The University of the South Pacific (USP) Convention, which legally embeds the university in member countries, was signed by eight country governments including Tonga at the USP’s 84^th council meeting in Majuro, Republic of Marshall Islands on 25 May.

Cook Islands Prime Minister, Hon Henry Puna said the Convention was a very important document for USP.

“It is a historic occasion that we are signing the USP Convention and I am pleased to be signing it on behalf of my Government. USP embodies all our hope in preparing students for the future.”

 “What it achieves is the legal certainty in terms of USP in all of its member countries and everything is on a solid footing. I think the charter is a wonderful document and I am glad that it has been signed in my term as the Chancellor,” he said.

Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council, Winston Thompson said the signing of the Convention will resolve ambiguities that have arisen regarding the legal status and operation of the University in each of the member countries.

The Convention adds to the University’s founding legal instruments of the Royal Charter and Statutes in 1970 and confirms the operation of the University in each member country.

It also does not grant any additional rights to the University in relation to operations in any member country jurisdiction and will be locally enacted.

The USP Convention was signed by the USP Chancellor and Prime Minister of Cook Islands, Honorable Henry Puna, followed by the Education Minister of each country including, Hon Jean Pierre Nirua from Vanuatu; Hon Alexander Teabo of Kiribati; Hon Vodrick Detsiogo of Nauru; Hon Penisimani ‘E. Fifita of Tonga; Hon Loau Keneti Sio of Samoa; Hon Wilbur Heine of Republic of Marshall Islands; and Hon Fano Mativa of Tokelau.

The convention is to be formally ratified by all member countries as part of the USP’s 50th Anniversary celebrations in 2018.