What is the PALM?
- An outline and history of the PALM summits -
The First ever Japan-South Pacific Forum (SPF) Summit Meeting which was nicknamed "PALM" (abbreviation of Pacific island Leaders Meeting) was held in Tokyo in 1997, at which a dialogue was established at the leaders level between Japan and the members of SPF (which was later renamed the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in October 2000). At the second summit, PALM 2000, held in Miyazaki in 2000, Japan announced the concept of "Pacific common Frontier Institute" based on three pillars (supporting Pacific islands Leaders Meeting Sustainable Development of the Pacific Islands, Regional and Global Issues of common concern, and strengthening the partnership between Japan and the Pacific Island Countries), as well as the Miyazawa Initiative to give concrete form to this concept. The Miyazaki Initiative represent a major guideline for Japan's diplomacy toward the Pacific Island Countries, and since then Japan has implemented them to further strengthen its relations with the Pacific Island Countries. The following is an outline of the third summit, PALM 2003, which is scheduled in May.
Outline of the Third Japan-PIF Summit Meeting
Date: May 16 and 17, 2003
Venue: Okinawa (Bankoku Shinryokan)
Participants: Heads of State or Governments and foreign ministers of Japan and PIF member countries and territories; (co-chaired by Japan & Fiji)
Okinawa and the Pacific Island Countries
Okinawa, which is the venue for PALM 2003, has rich maritime and cosmopolitan culture. Such culture is share-ed by the Pacific Island Countries, as well as they both are islands surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. Okinawa has been engaged in various exchanges with the region, including the holding of the Pacific Islands Academic Summit, which a number of academics from the island countries in the region attached. During the PALM 2003, various exchange programs are scheduled to take place between the people of Okinawa and PIF leaders, including welcome events, a luncheon hosted by the Governor of Okinawa, Mr. Inamine presentation of the traditional performing arts of Okinawa, and exhibitions by Okinawa-based nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and other institutions.
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