Regional Archive March 2008

The economic performance of several Pacific countries is improving, but greater reforms are needed if they are to reach their full potential, according to Pacific Economic Survey 2008.

On Saturday, Fiji joined other countries around the world for Earth Hour and was overwhelmed by the support from around the country.

Fiji's Interim Prime Minister has had to defend his stand in the China-Tibet issue after mounting criticism and allegations of supporting abuse of human rights.

Chilean police are holding a tourist from Finland who was caught damaging one of the famous giant statues of Rapa Nui.

A ministerial contact group has been formed to monitor Fiji's moves towards elections following the lack of progress seen so far.

The United Nations' Statistical Yearbook for Asia and the Pacific 2007 has placed Palau as the highest tourism earning country in the Asia-Pacific region in terms of contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

While mining is set to begin on the Tongan seabed after valuable minerals were discovered there, a discovery on a Fijian village seashore has villagers testing for oil.

Australia's new parliamentary secretary for Pacific Islands Affairs, Duncan Kerr, outlines his country's approach to maintaining its relationships within the region.

There have been reports of unrest in the University of the South Pacific (USP) campus in Suva, Fiji, as a result of issues between student and the Registrar.

Two tsunami detection buoys were positioned in the region earlier this month, completing the U.S tsunami warning network.

14 March 2008 - The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) will strengthen its Pacific Operations Centre as part of its campaign to provide greater support for the region's island nations, which are facing critical development challenges given their size, relative isolation and vulnerability to climate change.

The Australian government has set up a fund to help promote and protect human rights in developing countries, which includes Pacific countries.

Reports of human rights abuse from around the region has tarnished the region's paradise-like image.

Well-known New Zealand group, Te Vaka, took the sounds of the region to Chinese-administered Macau.

New Zealand's Fisheries Minister has said that progress has been made in negotiations to protect the Pacific's fisheries.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice-President Ursula Schaefer-Preuss today called for more funding for projects that will reduce the adverse impact of climate change in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Government of Japan provided financial contribution of approximately US$ 184 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.