO Annual Meeting in Brisbane, Australia. Mr. Lagolago’s presence at the ISO Annual Meeting was marked by a talanoa focused on how the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus) could support Pacific parties in becoming more actively engaged with ISO standards and understanding their significance. PACER Plus, a unique development-based trade agreement between Australia, New Zealand and eight Pacific countries, aims to foster economic growth, trade liberalisation, and sustainable development among its parties. Mr. Lagolago’s discussion with interested delegates from the Pacific explored how PACER Plus could contribute to their ambitions to play a more significant role in ISO’s standardisation efforts. “We believe that embracing international standards is key to achieving economic growth, sustainability, and prosperity in the Pacific,” said Mr. Lagolago. “PACER Plus is committed to helping our member nations better understand and engage with ISO standards to enhance the quality of products and services they offer while facilitating trade with the broader international community.” The Pacific delegation’s attendance at the ISO Annual Meeting was made possible through the support of Standards Australia and the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Their contributions enabled officials from the Pacific to participate actively in discussions and share their perspectives on standards development. The United Kingdom is also committing AU$5.8 million to bolster the adoption of standards within Commonwealth countries. This investment aims to dismantle trade barriers, foster economic resilience, diminish reliance on aid, and pave the way for Pacific countries and other Commonwealth members to seize new opportunities for international businesses. Regional officials discuss how PACER Plus can support Pacific countries in becoming more actively engaged with ISO standards and understanding their significance. Hon. Crossley Tatui, Niue’s Minister for Finance and Infrastructure and the current chair of the PACER Plus Ministers Meeting, emphasized the significance of PACER Plus at both national and regional levels, highlighting its potential to deliver tangible benefits to Pacific countries. Ms. Leata Alaimoana, Queensland Trade Commissioner for the Pacific, discussed the close ties between the Australian state of Queensland and the Pacific, underscoring the opportunities for greater engagement with PACER Plus. Dr. Ulrich Diekmann, Regional Quality Infrastructure Coordination with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, provided valuable insights into the Pacific’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its quality infrastructure, aligning with international standards to improve competitiveness and trade capabilities. The ISO Annual Meeting provided a vital platform for fostering global partnerships and advancing the adoption of international standards. The participation of Mr. Lagolago in facilitating discussions on PACER Plus and its connection to ISO standards underscored the Agreement’s commitment to quality, sustainability, and international collaboration. -END- More articles like this one