The Pacific Islands Forum has formally announced that its secretary general Greg Urwin has resigned, halfway through his second three year term.

Our Pacific correspondent Campbell Cooney reports Greg Urwin was appointed in 2003, the first Australian to hold the top position in its 37 year history.

At the time there were protests over the appointment, with some island nation leaders claiming then Australian Prime Minister John Howard, forced them to accept it, or face cuts in aid.

Under Mr Urwin the forum has had to deal with Fiji's fourth coup in 20 years, and has acted as a link between forum member nations and Fiji's interim government.

It's been criticised as being ineffective in this role, and is also facing calls for the secretariat office to be moved out of Suva.

Mr Urwin has citied medical reasons for his resignation, and it's understood he is recovering from major heart surgery conducted earlier this year.

Produced by Radio Australia and Australia Network