Fiji, May 21 -- Pacific Islands Forum senior officials have begun work on a regional response mechanism to address the growing energy crisis linked to instability in the Middle East, following a decision by Forum Leaders to invoke the Biketawa Declaration earlier this month.

A special session of the Forum Officials Committee (FOC) was convened on 20 May and chaired by Symone Ubedei, Chief of the Division of Asia Pacific, Bureau of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of State from Palau.

The meeting focused on operationalising the regional response agreed by Pacific leaders amid concerns over the economic and energy impacts of the Middle East crisis on Pacific Island countries.

Senior officials discussed the structure and governance arr...