UNESCO organized, in cooperation with the Solomon Islands Government and National Commission for UNESCO and the Korean National Commission for UNESCO, a Sub-Regional Seminar for representatives of the Pacific National Commissions for UNESCO from 14 to 18 May 2013 in Honiara, Solomon Islands. This biennial event of Pacific Member States and National Commissions aimed to update knowledge, share experiences and enhance capacities of the latter, few months ahead of the next session of the General Conference in coming November.

14 National Commissions from South Pacific countries and Republic of Korea attended this event, which consists of 3-day consultation meeting and 2-day website development training. Mr Connelly Sadakabatu, Supervising Minister for the Ministry of Education and Minister of Development Planning and Aid Coordination of Solomon Islands and Mr Eric Falt, Assistant Director-General for External Relations and Public Information, jointly opened this seminar.

The participants had an opportunity to exchange views and share experiences on a number of important issues, such as action of Pacific National Commissions on the follow-up to the Action Plan and Recommendations proposed by the Tripartite Working Group and endorsed by the Executive Board, Preparation of the 37 C/4 and the 37 C/5 and Pacific priorities, cooperation among Pacific National Commissions, good practices in engaging with partners and networks in-country, preparation for 37th session of the General Conference, Participation Programme and emergency assistance, good practices on raising the visibility at country level.

The participants appreciated the usefulness and timeliness of the seminar and thanked the Solomon Islands' government for its warm welcome and generous hospitality, as well as the Korean National Commission for its continued support to Asia-Pacific National Commissions. They agreed to enhance their interaction with UNESCO Apia Office and coordination and cooperation among themselves, especially before and during the upcoming General Conference.