Pacific Islands Conference

Press, 2 August 1985, Page 5

Pacific Islands Conference

Wellington reporter New Zealand will be represented at the second Pacific Islands Conference at Rarotonga, Cook Islands, next week by the Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Mr Prebble.

In his capacity as Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr Prebble will be present atthe signing of a new aviation agreement between New Zealand and the Cook Islands while there. The agreement will cover the administration of Rarotonga and Aitutaki airports and other aviation matters, and will be signed by the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, and the Cook Islands Premier, Sir Thomas Davis. The conference will be from August 7 to 9, immediately after the South Pacific Forum meeting at which New Zealand will be represented by Mr Lange. The theme for the Pacific Islands Conference will be “Development and Change.” Sessions will be held on topics such as the Pacific Islands in the twenty-first century, urban and rural life, health and nutrition, youth, and the role of the private sector in employment. As well, there will be reports on research initiated by the first conference, which was held in Hawaii in 1980. Topics include aquaculture potential, regional co-operation, energy needs and alternatives, disaster preparedness and rehabilitation, and the international legal implications of nuclear-waste disposal the ocean.