Regional Archive May 2008

Bangkok, 30 May 2008: Greenpeace today challenged the world's tuna industry to prevent its own self-destruction, to ensure not only healthy fish stocks but to increase the long-term profitability of the industry.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an $11.3 million grant to improve urban infrastructure in Nuku'alofa, the capital of Tonga, as urbanization and population growth fuel demand for better infrastructure.

Fiji has selected its new Elections Supervisor after the previous selected candidate withdrew.

Pacific Islands Forum-Fiji Joint Working Group on the Situation in Fiji

Japan is preparing to open up its new embassy in the region, which will be in Tonga.

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat has been mandated to carry out a study on the idea of a Pacific Single Market and Economy (PSME).

The University of the South Pacific (USP) will commence construction on an Information and Communications centre following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Fiji and Japan.

Workers in the South Pacific could benefit from the 20,000 job opportunities which are expected to be generated as a result of the relocation of the United States military base from Okinawa in Japan to Guam.

The University of the South Pacific (USP) has appointed Professor Rajesh Chandra as its new Vice Chancellor.

Australia is planning to scrap the Pacific Solution for the asylum seekers who are still living in detention centers.

Forum Chair Expresses Serious Concern over Death Threats Received by Australian High Commissioner to Fiji.

The Australian High Commission in Fiji is on full alert and requesting the Fiji Government to allow Australian Federal Police officers in to be part of the security at the High Commission following the second death threat made to High Commissioner, James Batley.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Even poor countries can afford basic social protection like financing health care, cash transfers to the poor, and elderly and child protection.

Six countries in the region are working on their submissions to the United Nations (UN) to claim extra ocean space.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - High oil prices are already a concern in the Pacific region, but the recent surge in world food prices has yet to be fully felt in the Pacific, according to a new Asian Development Bank (ADB) study, "Living with High Prices".

Popular reggae star, Shaggy, arrived in Tonga on Wednesday for his concert to mark Digicel's launch in the island kingdom.

The Working Group held is twenty-eighth meeting at the Forum Secretariat Headquarters in Suva on 8 May 2008, attended by senior officials from Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tuvalu.

A meeting between Fiji's interim Prime Minister and media executives revealed that the country's media could be in danger of being shut down if relations between the interim regime and the media are not mended.

The Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele has announced the intention of the Forum Secretariat's Secretary General, Greg Urwin to resign from the position on medical grounds.

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat released the following press statement on the eve of World Press Freedom Day.

Airline seat capacity between the two island nations is expected to increase following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) yesterday.

MADRID, SPAIN - Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Haruhiko Kuroda announced $500 million in immediate budgetary support to tackle rising food costs in Asia-Pacific region and pledged to double lending to $2 billion for agriculture in 2009.

MADRID, SPAIN - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is set for a change in the way it serves its developing member countries in a rapidly evolving and dynamic Asia-Pacific region, ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda said at the official opening of the organization's 41st Annual Meeting in Madrid today.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is establishing a new fund to slow the onset of climate change and to help the Asia-Pacific region adapt to the expected devastating impact of global warming.

The Democratic candidate in the running for the American presidential elections, Barack Obama, won Guam's nomination in the weekend.

MADRID, SPAIN - A new magazine launched by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will help raise awareness and understanding of development issues and challenges concerning the Asia and Pacific region.

MADRID, SPAIN - The Asian Development Bank will provide immediate budgetary support to the hardest hit countries in Asia and the Pacific to alleviate their fiscal burdens and cushion the impact of rising food prices on the poor and vulnerable, says ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda.

MADRID, SPAIN - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has secured US$11.3 billion for the next four-year phase of its concessional development fund to fight poverty in the Asia and Pacific region - a significant jump of over 60% from the previous period.

The publisher of Fiji Times who was deported by Fiji's interim government was flown to Korea yesterday morning.

Fiji's High Court has issued an order stopping the deportation of Fiji Times Publisher.

In another controversial move, Fiji has deported another newspaper publisher in a similar manner in which Fiji Sun publisher, Russell Hunter, was removed in February.