Forum
The Forum brings together 16 isolated states from the South Pacific. A further 41 countries are sending delegations, including China, which has sought to expand its role in the region, where Taiwan has diplomatic recognition from a handful of countries.
The Russians have also had mixed success here in winning support. And in the past year, Washington has signaled a renewed emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region, deepening economic and security ties.
Highlighting the growing importance of the forum is the much anticipated arrival of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton later in the week.
Clinton's office has yet to confirm whether she will head the United States delegation but preparations are in place for what locals say would be the most important diplomatic visit since Britain's Queen Elizabeth came to the Cook Islands in 1974.
Climate change, boundary agreements
Derek Fox, spokesman for the Forum, says two upcoming votes for non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council will add another layer to lobbying among delegates.
“Chinese have a big interest in the Pacific and that's probably why the Americans are starting to show an interest again now. And there are other agencies like the UN and the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank and countries quite distant from here who are showing an interest," said Fox. "There's an Israeli group coming and there is a Taiwanese delegation here."
Fox says other issues include climate change and management of the Pacific Ocean, with announcements expected on a new marine park, boundary agreements and foreign aid packages. Read the full report here.
Source: Luke Hunt, Voice of America, Rarotonga, Cook Island.
