Fiji, Sept. 8 -- Pacific Islands Forum Leaders have endorsed new regional measures on kava, fisheries and labour, including the establishment of a dedicated Regional Labour Ministers Meeting to strengthen coordination on workforce and labour mobility issues.

Leaders endorsed the KAVA Declaration, recognising kava as a unique Pacific cultural and economic asset and calling for stronger protection of its Pacific origins, traditional knowledge, cultural identity and heritage.

The declaration is intended to strengthen Pacific ownership of kava, expand value addition and market opportunities, and protect the interests of Pacific producers and communities as the product gains greater international trade exposure.

Leaders said the declaratio...