Dame Meg Taylor

Secretary General Dame Meg Taylor addressed journalists at a pre-forum media workshop hosted by the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA).  

She emphasised the importance of this year’s theme for the 49th Pacific Islands Forum hosted in Nauru - Building a strong Pacific: “Our People – Our Islands – Our Will”.  

Dame Taylor says it’s a call for the region to realise its significance in the world, being the largest ocean state.  

This statistics was revealed by Secretary General for Pacific Islands Forum Leaders, Dame Meg Taylor.

“We need to ensure that the foundation for justice remains in society,” she said.

Violence against women is a current issue that is prevalent in the region and a collective effort is needed to address it.

“It’s disturbing that two out of three women experience violence by an intimate partner,” Dame Meg said.

In Papua New Guinea, Gender based violence remains a challenge in achieving gender equality.

Tayor said the late Janet was an aggressive and enthusiastic supporter of the financial empowerment of women in PNG.

Taylor said this when acknowledging the progress PNG has made in making finance accessible for women.

She highlighted the establishment of the Women in Business which the late Janet Sape was an integral founder.

“I commend Papua New Guinea Women in Business which has established itself as a voice for all women in this country, particularly the most marginalized.

The PIF observer team to arrive in the country this week will comprise of Solomon Islands Electoral Commissioner Taeasi Sanga, Nauru Electoral Commissioner Joseph Cain and Tonga Electoral Commissioner Pita Vuki.

The mission will be supported by staff from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

The 14 days of nationwide polling will begin on June 24.

PIF Secretary General, Dame Meg Taylor, said the Forum was pleased to accept the invitation from the Government of Papua New Guinea.

Juffa said since its creation, the PIF which is primarily funded by Australia, has been nothing more than an entity that pushes Australian economic and political agenda.

However, Juffa said the appointment of Dame Meg Taylor as the General Secretary for PIF has somewhat changed everything.

He said Dame Taylor has actually given true relevance to the organization and has encouraged greater participation by peoples of the pacific and their governments’ and has refused to be a mere puppet entity pushing neocolonial visions and fantasies.

“I would like to thank everyone who made a submission this year, as your efforts show that there is a strong appreciation and appetite for Pacific Regionalism. They also show an understanding of the benefits that can come when Forum countries cooperate and collaborate to address the big issues and interests that we face and can share together.” said Secretary General of the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat and Chair of the Specialist Sub-Committee on Regionalism, Dame Meg Taylor.

Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Dame Meg Taylor told the graduands to “always be curious and prepared to learn more”.

Dame Meg was one of the guest speakers at the graduation in Lae last Friday. She was also awarded an honorary doctorate of technology by Unitech on the day.   

“It is the very purpose of designing knowledge that changes humans to be creators, inventors and innovators,” Dame Meg told close to 1000 graduands.

Unitech’s pro chancellor Dame Rose Kekedo said as Unitech celebrates its Golden Jubilee this year, it was most opportune that the university gives its highest honour – doctor of technology, honoris causa – to Dame Taylor in recognition of her services to PNG and the world for 43 years.

“I present to you Dame Meg Taylor as an outstanding advisor, technocrat, diplomat and an example for all,” Dame Rose said when presenting Dame Meg to the university chancellor Sir Nagora Bogan.

The Pre-Forum FOC will recommend key agenda items for Leader’s consideration when they meet in Port Moresby on 7-11 September, 2015.

“A significant point of discussion for the officials is the new Framework for Pacific Regionalism that facilitates regional priority setting and focuses political decision making on important issues that are relevant to the region,” explained the Secretary General, Dame Meg Taylor.