Ministers draw up disaster game plan

The disaster-prone Pacific region will undergo a major stocktake of emergency aid supplies and beef up early warning systems ahead of the cyclone season.

Foreign ministers from the 16 Pacific Island Forum countries wrapped up official talks in Sydney on Friday, reflecting on lessons learnt from the recovery response to Cyclone Pam which flattened much of Vanuatu in March.

They agreed to set up a leadership program to mentor disaster experts and explore ways to work with the private sector to stimulate disaster-hit economies.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop called for the Pacific to unite over the shared natural disaster threat.

"We look out for each other," she told reporters.

Colin Tukuitonga, Secretariat for the Pacific Community director general, said more needed to be done to train island nations' disaster management agencies.

Vanuatu officials had been overwhelmed by the task at hand and the sheer number of aid groups on the ground, he said.

"They appreciated the generosity but said `Could you please give us some space so we can better organise ourselves and communicate what's required'," Mr Tukuitonga said.

"There's no shortage of people wanting to do good things but often it's not well planned and co-ordinated."

Amplifying the Pacific's voice on the world stage ahead of major climate change talks in Paris later this year was also on the meeting agenda.

Ms Bishop vowed Australia would go in to bat for the Pacific as a board member of the Green Climate fund and contributor of $200 million - $70 million of which was paid this week.

"Australia will ensure we do what we can to make sure our neighbours, our friends, our Pacific family get their fair share of the funding," she said.

There will be a workshop in Nadi, Fiji on July 29-30 to devise a wishlist for Pacific nations wanting to tap into the fund.

Australia would then take that feedback to the board meeting.

The meeting wrapped up with a spot of sports diplomacy.

Ministers met NSW Waratahs player Sam Lousi, who has Maori heritage, and Tolu Latu, who is Tongan, as well as Australian men's sevens players Peter Schuster, Pama Fou and Tongan Afa Pakalani.

Pacific leaders will head to Port Moresby in September for the Pacific Island Forum leaders summit.

KEY OUTCOMES OF FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING

* Stocktake of humanitarian supplies for rapid deployment in emergencies

* Strengthen regional and national hazard warning systems, including tsunami alerts

* Beef up pool of disaster experts

* More focus on post disaster economic stimulus measures involving private sector such as telecommunication companies, airlines, banks and food retailers

* Pacific nations to be more proactive about disaster recovery funding and look at measures such as contingency funds and insurance options

* Scheduling of an annual PIF foreign ministers' meetings.