In its bid to further its supporting arm, a regional civil society organisation and private sector organisation have become members of the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF).
The Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO) and the Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (PIANGO) signed the PIDF Charter on Monday.
“For a long time now, CSOs and NGOs have been knocking on the doors of Government. We have been pushing at the regional level for the inclusion and recognition of civil societies,” said Emele Duituturaga, the Executive Director for PIANGO.
For both parties, this enables them to further the work that they do.
“The recognition of Pacific civil society voices at the UN and at our regional leaders meeting. Most importantly when PIDF begins to form its structures at the national level. We want to ensure that CSO and communities are represented at that level,” added Duituturaga.
PIPSO consists of 15 national private organisations in the region.
The private sector involvement gives great leverage for PIDF.
“We certainly look forward to engaging in whatever the issue be environmental, economics – it is still something that you need to consult with stakeholders. You need to talk to each other and this is a great opportunity and historic event for us,” added PIPSO’s Vice Chair, Howard Politini.
“The private sector is truly the main engine of growth and sustainable development can not be done without the engagement of the private sector and in the past there has always been reluctance of the private sector engaging in development initiatives. But the message we got from Paris we need to do this together,” added Francois Martel, PIDF’s Secretary General.
The multi stakeholder partnerships gives a greater representation at all levels for the region.
“The private sector can actually work together with civil society because they work at the grass root level. If you have social and environmental responsibility as part as you want to do as a company then you can actually support projects that are implemented by CSOs at the grass root level,” added Martel.
Of the ten PIDF members, two are regional organisations with eight sovereign island nations