Why Japan is hosting the PALM summit being held?
Objectives of the PALM
summit

PALM 2003 has the following objectives:

• Assessment of the current cooperative relations

  The cooperative relations between Japan and the PIF countries so far will be evaluated once again, with reference to the previous two summits.

• Exploration of possible future cooperative fields

Talking into consideration of changes in the international situation since the previous summit, the participating leaders will discuss the future direction of mutual cooperation between Japan and the PIF. The following items are scheduled to be taken up, bearing in mind the problems facing the island countries:

Security
Trade and Investment
Environment
Education and Human Resources Development
Health and Hygiene

• Environment and education
  

  - Relationship with the World Summit on Sustainable Development -
      In particular, the environment and education and human resources development will be important issues. The participants will discuss the items included in the Koizumi Institute (Concrete Action by the Japanese Government to be taken for sustainable development), announced at the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2002 the focus of the discussion at the PALM will be how to apply this Koizumi Institute to the Pacific Island Countries and to forge a strategy for specific cooperation in the fields of the environment and education and human resources development.