15th
Post-Forum Dialogue
Opening
remarks by the Honourable David
Kilgour, P.C., M.P.
Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) and M.P. (Edmonton Southeast)
Head of the Canadian Delegation
Auckland, New Zealand
18 August 2003
Ministers,
distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,
Tena
Kotau, Tena Kotau, Tena Kotau Katoa.
On behalf of all members of the Canadian delegation, we are very
pleased to be here. We’re
grateful to the New Zealand government for its warm hospitality.
Furthermore, they and the Forum Secretariat must be commended for
their excellent organization of this important meeting.
Rugby was mentioned this morning.
Hearty congratulations are obviously due to New Zealand for having
reclaimed Lord Bledisloe’s cup. I
might that add that a few weeks ago, Canada too felt the full force of New
Zealand’s rugby prowess, when the New Zealand Maori team paid us a
visit. The game I watched finished a respectable 55 – 11; I will
let you guess for whom.
The same week, I saw one of the most touching movies I’ve ever
seen, “Whale Rider.” You
should know that this New Zealand production was awarded the People’s
Choice Award, as voted by the audiences, at Toronto’s prestigious
International Film Festival. In one way, these two small examples, encapsulating
sport and culture, speak to the close ties that exist between Canada and
the states of the South Pacific.
Before elaborating on that, allow me to introduce some of the
Canadians here: Mr. Bryon
Wilfert is a Member of Parliament from the Toronto area and is the
Parliamentary Secretary to our Minister of Finance.
Jean Fournier is our High Commissioner in Canberra, and is
accredited to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, the Marshall
Islands, Nauru, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia.
John Donaghy is our High Commissioner in Wellington, and is
accredited to Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu, and the Cook Islands.
Jean and John are quite literally Canada’s eyes and ears on the
ground in the South Pacific, spending much time visiting the region.
Canada takes a real interest in issues throughout the South
Pacific. For instance, we greatly appreciate the support our Pacific
island partners have shown for important initiatives such as the Landmines
Convention, the International Criminal Court and a few years ago, for
Canada’s election to the UN Security Council.
Our relationship has also been greatly enhanced by longstanding
ties through the UN, the Commonwealth, la Francophonie and various
regional organizations. Finally,
over the last 30 years, we are proud to have provided over $CDN150 million
in development assistance to Pacific island partners through the
Canada-South Pacific Ocean Development (CSPOD) programme and the Canada
Fund for Local Initiatives.
Since becoming partners in the Post-Forum Dialogue 15 years ago,
our relations have evolved to include a broad range of economic,
political, and security interests.
Our discussions now touch on international as well as regional
security, non-proliferation, the promotion and protection of human rights,
sustainable development and the environment – issues which are all of
critical and crucial importance.
With respect to the environment, since last year’s dialogue,
Canada has ratified the Kyoto Protocol.
Last week, our Prime Minister announced $1.7 billion to meet our
commitments. This is very much in line with what was stated in the Pacific
Islands Forum communiqué.
Today, we evidently live in challenging times.
Flexible and creative solutions are needed to deal with major
preoccupations such as effective policing, corruption, the trafficking of
drugs and small arms, people smuggling, border control, and money
laundering. These issues demand significant time, energy, and resources.
Leaders in the South Pacific have shown an ability to think in a
creative and flexible way to broach these challenges.
The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) serves
as case in point. Canada
recognises and is encouraged by the initial successes of RAMSI.
In showing such broad support for a concerted regional response to
assist the Solomon Islands, the Pacific Islands Forum members have truly
given life to the Biketawa Declaration – defending principles which
guide all our countries: good governance, equal rights, and democracy.
Another example is the recent Forum Declaration on the Adoption of
Principles of Good Leadership. This
is an innovative initiative and we look forward to discussing its
implications further with you. We are particularly encouraged by the
inclusion in Principle 1 of the protection of human rights and fundamental
freedoms, which of course includes freedom of expression and freedom of
the media. Finally, I must
recognise the unanimous support shown by leaders for capacity building
through the pooling of scarce regional resources to strengthen national
capabilities.
Once again, we are pleased to be participating in this 15th
dialogue session. We look
forward to fruitful discussions and to continuing our productive
relationship with the Forum and Forum states’ governments.
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