The Pacific Regional Non-Government Organisations (PRNGO) Alliance, including Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC), Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS), Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Greenpeace Australia Pacific (GPAP), and over 20 Pacific civil society organisations, questioned the agenda of the “blue growth” forum, arguing that the workshop emphasises sponsoring States, but only includes observer engagement with other Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS).

“As regional actors, this MOU formalises our commitment as an Alliance to coordinate and articulate Pacific peoples’ perspectives, ensuring there is recognition and engagement at regional to international policy platforms,” says Tau.