Members of the Pacific Islands Forum have been urged to pass appropriate laws and regulations to empower persons with disabilities in the region.

The first scholarships under the China-Pacific Islands Forum Scholarship Scheme have been awarded to nine students from four countries in the region.

The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has been commended for its success as a regional initiative of the Pacific Islands Forum since it started in July 2003.

14 May 2009 - Foreign Minister Murray McCully leaves for Brussels on Saturday for New Zealand's regular six-monthly consultations with the European Union, before travelling to Japan.

7 MAY 2009 - A number of Pacific Trade Ministers, including the Pacific's lead spokesperson for free trade discussions with Australia and New Zealand, will be absent from a regional trade meeting scheduled for this weekend.