and social matters

members-(27) American Samoa, Australia,
Cook Islands, Fiji, France, French Polynesia,
Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States
of Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, NZ, Niue,
Northern Mariana Islands, Trust Territory
of the Pacific Islands (Palau), Papua New Guinea,
Pitcairn Islands, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga,
Tuvalu, UK, US, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, Western Samoa

South Pacific Forum (SPF)

established-5 August 1971

aim-to promote regional cooperation
in political matters

members-(15) Australia, Cook Islands,
Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of
Micronesia, Nauru, NZ, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Solomon
Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Western Samoa
observer-(1) Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau)

South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement
(SPARTECA)

established-NA 1981

aim-to redress unequal trade relationship of Australia and New
Zealand with small island economies in Pacific region

members-(15) Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands,
Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, NZ, Niue, Papua New Guinea,
Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Western Samoa

Southern African Customs Union (SACU)

established-11 December 1969

aim-to promote free trade and cooperation
in customs matters

members-(9) Bophuthatswana, Botswana,
Ciskei, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Transkei, Venda

Southern African Development Community (SADC)

note-evolved from the Southern African Development Coordination
Conference (SADCC) established-17 August 1992

aim-to promote regional economic
development and integration

members-(10) Angola, Botswana, Lesotho,
Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania,
Zambia, Zimbabwe

Southern Cone Common Market (MERCOSUR)

established-26 March 1991

aim-regional economic cooperation

members-(4) Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay,
Uruguay

Statistical Commission

established-21 June 1946

aim-Economic and Social Council organization dealing
with development and standardization of national statistics of
interest to the UN

members-(25) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
Third World another term for the less developed
countries; the term is fading from use; see less developed
countries (LDCs)

underdeveloped countries
refers to those less developed
countries with the potential for above-average economic growth;
see less devel