Media - 37th Pacific Islands Forum

MEDIA GUIDELINES

INTRODUCTION:

Pacific Forum Leaders and representatives of 16 Pacific Island countries will converge at the Sheraton Resort, Denarau, Nadi, Fiji for the 37^th Pacific Islands Forum from Monday 23^rd, October – Saturday, 28^thOctober, 2006.

The Forum is one of the most important regional gatherings conducted on an annual basis where these regional countries come together to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern.

The 16 members are Australia, Cook Islands, Federated State of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands , Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

After the formal Forum session, a Post Forum Dialogue session with development partners will take place from Thursday 26, October to Friday 27, October. The meeting will be held at the Sheraton and Westin Resorts, Nadi.

The Post-Forum dialogue partners are Canada, People’s Republic of China, European Union, France, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, India, Thailand, Philippines, United Kingdom and the United States of America.

This media guideline sets information on the services available to you as the media representatives, throughout the duration of the Forum.

THE MEDIA:
As host, the Government of the Republic of the Fiji Islands has put into place arrangements to facilitate effective media coverage and presence.

Like similar meetings of such standing, the importance of providing the necessary publicity through the print and electronic media is highly recognized.

ACCREDITATION:
It is standard procedure that accreditation is provided for large conventions such as the Pacific Islands Forum. For facilitation purposes, the Fiji Government’s Ministry of Information and Communications is responsible for all accreditation for media access to the Forum.

Media accreditation forms are available from the Ministry of Information and Communications using the following contact address; email - bdolokoto@info.gov.fj Or telephone number: (679) 3211 305, (679) 3211 250 Or fax number: (679) 3305139

MEDIA PASSES:
Passes for the media are provided via the Media Accreditation Form. Individual representatives of media organisations are required to complete these forms and have them forwarded to the Media Secretariat at the Ministry of Information and Communications.

The pass will allow you as a media representative to access the Forum venue and more specifically the Media Centre to utilise the services available there. Those without a Media Pass cannot access the Media Center.

SECURITY:
The media will be able to access specific designated areas only. Any other area is out of bounds. To avoid problems with security personnel, it is required members of the media stay within the confines of the areas permitted.

TRANSPORT:
Shuttle buses will be provided from the major hotels to and from the Forum venue daily. A transport schedule will be provided in your media kit.

DRESS CODE:
Preferably appropriate formal attire on the first day for the Traditional Fijian Ceremonies of Welcome. For the duration of the meeting, you are encouraged to either wear a bula shirt – equivalent of the ‘Hawaiian aloha’ shirt for men, and women to wear the colourful sulu and jaba.

MEDIA CENTRE SERVICES:
The Forum Media Centre will be based within the confines of the Sheraton Resort, Denarau. This will be located at the Coco Palm Bure.

Opening hours: 8 am to 10 pm daily. (From Monday, October 23, – Friday October 27 and on Saturday, October 28 ( 8am – 1pm).

WHAT'S AVAILABLE:
Computers/printers (limited)
Wireless and High speed Internet access
Facsimile machines
Photocopying
Telephones (user pay)
Audio feed facilities
Internet ports – (for personal laptops)
Work tables
Documents – Speeches, press release etc.
Refreshments (user pays)
Video editing suite (user pays)

ACCOMMODATION:
Various ranges of accommodation are available in the Nadi area. The members of the media are requested to make their own accommodation arrangements.

PRESS BRIEFING:
A Press briefing will be conducted at the Forum Media Centre on Sunday 22^nd October at 5.30 pm to inform the media of upcoming events and security arrangements at the Forum Meeting.

BILATERAL TALKS/COURTESY CALLS:
Apart from the formal program of the Forum, there will be a number of bilateral talks, courtesy calls and meetings between various delegations. Such meetings are usually held with little prior notifications. Quick announcements and notices will be provided at the media center to alert photographers/camera people.

PRESS CONFERENCES:
Formal press conferences confirmed to date are that of the Chairman of the 37^th Pacific Islands Forum, Fiji’s Prime Minister, Hon. Laisenia Qarase.

Tuesday 24^th, October 5:30 pm at the retreat venue, Golf and Racquet Pro Shop Club, Sheraton Fiji Resort.

Wednesday, 25^th, October 1.00 - 1.15 pm at Forum Media Centre at Coco Palm Bure.

Media Briefings (to be confirmed) on Thursday and Friday after the Post Forum Dialogue.

Note: Snap press conferences are likely to be called by various leaders during the duration of the meet.

Contact: Mr. Prakash Narayan (Media Centre Co-ordinator) on phone (679) 3211740 or email: pnarayan@info.gov.fj

Or Mrs Bale Dolokoto or telephone ( 679) 3211 305 or email: bdolokoto@info.gov.fj
Fax contact: (679) 3305 139

1. Nadi Hotel (Location Nadi Town about 30 Mins from Sheraton Fiji)
PO Box 91, Nadi
Tel: 6700402 Fax: 6700280
Email: ndht@connect.com.fj

2. Sheraton Fiji Resort
Tel: 6750777 Fax: 6750818
sheratondenarau@connect.com.fj
www.sheraton.com

3. Tanoa International Hotel
Tel: 6720277 Fax: 6720191
tanoahotels@connect.com.fj