19 Sep 2016

Leaders independence at Pacific Forum questioned

From , 5:03 am on 19 September 2016

Civil society groups are questioning the independence of island leaders in the Pacific Islands Forum while Australia and New Zealand are at the table.

This comes after what the Pacific Islands Association (PIANGO) of NGO's described some outcomes from last week's leaders summit in the Federated States of Micronesia as disappointing.

PIANGO executive director Emele Duituturaga was in Pohnpei and said the passion and enthusiasm Pacific leaders had for some issues were not reflected in the final communique.

She spoke with Koroi Hawkins, who began by asking her whether her meetings with leaders about issues, such as human rights abuses and self-determination in West Papua had been fruitful.