Latest Press Statement 29 August 2012 <\/p>\n
43rd Pacific Islands Forum opens in the Cook Islands <\/p>\n
PRESS RELEASE (106\/12) 28th August 2012 <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Cook Islands Prime Minister and new Forum Chair, Hon. Henry Puna (left) sings <\/p>\n
to welcome Forum Leaders to the 43rd PIF <\/p>\n
Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 28\/08\/12 The 43rd Pacific Islands Forum has officially opened in the Cook Islands capital Rarotonga with Forum Leaders being carried to the entrance of the National Auditorium, where the ceremony was held, on a Paata ( a traditional platform) accompanied by their adopted schools. <\/p>\n
There were traditional challenges along the way to the Auditorium with the beating of drums and chants. There were more tamure dancing with the new Chair of the Forum and Cook Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Henry Puna singing a song to welcome his Pacific colleagues to his country. Forum Leaders and their delegations together with the local community then joined together in a large feast. <\/p>\n
Included are parts of the address by the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade at the opening ceremony. <\/p>\n
The Forum at 40 pressing forward <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Excerpt from:<\/p>\n
43rd Pacific Islands Forum opens in the Cook Islands<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Latest Press Statement 29 August 2012 43rd Pacific Islands Forum opens in the Cook Islands PRESS RELEASE (106\/12) 28th August 2012 Cook Islands Prime Minister and new Forum Chair, Hon. Henry Puna (left) sings to welcome Forum Leaders to the 43rd PIF Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 28\/08\/12 The 43rd Pacific Islands Forum has officially opened in the Cook Islands capital Rarotonga with Forum Leaders being carried to the entrance of the National Auditorium, where the ceremony was held, on a Paata ( a traditional platform) accompanied by their adopted schools. There were traditional challenges along the way to the Auditorium with the beating of drums and chants Continue reading