Regional Archive April 2008

BANGKOK, THAILAND - Many countries in the Asia-Pacific region may not meet all of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) due to gaps in several key areas according to a joint report by the United Nations and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The Tongan General Elections held last week saw a low voter turnout out of the 68,000 registered voters.

After six months without domestic air service, the Marshall Islands last week saw the first commercially scheduled flights by Air Marshall Islands.

Tuvalu has ratified the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA), joining other member countries in the region.

The Pacific Islands Forum will monitor the upcoming Nauru elections after the island nation made the request.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has decided to take some additional steps in the update of its environmental and social safeguard policies after having concluded this week a series of 13 consultation workshops across the Asia-Pacific region, North America and Europe.

Fiji's newly-appointed Elections Supervisor has withdrawn from the post amid controversy just days after the announcement of his appointment.

Fiji has finally appointed a new Elections Supervisor to help take the country towards democracy.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (16 April 2008) - The Government of Australia and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are piloting an innovative mechanism to support power sector reforms in Samoa.

During the agency's 10th annual Environmental Awards Ceremony in San Francisco, U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Wayne Nastri presented plaques to over two dozen organizations and individuals throughout the Pacific Southwest including one from American Samoa in recognition of their efforts to protect and preserve the environment in 2007.

Earlier this month, Turkey hosted leaders from the region in an effort to develop closer relations.

With Tuvalu showing signs of the effect of climate change, the rest of the Pacific is under the same threat which could lead to Pacific Islanders creating a new class of refugees.

Two Prime Ministers from the region met quietly in Fiji this week behind closed doors.

The tourist who was caught damaging one of the great statues of Rapa Nui has been fined thousands of dollars.

The University of the South Pacific (USP) paid more than $2m a year in salary for eight staff and this has raised concerns.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched Strategy 2020, a new long-term strategy for its vision of an Asia and Pacific region free of poverty.

The Pentecost Star is a four-page weekly newsletter that supplies the people of Pentecost with news and information and is completely handwritten.

Apparently, Pacific Islanders are not the only people who enjoy kava as a recent article states.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is expected to start producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) in 2013 or early 2014.

Reports of gold in South Pacific waters are attracting prospectors to the region. Meanwhile, a South Korean company has secured mineral exploration rights in Tonga.