It gives me great pleasure to send greetings to Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and all the participants gathered in the Republic of the Fiji Islands for this meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum.

Last month, in conjunction with the annual General Debate of the General Assembly, the United Nations held the latest in its series of meetings with regional organizations. Those discussions included a ministerial session of the Security Council, and were conducted in a welcome atmosphere of candour and common purpose. And the high level of representation underlined the importance of the issues being discussed, such as conflict prevention and peacebuilding. There is clearly new impetus for further developing the ties between the United Nations and regional organizations throughout the world, as envisaged in Chapter VIII of the UN Charter.

The Pacific Islands Forum is among those good partners, and I am encouraged that our organizations continue to strengthen our relationship. Fourteen UN agencies have operational presences in the Pacific region, and are developing a UN Development Assistance Framework that is closely aligned with the Pacific Plan. The United Nations is committed to the implementation and evolution of the Plan, and we will continue our efforts to improve our coherence and effectiveness. For your part, I hope Governments will undertake the substantially stronger efforts that will be needed, in consultation with civil society, the private sector and other actors, to accelerate progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. Your meeting offers an opportunity to explore new approaches and proposals.

I am confident that our partnership will continue to grow and that, together, we can capably address the diverse challenges faced by the countries that make up your Forum. Please accept my best wishes for a successful meeting.