THE THIRD
COMMONWEALTH HEADS OF GOVERNMENT REGIONAL MEETING
SUVA FIJI 14-18 OCTOBER 1982 Telephone: 311099
COMMONWEALTH HEADS OF GOVERNMENT REGIONAL MEETING
SUVA, OCTOBER 1982
FINAL COMMUNIQUE
I. Commonwealth Heads of Government from the Asia-Pacific region met in Suva from-
14 to 18 October 1982. Seventeen countries attended the Meeting, namely, Australia,
Bangladesh, Fiji, India, Kiribati, Malaysia, Maldives, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New
Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Tuvalu, Western Samoa and
Vanuatu. Fourteen were represented by their Presidents or Prime Ministers. The Prime
Minister of Fiji, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, was in the Chair.
2. Heads of Government warmly welcomed to the Meeting the Republic of Maldives,
which had become a Special Member of the Commonwealth earlier in the year.
POLITICAL TRENDS
3. Heads of Government expressed concern that the deterioration in the overall
international situation had continued since their Meeting in 1980, and that this had
led to a deepening sense of insecurity among people throughout the world. They noted
that current international economic difficulties had clearly exacerbated political
issues, not only in regard to East-West problems, but in relation to North-South
problems as well.
4. Against this background, they drew special attention to the relevance of the
recent Report to the General Assembly by the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
They commended his appeal for a sustained effort to reinvest the United Nations, and
particularly the Security Council, with the necessary means and authority to enable it
to fulfil the task of maintaining international peace and security entrusted to it by
its Charter. They strongly urged states to give thorough consideration at the current
Assembly session to the Secretary-General's recommendations.
As at their previous Meetings, Heads of Government rea ffirmed the
inadmissability of the use of force in international relations and of interference in
the internal affairs of states, and stressed the need to resolve differences by
peaceful means based on respect for sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity
and equality. 1hey recognised that adherence to these precepts and progress towards
disarmament were essential and complementary aspects to the achievement of
international security. They were therefore greatly disturbed by the failure of the
international community to reach any agreement on the Comprehensive Programme for
Disarmament considered at the recent United Nations Special Session devoted to
disarmament. They expressed the hope that the World Campaign, which had been launched
at the Special Session would help to create a climate of world public opinion that
would bring effective pressure to bear on governments to tackle difficult disarmament
issues with greater determination.
6. Heads of Government were gravely concerned that the conflicts in the Middle
East remain unresolved and continue to threaten world peace and security. They
stressed the urgent need to recognise the legir~ mate and inalienable rights of the
Palestinian people, including their right to a homeland, and to seek a just settlement
i f the problem on the basis of the relevant United Nations resolutions. They
condemned Israel for its invasion of Lebanon and expressed their revulsion at the
resultant death and devastation particularly in Beirut. They were deeply concerned at
the grave consequences that these recent events could have for the prospects for any
future settlement. Recognising that the untold human misery could not be undone they
nevertheless urged the governments concerned to redouble their efforts to find an
urgent solution to the problem, to enable the Lebanon and all peoples in the area to
live in peace.
7. Heads of Government reaffirmed their total and unequivocal condemnation of
apartheid perpetuated by the white minority regime in South Africa. They condemned
the increasingly frequent military incursions by South Africa into the neighbouring,
states of Angola, Mozambique and Zimbabwe in an attempt to subvert the process of
liberation in Southern Africa. They expressed deep concern at South Africa's delaying
tactics over the negotiations for Namibia's independence on the basis of Security
Council Resolution 435.
The Asia-Pacific Region
8. In reaffirming their commitment to the goal of establishing a zone of peace in
the Indian Ocean, Heads of Government noted with alarm the increasing build-up of the
Great Power military presence in the area which was taking place against the expressed
wishes of the Littoral and hinterland states. They endorsed the view expressed by the
General Assembly that the projected United Nations Conference on the Indian Ocean was
a necessary step towards implementing the 1971 United Nations Declaration. They
called upon the Great Powers to take immediate action to reduce tension in the Indian
Ocean area and urged all concerned to work towards the convening of the Conference
without further delay.
9. Heads of Government expressed grave concern at the situation in and around
Afghanistan and its implications both for the region's peace and stability and for
international security. They reiterated their urgent call for a political settlement
on the basis of the withdrawal of foreign troops and full respect for the
independence, sovereignty and non-aligned status of Afghanistan and strict observance
ot the principles of non-intervention and non-interference. They were disturbed that
none of the international initiatives designed to assist the affected parties to find
a mutually acceptable solution had proved successful. They affirmed the right of the
Afghan refugees to return to their homes in safety and honour. They urged all
concerned to work towards a negotiated settlement which would leave the Afghan people
free to determine their own future.
Heads of Government expressed grave concern at the persistence of foreign
military intervention and interference in Kampuchea which has aggravated tension and
instability in South East Asia. They reiterated their concern that if the situation
remains unresolved, it would only invite greater involvement by major powers in the
affairs of the region. They reaffirmed the need for all states to strictly adhere to
the fundamental principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of other
states, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and
non-recourse to the use or threat of force in settling disputes. They stressed that
it was imperative for a comprehensive political solution to be found to the Kampuchean
question on the basis of the total withdrawal of all foreign forces from Kampuchea,
and the restoration of the independence, sovereignty, and neutrality of Kampuchea so
as to enable the people to determine their future free of outside interference. In
this regard Heads of Government noted developments on Kampuchea since their last
discussion including the formation of the coalition ~ government of Democratic Kampuchea
and the announcement of the Government of Vietnam of a pa-rtial withdrawal of its
forces from Kampuchea and its consultations with other r-ountries of the region. They
hoped that the prospect of a political solution to the problem would be enhanced.
Iheads of Government noted with approval the efforts to establish a Zone of
Peace, Freedom and Neutrality ( ZOPFAN) in South East Asia, and they called upon all
states to fully support those efforts. They expressed concern that the unresol. ved
Kampuchean question continues to pose a serious obstacle to the realisation of
ZOPFAN. They therefore urged that efforts towards a comprehensive political solution
of the Kampuchean question be intensified so as to achieve lasting peace in the region.
12. Heads of Government agreed that the South Pacific was an area of great economic
and strategic importance and endorsed the concern expressed for the security of the
area. They agreed that any intrusion of Great Power rivalry in the South Pacific
would introduce a new and undesirable element of instability.
13. Heads of Government were concerned at the persistence of the. problem of
refugees / illegal immigrants from Indo-China. They expressed their appreciation to the
countries providing transit and final settlement. They reiterated the view that the
problem should be tackled at its source and urged the countries primarily responsible
for the situation to create an environment in which the peoples of Indo-China could
live in peace and harmony. They hoped that, pending a political solution to th e
conflicts in Indo-China which were the root cause of the problem, the countries
concerned would continue to co-operate by preventing further illegal departures and by
working with UNHCR and resettlement countries to implement the programme of orderly
departures. 14. Heads of Government strongly reaffirmed the conviction expressed in the
Melbourne Communique the previous year, that the peoples of the South Pacific should
be given the opportunity to exercise their right of self-determination and
independence in accordance with principles laid down in the United Nations Charter.
They noted with satisfaction the assurances which the President of France had given
earlier in the year to the special South Pacific Forum mission led by the Prime
LMinister of Fiji. heads of Government acknowledged the efforts of the Kanak people of
~ Ne4, C, a ledonia towards the attainment of self-determination and independence by
peacetul means. They welcomed the French Government's programme for reforms in the
territory and expressed the hope that these reforms would assist the Kanaks in their
efforts towards a smooth and speecy transition to independence.
heads of Government took note of the desire of the South Pacific island states
to establish their region as a nuclear weapon-free zone, recalling the resolution
already adopted on the subject by the United Nations General Assembly in 1975. They
agreed that the continuation of nuclear weapon testing in the region was a matter for
deep concern. They fully supported the South Pacific Forum's strong condemnation of
France's continued test programme as well as its failure to provide information on the
effects of past tests on the human and natural environment of the Pacific. They also
expressed anxiety over the possibility of the South Pacific becoming an international
dumping ground for nuclear waste and called on all states to desist from the storage
or dumping of nuclear wastes in the Pacific.
16. Heads of Government welcomed the adoption in April 1982, of the new
comzprehensive Convention on the Law of the Sea, which had been the fruit of nine years
of painstaking negotiations and which was of special significance to the countries of
the region. At the same time they deeply deplored the declared decision by the United
States not to become a party to the Convention. Observing that a number of other
developed states had abstained in the vote on its adoption, they recognised that the
lack of active support from these states could seriously undermine the effectiveness
of an instrument that was designed to establish-an international regime for the
equitable and orderly management of the resources of the sea to the benefit of
developed and developing countries alike. They therefore strongly urged all states to
sign the Convention at the forthcoming signing conference in 1982 and to proceed to
the ratification process without unnecessary delay.
. LN'ERNA1IONAL ECONOMIC ISSUES
World Economic Situation
17. Heads at Governiment expressed grave concern at the continuing deterioration of
the world economy and in international economi~ c co-operation. Inflation was
continuing at high levels. Living standards were declining in many countries and
unemployment, already high, was still increasing, particularly among the young. The
deepening economic crisis had dangerous consequences for the social and political
fabric. ot societies. Its impact was severest on developing countries, particularly
the Least developed countries. Increas-i. ng numbers of developing countries were
experiencing declining per capita i ncomes. Balance of payments deficits and debt
servicing burdens had become dangerously -high for many countries, and this had been--
exacerbated by high interest rates and reduced demand in export' markets. The
situation in low income countries was particularly acute. Against the background of
their limited access to capital markets, deterioratinig ext-ernal payments were imposing
severe contraction on growth rates that were already at critical levels. Heads of
Government warned that the situation was becoming politically explosive in many
developing countries. Problems of recovery and development, they stressed, now
required immediate action in the form of appropriate policies and measures.
18. Heads of Government welcomed the recent reductions in inflation and interest
rates in the major industrialised countries. They underlined, however, the urgent
need for policies to bring about non-inflationary economic growth. They regarded
continued progress in lowering inlterest rates as crucial. They agreed that vigorous
joint and co-ordinated remedial international action could not be further postponed.
Bold decisions were required and it was extremely important that the opportunities
presented by forthcoming n. eetings the GATT Contracting Parties at Ministerial level
in November 1982, the LMF Interim Committee in April 1983 and UNCTAD-VI in June--1983
were not missed.
19. Heads of Government noted with concern the continuing stalemate-in-launching
Global Negotiations. Wvhi le differences had narrowed, the impasse had continued. They
expressed the hope that the political resolve evident at the Commonwealth heads of
Government Meeting in Melbourne and the summits of Cancun and Versailles would be
brought to bear to clear the way for an early start to-the Negotiations. They
emphasised the need-for a special effort at the current session of the United Nations
General Assembly to resolve outstanding difficulties. They reiterated the need for
parallel, concurrent and immediate action in ci~ itical areas such as trade, energy,
food and finance.
Heads of Government welcomed the decision of the recent Meeting of Commonwealth
Finance Ministers to request the Commonwealth Secretariat to undertake an overall
examination of the international trade and payments system and in particular the role
of the international economic institutions without prejudice to action on immediate
measures.* In view of: the vast changes that had taken place since the establishment of
the Bretton Woods institutions and of the evident mal-functioning of the international
economic system, they . agreed that the time was most opportune for such an
examination. They looked ' forward to its * results with great interest. They expressed
the hope that the study would help to focus attention on a comprehensive examination
of the world's Lrade and payments system.
21. * Without prejudice to Global Negotiations, but mindful of the emergency facing
the world economy, heads of Government noted with appreciation the New Zealand
proposal for a review of the Bretton Woods system. Acknowl~ dging the need tar an
appropriate review and for reform of the world's tradinlg * and payments arrangements on
linEs responsive to contemporary needs and realities, they agreed that their
governments would give particular attention to it in the light of the study
Commonwealth Finance Ministers had commnissioned from the CommonweaIth Secretariat.
Heads of Government considered the report on Protectionism by a Group of
. perts headed by Sir Alec Cairncross. They agreed that it made a uniquely important
S-ontribution to the consideration of protectionism as it affects developing
countries. Accordingly they decided that the Secretary-General should make available
a copy of the report to the Director-General of GATT for circulation at the
forthcoming GAIT Ministerial meeting. It would be desirable for Commonwealth
Ministers attending the GAT meeting to endeavour to see that the outcome of that
meeting reflects as much as possible the recommendations of the report by the Group of
Exprts. 23. Heads of Government agreed that two central issues on the international
economic agenda were creeping protectionism and growing disorder in the international
financial system. While not seekLng to postpone consideration of other important
issues, they believed these two were crucial to both development and recovery and
required immediate attention and action.
Financial Issues
24. leads ol Government recogiised that there had been tundamental political and
economic changes since the framework for international economic co-operation had been
established at Bretton Woods and Havana. Within the last decade, high and
difterential rates of inflation had disturbed exchange rates, economic activity had
slowed and balance of payments deficits and surpluses had emerged of a persistent
rather than cyclical character. While recognising that sound domestic policies to
foster adjustments were among the essential prerequisites to world economic recovery
and development, they stressed that features of the present trade and payments systems
were not conducive to an orderly adjustment process.
They were conc . r-ned over the mounting debt problems of many developing
countries and their growing reliance on such shorter-term commercial borrowing as
cannot be sustained. Agreeing that the LMF, the IBRD and its associated bodies should
continue to play a key role, they considered that a review of these institutions was
uesirable to enable them to adapt more adequately to present-day conditions. They saw
the need tor greater resources to facilitate longer-term finance for adjustment, and a
more realistic application of conditionality. They stressed the importance of
reaching agreemcent at the April meeting of the Interim Committee for a very
substantial increase in quotas under the Eighth General Quota Review.
26. In view of the desperate situation facing most low income and least developed
countries, Heads of Government voiced disappointment that aid flows were again
declining in real terms. They called on all donors to make special efforts to
increase ODA to meet internationally agreed targets and to provide the necessary
support for facilitating adjustments in developing countries.
27. Heads of Government recognised the substantial contribution that IDA had made
in transferring concessional resources to low-income countries. They welcomed the
recent efforts by many donors to ensure that IDA flows were not disrupted by the
decision of the United States to stretch out its IDA VI replenishment. They called
for early agreement on a replenishment level for IDA VII which would ensure an
increase in real terms in keeping with past trends and the urgency of satisfying
present needs for concessional finance.
28. Noting that the growth rate in World Bank lending remained significantly below
the target of 5 per cent in real terms, Heads of Government called for special efforts
to expand the Bank's operations. They noted its efforts to increase co-financing, but
stressed that the Bank's development role must be preserved and. that this required
continued expansion of its own resources and lending.
cernational Trade
29. Heads of Government considered that protectionism posed a threat to the
multilateral trading system, impaired the ability of deficit countries to service and
repay loans through increased export earnings, and hampered the development efforts of
developing countries. Noting that the Australian proposals initially for a standstill
and subsequently for a phased-in windback of all forms of protection having a trade
distorting effect could help signiticantly in revitalising the world economy, they
were of the view that developing countries in particular would benefit from any
relaxation of trade distorting measures and that such relaxation would assist world
economic recovery to the benefit of all.
Heads of Government reaffirmed their commitment to an open international
trading system and viewed with alarm the growing disregard for basic principles and
rules such as non-discrimination, transparency and predictability. They fully
supported the need to reinforce these rules.
31. Heads of Government agreed that the GATT Ministerial meeting must bring about a
complete standstill on protection and must establish arrangements to facilitate the
reduction of protectionist barriers. They emphasised the importance of an effective
non-discriminatory safeguards system under which new protectionist measures would be
discouraged and orderly marketing arrangements such as the Multi-fibre Arrangement and
voluntary export restraints would eventually be phased out. Recognising that little
progress had so far been made in dismantling agricultural protectionism, they urged
the development of an approach to overcome the obstacles posed by the close
relationship between agr: icultural protectionism and domestic agricultural policies.
They agreed in this context that an early start should be made iln reducing export
subsidies adopted by developed countries to support their agriculture. They stressed
the importance of improving the disputes settlement procedures under the GATT and of
all countries adhering to the decisions and disciplines involved.
Commodity Problems
32. Heads of Government expressed great concern at the sharp decline in commodity
prices in recent years and the disastrous ettect this was having on the terms of trade
of many developing countries. Current trends demonstrated the vital importance of
commodity price and export earnings stabilisation arrangements and the need to
redouble efforts to secure thair establishment. They agreed that early relief could
be given by more adequate provision for meeting export shortfalls through the
liberalisation of access to the IMF Compensatory Financing Facility. The situation
also called for innovative approaches including increased emphasis on co-operation
among producing countries to protect themselves against the vagaries of international
commodity markets.
Energy 33. Heads of Government were of the view that the present softness of the oil
market should not lull the international community into inaction on the energy front.
They stressed that immediate consideration should be given to devising special
arrangments to meet the energy needs of low income and least developed countries
facing difficult balance of payment problems and to facilitating increased
availability of international financing for development of their indigenous energy
resources including the establishment of the energy affiliate of the World Bank. They
welcomed the concessional arrangements for the purchase of oil introduced by several
oil exporting countries such as Mexico, Venezuela, and Trinidad and Tobago for central
American and Caribbean countries and Nigeria for African countries, and urged wider
application of similar measures encompassing other geographical zones. I
ood ' Problems
34. Heads of Government expressed deep concern over the critical and worsening tood
situation faced by many developing countries, particularly the least developed
countries. There was an urgent need ror a dependable system of world food security.
lTh-y called for early establishmeiit of an Lnternationai grains arrangement which
should recognise the special needs of developing countries. They urged that effective
steps by taken to meet the food aid target agreed in the International Development
Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade. They stressed the
importance of providing adequate financial and technical resources to enhance food
production.
REGIONAL ECONOMIC AND FUCTIONAL CO-OPERATION
Heads of Government recognised that programmes of practical co-operation
designed to assist the process of development were an important product of their
deliberations and they noted with satisfaction the progress achieved in this regard by
the Consultative/ Working Groups set up at earlier meetings. They agreed that the work
of the Groups should be continued with greater emphasis on a practical, action
oriented approach. They further agreed that one of the major objectives of the
programmes of functional co-operation was to assist the -small island countries of the
region to overcome their special problems of development.
36. While calling for an expansion or CFTC support for all developing countries of
the region, they welcomed the enhanced programmes of assistance to the small island
countries undertaken by the CFTC through regional and functional programmes and in
collaboration with CHOCRM Groups. They expressed particular appreciation for the
assistance provided by the CFTC in the implementation of the Pacific Regional Advisory
Service which has been established within the South Pacific Bureau for Economic
Co-operation, and for the financial assistance pledged by the Australian Government
for the Secretariat to facilitate CHOGRM states to have permanent representation at
the United Nations.
Trade 37. Heads of Government emphasised the importance of continuing to pursue efforts
to facilitate the liberalisation of trade within the region and to bring collective
pressure to bear on barriers in the major industrialised countries to exports from
CHOGRM countries. They recognised the importance of the GSP as an instrument for
promoting further trade liberalisation within the region and urged the developed
countries in the region to accord careful and sympathetic consideration to proposals
aimed at achieving an expansion of product coverage and a deepening of preferences for
the exports of developing member countries. They noted the view of developing
countries that the more advanced countries within the region could play a dynamic role
in increasing regional trade by reducing their import barriers. In this context they
welcomed the initiative of Australia and New Zealand in establishing the SPARTECA
Agreement which provides for duty free, unrestricted access for the Forum island
countries. They directed the CHOGRM Trade Group to consider the recommendations of
the various studies it had commissioned with a view to their practical implementation.
38. Heads of Government recognised that considerable scope existed for Asian and
Pacitic Commonwealth countries to increase their exports to destinations both within
and outside the region. They noted however, that infrastructural facilities for trade
needea to be developed or strengthened; opportunities for trade had to be identified
and technical assistance was required if they were to be. exploited. Heads of
Government noted the facilities available within the Export Market Development
Division ot the Secretariat to take up an extensive range of projects to develop and
alnd the trade of the countries of the region and the considerable work that had
: Lt h~ reTaedry a deb eeGn roduopn e thina t thteh e reSgeiocnr etbayr iatht e sDhoivuilsdi oni. n creTahseey ethnde orsleevde l theo f reictso mmaecntdiavtiitoyn oinf
exotdevelopment in the Asian and Pacific region and agreed that additional funds
should be provided to make this possible.
39. , In endorsing its report [ leads of Government requested the Trade Group to
continue its work within * its present mandate and to take due regard of, inter alia,
the decisions of the GATT Ministerial meeting in determining its priorities for future
work. Energy Heads of Government endorsed the Report of the Consultative Group on Energy.
They noted with satisfaction that the Group was now entering a new phase of activities
in which a concrete programme of demonstration projects will be undertaken. They
welcomed the recent initiatives taken in identifying projects and sites for the
establishment of renewable energy systems and energy conservation technologies for
purposes of demonstration, evaluation and training. They also welcomed. the
willingness of Australia and India to support the installation of some of these
systems as part of the programme. They also noted with satisfaction that the Group's
activ iite e ouh acfi wllinfuture complement and supplement the Pacific
Energy Programme co-ordiinated by SPEC. They also agreed that the services of CRRERIS
be extended to SPEC.
41. Noting that there (-, xLS ts8 Scope tor co-operation in respect of. feasibility
studies, consultancy services, project execution, etc., Heads of Government agreed
that the scope of activities of the Group should be expanded to help promote such
co-operation in commercial. scale energy projects in countries of the region.
Indus try
42. Heads of Government considered the Rleport of the Working Group on Industry and
noted with appreciation the thrust of its work in assisting member countries,
especially small island states, toward the achievement of tangible results in
industrial projects. They commended the work of the Industrial Development Unit ( IDU)
of the CFTC in providing the necessary technical and field services for the
establishment of projects on the ground. They noted with satisfaction that the
viability of more than seventy industrial projects, mainly in the small scale and
agro-based sectors, has been established in the region and that their progress toward
implementation has been facilitated by inputs of technology, engineering, information
exchanges, technical collaboration, entrepreneurship development and investment flows.
43. They noted the arrangements effected by the Group for co-ordination with SPEC
and other international agencies and expressed gratitude for the financial and other
practical assistance provided by individual member countries. Heads of Government
also approved the future programme ot work as proposed In the Group's Report which
could lead to further progress in the implementation of projects.
Agriculture 44. Heads of Government considered the Report of the Expert Study Group on
Agricultural Research and Development set up by the. Secretary-General in response to
their request made in New Delhi in 1980. They endorsed the views expressed in the
Report on the priority needs of member couintries of the~ region and its recommendations
relating to the upgrading of profesional skills; the exchange of publications and
research materials between member countries; greater dissemination of information
through more efficient utilisation of existing information services; and the
~ gt -hening of programmes of specialist training using existing institutions within
reg ion.-They agreed that in order to provide a central focus for the various
tivities proposed a Consultative Group on Agricuiture should be established and
iccepted the offer of Sri Lanka to act as convener of the Group.
Illicit Drugs
Heads of Government complimented the Working Group on Illicit Drugs whose work
had contributed to the awareness of the problems associated with drug trafticking and
the nced for co-operation amnong Commonwealth and other countries in the region. Its
deliberations had demonstrated that the problem of illicit drugs constituted a threat
to the security, stability and social order of a nation. They endorsed the
recommendation of the Working Group that since the Group had fulfilled its mandate it
should only meet in the future at the request of member countries as and when the need
arose. IMaritime Issues
46. Heads of Government recognised the critical importance of maritime issues to
all members of the region. They noted, in particular, the complexity, diversity and
interrelated nature of these matters which were of both political and economic
significance to governments. They welcomed the suggestion of the Secretary-General
that potential exists for co-operation among member governments in this area and
expressed appreciation for the specific proposal of the Government of Australia for
the commissioning of a report on such co-operation. Heads of Government therefore
asked the Secretary -General after further consultations with governments as
appropriate, to convene a small group. of experts from multidisciplinary backgrounds to
prepare a report to be available as early as possible. Ihis report should assess what
activity is already being carried out on a regional, multilateral and bilateral basis
and should identify possible new areas which might be taken up and whether scope
exists for complementing existing programmes.
Human Resources
47. Heads of Government recognised that shortages of trained manpower constituted a
major constraint on development, particularly in the small island countries. Gaps in
the availability of human resources existed in a wide range of technical and
professional fields throughout the region and Heads of Government acknowledged that
considerable scope existed for additional training facilities and programmes. They
agreed that each of the Consul tat ive / Working Groups should give greater emphasis to
the development of skills through training programmes and specialist attachments,
making maximum use of existing institutions wherever relevant.
Employment/ Labour
48. Heads of Government welcomed the outcome of the First Meeting of Commonwealth
Ministers of Employment / Labour, held in Geneva on I June 1982, which had been arranged
in response to the request by Commonwealth Heads of Government at their Meeting in
Melbourne in October 1981. They expressed the view that greater Commonwealth
co-operation on important employment and labour issues, including education and
training and manpower development, was desirable and looked forward to receiving
specific proposals from the 1983 meeting of Employment/ Labour Ministers.
Funding 49. Heads ' of Government, recognising that the work of the Consul tat ive / Working
Groups had entered a more action-oriented phase, took -the view that regional
functional co-operation required a firmer basis for mobilising regional financial
, ources. They agreed that additional earmarked contributions from member countries,
a a voluntary basis, should, through a special account within the CFTC, be used to
finance activities undertaken at the request of the Groups on Trade, Energy, Industry
and Agriculture and to meet the costs of the new Study Group on Maritime Issues. The
CFTC, in pursuance of its normal activities in the region would continue to respond to
requests for assistance from individual member governments and regional institutions.
They expressed the hope that these financial resources would be supplemented from
other international sources including the United Nations development system.
Appreciation and Next Meeting
Heads of Government welcomed with great pleasure the opportunity of their
meeting in Suva and expressed their appreciation of the excellent arrangements made
for the Meeting and the warm and friendly hospitality of the Government and people of
Fiji. They accepted with pleasure the invitation of the Government of Papua New
Guinea to hold their next Meeting there in about two years.