22 Jul 2011

Samoa leader touts sub-regional Polynesian grouping in Forum anniversary speech

6:46 pm on 22 July 2011

The Samoan Prime Minister has raised the possibility of the formation of a sub-regional Polynesian grouping.

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi made the comment during a lecture in Apia on regionalism held to mark the fortieth anniversary of the establishment of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

The Prime Minister says the idea of a Polynesian sub-group, which has been considered at earlier forum meetings, should be raised again.

"That would focus attention on issues facing Polynesia. Besides the preservation of languages, cultures and traditions, sub-regionalism would also provide better platforms for the delivery of programs."

Tuilaepa says good examples of sub-regionalism are the grouping of Small Island States and the Melanesian Spearhead Group, which should be viewed as countries with common history or interests working together.