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Message from Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori
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Japan will host PALM 2000 (the Second Japan-South Pacific Forum (SPF) Summit Meeting) on Saturday 22 April 2000, in Miyazaki. PALM 2000 will be attended by 16 leaders of the SPF countries, and I am going to chair the meeting. PALM 2000 is the second of such leaders' meetings between Japan and the members of the South Pacific Forum, following the First Japan-South Pacific Forum Summit Meeting held in Tokyo in October 1997. At the meeting, existing and future challenges faced by SPF and Japan in this new era of globalization will be discussed, building upon the outcome of the last summit meeting. The SPF membership consists mainly of Pacific island countries with small land area and population, with the exception of such countries with advanced economies as Australia and New Zealand. These countries and territories have long suffered from unfavourable conditions inherent to island nations. As a result of globalization, they are now facing an increasingly severe international economic environment, as competition all over the world intensifies on a global scale. In addition, the impact of global issues such as climate change is looming over these islands. On the other hand, we should keep in mind that the Pacific islands are potential beneficiaries of globalization and the advancement, symbolized by the remarkable progress of the Internet, of information-based societies. At PALM 2000, we would like to put forward a bright and positive message regarding the future of the Pacific in the 21st century and the Japan-SPF partnership. In addition, it will be useful for Japan to listen directly to the voices of the leaders of the Pacific islands on this occasion, with a view to making use of this information when Japan chairs the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit in July. I also believe that PALM 2000 will be an excellent occasion for the leaders of SPF to develop an understanding of the diversity and cultural richness of Japan, through the warm hospitality of the people of Miyazaki. I strongly hope that PALM 2000 will contribute to the development of the heart-to-heart human relationships and mutual understanding between SPF and Japan, neighbouring islands in the Pacific. Yoshiro Mori
Prime Minister of Japan |
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Message from Governor of Miyazaki
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It is our pleasure to welcome the delegates from Pacific island countries to Miyazaki. In addition to being renowned for its wonderful natural environment, Miyazaki is also home to many attractions such as the world-class resortfacility Seagaia,a long history and culture that dates back to the mythical origins of Japan, and of course its warm-hearted people. We hope that you will fully enjoy these wonderful things that Miyazaki can offer and that your stay here will be a memorable one. We also hope that the second Japan-South Pacific Forum Summit Meeting will be fruitful. It is our wish that your coming to Miyazaki will be a good opportunity to strengthen the relationship between this prefecuture, which faces thePacific Ocean, and the participating Pacific island countries.
Suketaka Matsukata
Governor of Miyazaki |
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Message from Mayor of Miyazaki City
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Miyazaki City is favored by a mild climate and beautiful natural surroundings and has a feeling of the southern country. This city has many tourist resources, including Seagaia, a world-class convenstion and resort facility, and Aoshima Island. It is very significant and a great honor for the city of Miyazaki, which aims to be an international convention city and an international tourist and resort city, that the second Japan-South Pacific Forum Summit Meeting will beheld here. We,together with the citizens of Miyazaki, would like to welcome our guests from the Pacitic island countries wholeheartedly and hope that youwill enjwill enjoy the wouderful nature and culture of Miyazaki as well as the warmth of the people.
Shigemitsu TSUMURA
Mayor of Miyazaki City |
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