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<b>From:</b> press-releases-bounces@lists.spc.int [mailto:press-releases-bounces@lists.spc.int]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>SPC Media<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, September 8, 2017 9:13 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> press-releases@lists.spc.int<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [SPC-News] COMMONWEALTH AND SPC SIGN MOU ON HEALTHCARE<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:105%">PRESSE RELEASE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:105%">Commonwealth and SPC sign MOU on healthcare<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%">8 September 2017</span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%">Apia, Samoa</span></b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%"> - An agreement signed today in
Apia, Samoa will strengthen cooperation between the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Pacific Community on healthcare.</span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%">The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Commonwealth Secretary General, Patricia Scotland, and Director General
of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Colin Tukuitonga.</span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%">Both are attending the 48<sup>th</sup> Pacific Islands Forum in Samoa.</span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%">“The Commonwealth welcomes the opportunity to work more closely with Pacific regional organisations, such as the SPC,
on Pacific priorities. Sharing our in targeted areas, makes very good use of our resources,” said Secretary General Scotland.</span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%">“There is no doubt about the leadership and commitment that our membership has shown towards the Pacific’s Healthy Islands
vision, thanks to the support of partners like the Commonwealth Secretariat,” said SPC’s Colin Tukuitonga. “I am confident we will see rapid progress towards that vision.” </span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%">The MOU aims to support member countries to achieve universal health coverage, and to address non-communicable diseases.</span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%">It links with the Commonwealth’s Pacific 2050 report on sustainable futures, and the Sustainable Development Goals in
the Pacific.</span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%">Both parties will explore opportunities of common interest, by leveraging their resources and networks. Examples may
include technical assistance to develop a regional legislative framework.</span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%">Other areas of cooperation cover policies in the fields of health, sports and education to promote healthy lifestyles
in children and young people.</span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%">There are also opportunities to develop joint funding proposals.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%">Contact:<br>
</span></b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:105%">Paula Vivili,<b>
</b>Director of Public Health Division at SPC, <a href="mailto:paulav@spc.int">paulav@spc.int</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%">About us:</span></b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%"><br>
The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, proudly supporting development since 1947. It is an international development organisation owned and governed by its 26 countries and territory members.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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