Regional Archive October 2008

A coconut crab discovered in Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is the largest in Pohnpei's history.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide assistance to Kiribati to help strengthen public financial management through long-term budget strategies and to improve the efficiency of public enterprises.

In the midst of global economic crises and escalating food prices, Pacific leaders are meeting in Parramatta, Australia next week to recommend strategies for Pacific Island consumers to get the most nutritional value for their food dollars.

The Forum Economic Ministers met in Port Vila, Vanuatu 27-29 October to discuss Food and Energy Security.

The Pacific Plan makes a significant contribution to helping the region improve strategic goals of economic growth, sustainable development, good governance and security.

Niue's representative to the 2008 Miss South Pacific pageant, Vanessa Marsh, was crowned the new Miss South Pacific on Saturday night in American Samoa.

The Pacific ACP States have reaffirmed their commitment to continue the negotiations of an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU) "as a single region" based on existing negotiating positions as agreed last March.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Developing Pacific nations must intensify their structural reform efforts to achieve sustainable economic growth and protect themselves from the global economic crisis, a new Asian Development Bank (ADB) study says.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Senior officials from six Asia-Pacific nations, whose territories include some of the most unique and threatened marine species in the world, are forging a comprehensive draft plan to protect these natural treasures.

The new Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade has called on Pacific ACP Trade Ministers to protect the integrity of the positions of the PACP States and retain the unity of the Group in the negotiations of the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union.

A research team on commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) and child sexual abuse (CSA) in Fiji has compiled a report that reveals the extent of sexual exploitation in the country with reports of the abuse of women and children and the factors that are enabling this disturbing trend.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - A new capacity development study for Pacific nations shows that sustained capacity development of people and organizations can lead to better service delivery and increased poverty reduction in the region.

A climate change meeting held in Samoa this week heard that climate change could force people in small islands to relocate to bigger countries.

At the second Heads of Pacific Islands Correction Conference that was held at the Forum Secretariat this week, it was revealed that youths are dominating the prisons population in almost all Pacific Island countries.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is helping Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu cope with high fuel prices and climate change by providing assistance to help reduce wasteful consumption of commercial energy and promote energy efficiency.

The High Court of Fiji dismissed deposed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase's challenge on the legality of the interim government in its ruling on Friday, declaring that the President's actions following the military take-over in 2006 was legal.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Samoa entered into a new Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) 2008 - 2012 which focuses on improved delivery of power, water, sanitation, and education services through private sector participation.

The newly appointed Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Mr Tuiloma Neroni Slade will start his three-year contract on 13th October.

Papua New Guinea's national security advisers revealed this week that refugees from a terrorist zone in Asia are paying to be smuggled into PNG.

Trade Ministers from the Pacific ACP countries will consider the recent developments in the negotiations of an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU) when they meet in Nadi, Fiji, 20 - 21 October.

Refugees from the West Papua who are currently living in Papua New Guinea have expressed that they wish to settle in Vanuatu, instead of PNG.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Tuvalu have entered into a new Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) that will support budget management and good governance.

The Pacific Nurses' Forum held in Fiji revealed that Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death in Fiji and the Pacific.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is helping Papua New Guinea (PNG) explore ways to improve trade and investment relations with Indonesia through its border town of Vanimo in West Sepik province.

Greenpeace yesterday launched an online database of fishing vessels involved in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and the companies that own them.

Digicel officially launched in Suva, Fiji, yesterday with massive giveaways and a free concert with international and local artists.

Petroleum and other energy experts will meet in Auckland on the 8 and 9 October in an effort to progress the regional bulk procurement of Petroleum initiative.