75th Anniversary of the First World Philatelic Exhibition

Serbia Post issued a postage stamp to commemorate 75th anniversary of the First Word Philatelic Exhibition

First earthly philatelic exhibition (ZEFIB) was held in Belgrade from 12 to 29 September 1937 in the organization of Yugoslav philatelic union, which had at that time 26 members (companies) with 1150 registered philatelists. The exhibition was held in the building of the new University (Philology faculty today) on the King's square number 3 (Student's square today), while the grand opening was held at the big hall of the old University (Captain Misa's building) with the great number of guests, ministers, ambassadors and king's emissary.

150 exhibitors participated in the exhibition, of that 70 from Yugoslavia and 80 from abroad: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Egypt, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Hungary, Germany, Poland, USA, France, Holland, Czechoslovakia and Switzerland, which made this exhibition international. Pursuant to the Exhibition Regulations, it was allowed to exhibit: "state issued postage stamps of all kind, units, imprints, documents from pre-philatelic period, stamps of local and private post offices, telegraphic and railway stamps, drawings, essays, proofs, counterfeits, fantasy stamps, literature, philatelic kit and other objects related to philately". At the end of the exhibition gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded, and within the exhibition the exchange of stamps was organized according to the special Regulations.

Indian Theme on foreign stamps… Indian Flag

                                                                                                - Kenneth Sequeira

The Pacific Islands Forum 

  

 

The Pacific Islands Forum is an inter-governmental organization that aims to enhance cooperation between the independent countries of the Pacific Ocean. The Pacific Islands Forum was founded in 1971 as the South Pacific Forum. In 2000, the name was changed to the Pacific Islands Forum to better reflect the geographic location of its members in the north and south Pacific.

The Pacific Islands Forum is a political grouping of 16 independent and self-governing states. 
Members include Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshal Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

New Caledonia and French Polynesia, previously Forum Observers, were granted Associate Membership in 2006.

Forum Observers include Tokelau, Wallis and Futuna , the Commonwealth , the United Nations, the Asia Development Bank , the World Bank , the ACP Group , American Samoa , Guam  and the Commomwealth of the Northern Marianas , with Timor Leste as Special Observer .

Since 1989, the Forum has held Post Forum Dialogues with key Dialogue Partners at Ministerial level. There are currently 14 partners – Canada, People’s Republic of China, European Union, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, United Kingdom and the United States.

Mission is to ensure the effective implementation of the Leaders’ decisions for the benefit of the people of the Pacific.

Goals are to stimulate economic growth and enhance political governance and security for the region, through the provision of policy advice; and to strengthen regional cooperation and integration through coordinating, monitoring and evaluating implementation of Leaders’ decisions.

In 2012, Cook Islands (22nd Aug) & Kingdom of Tonga (31st Aug) released 2 sheetlets of 30 stamps. One having the flags of the 16 members & one having the flag of the 14 dialogue partners including the India Flag.

The QR Code (Bar code) when scanned with a smart phone will take you to the official Forum website. This feature is present only on the Cook Islands sheetlet.

The official coin for the forum is also depicted on the sheet.  This feature is also present only on the Cook Islands sheetlet.

The centre image of 4 pieces of puzzle fit together . Each piece has a verbiage making the 4 pillars of the forum that's crucial to help strengthen the countries.

These Sheetlets, FDC can be purchased at www.cookislandsstampbureau.com  & www.tongastamp.com  or email: lazar@philateliccollector.com

- Kenneth Sequeira - email : kenneth.sequeira@hotmail.com