Representatives of Australia, France, New Zealand and the United States at the meeting, opened by Tonga’s Princess Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu Tuita, also offered continued backing for SPC, which over the past four years has developed a growing network of regional and country offices across the Pacific.
Their combined support augurs well for SPC. Under a reform process for regional institutions directed by Pacific Forum Leaders, the organization will grow from having 390 staff in 2009 to 540 in January next year when most of the Suva-based Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission and all of the South Pacific Board of Educational Assessment merge with SPC.
Niue Premier Toke Talagi said the important role of SPC was appreciated but with increased resources and financial requirements it was unreasonable to expect poor Pacific Island countries to contribute more than they do already.
