THE first and historical summit between the 21 Arab League countries and 12 Pacific Island States was devoted to "Prospects for Cooperation between the Arab world and the Pacific Islands" and held in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th June, 2010. It was a unique and historic occasion for dialogue between the League of Arab States and the Pacific Islands, sharing perspectives on the current and future challenges faced by the respective regions.

The summit commenced with opening notes from the UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan; statement by Amr Mussa, Secretary General of the Arab League; and an address by HRH The Crown Prince Tupouto'a-Lavaka of the Kingdom of Tonga. It was attended by leaders, Ministers, Ambassadors and senior officials from 12 Pacific Island countries plus Australia and New Zealand. From the Arab World were leaders plus Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Ministers of Economic Developments and Ambassadors and senior officials of 21 Arab countries.

The UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, chaired the meeting stressed the importance of developing commercial, economic and investment relations between the two sides. He added that there is a need to focus on boosting trade exchange and setting strategies for mutual benefits. Sheikh Abdullah gave an overview on the investment opportunities available in the UAE. He referred to the country's robust and diversified economy and called on the companies in the Pacific countries to leverage partnerships with UAE businesses in industrial, service and in the technology domains.

This meeting created the foundation for a strong friendship and cooperation framework between the Pacific island states and the countries of the Arab world and follows in the footsteps of the Pacific Islands Partnership Programme (PPP) launched earlier this year, initially, committing 183 million dirham (US$50 million) to finance specific projects and partnerships in the Pacific Islands in key development areas, including climate change, security, renewable energy, education, tourism, water resources, food security, social and health care services as well as infrastructure.

The Pacific Island states noted the concern of Arab states regarding the conflict in the Middle East, in particular Palestine. The two sides also called on Iran to respond to the initiative of the UAE and the effort of the Arab countries to find a solution on the occupation of the three UAE islands.

The meeting concluded with a communique marking the conclusion of the two-day conference, and in order to translate cooperation into tangible achievements, the two parties agreed on several strategic steps, including :-
- Establishing a forum for cooperation and coordination between the member countries of the Arab League and the Pacific Islands, the general secretariat of which will be in the UAE (Abu Dhabi), in coordination with the Arab League.
- The Arab League to send within the next 12 months, an official delegation to the Pacific Island Developing States region to discuss ways of cooperation, followed by opening an office representing the Arab League at one of the Pacific States covering the whole region.
- Devising a guiding framework or a document for development and cooperation between the two parties in all fields: economic, cultural, educational, political and environmental.
- A meeting of Arab League states and the Pacific States to meet within 12 months with a view to formulating a five year programme of action to deepen cooperation between the two regions.

Leading the Tonga Delegation to this important Summit was HRH The Crown Prince Tupouto'a-Lavaka, Ambassador-designate of the Kingdom of Tonga to the UAE; and accompanied by:-
- HRH Prince Viliami Tuku'aho, Executive Assistant, Tonga High Commission, Canberra;
- Mr. Busby Kautoke , Chief Secretary & Secretary to Cabinet, Prime Minister's Office;
- Mr. Viliami Malolo, Deputy Representative of Tonga to the United Nations, New York; and
- Mr. Kilismasi 'Aho , Acting First Secretary, Tonga High Commission, Canberra. PMO, 29/06/10.