Regional Archive June 2008

Digicel, the Caribbean mobile operator currently expanding in the region is looking to acquire a $70million loan to fund its expansion in the region.

Australia's High Commissioner to Fiji has received another death threat, the third threat against the High Commissioner.

Apia, Samoa - As part of the upcoming Pacific Water Conference which will be held from 9 - 11 September 2008 in Apia, the Pacific Water Association (PWA) is involving the youth in promoting important water messages to the public.

SINGAPORE - Twelve organizations from across the Asia-Pacific region today launched a network to share solutions for improving water management to tackle the region's many pressing water challenges.

Senior policy makers from Forum Island Countries are to discuss with international experts and Pacific counterparts issues regarding the value of freedom of information (FOI) in the region at the Freedom of Information Workshop for Pacific Policy Makers to be held in Honiara, Solomon Islands, 30 June - 2 July 2008.

Investment of US$35 Million brings Competition and Choice to the South Pacific Island

SINGAPORE - Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Haruhiko Kuroda today unveiled a seven-point agenda to prioritize water investments in the Asia-Pacific region and said that the institution is committed to helping countries in the region boost new water investments to $20 billion to improve water security.

Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua and Taiwanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands, His Excellency George Chan jointly opened the Taiwanese Trade Show in Honiara yesterday morning.

Last week saw a historical deal in Papua New Guinea's history as landowners were given authority by their government to explore and develop their own oil and gas reserves.

Papua New Guinean police seized a container of counterfeit cigarettes in Port Moresby after two months of surveillance in an effort to stop the flow of counterfeit goods into the country.

Following Fiji's interim government's questioning of the Joint working Group's merit, Fiji has pulled out of the talks.

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat has explained that as a regional organization representing its 16 member countries it receives a lot of invitations to represent the region at international meetings around the world.

The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Secretary General, Sir John Kaputin, describes the unexpected and sudden death of the President of Bougainville, Joseph Kabui, as "a great shock".

Fiji's interim Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, has questioned the merit of the Forum-Fiji Joint Working Group following a recent travel ban.

Niue's parliament has elected Mr. Toke Talagi as its new premier yesterday morning.

The Working Group held its thirtieth meeting at the Forum Secretariat Headquarters in Suva on 12 June 2008, attended by senior officials from Australia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tuvalu.

Fiji's Immigration Director speaks in an interview about the social problem that plagues not just Fiji, but the entire region.

Three Papua New Guinean nationals have been knighted by the Queen for their outstanding contributions to society.

In response to the recent report by the US State Department, police in PNG, while admitting to the problem of trafficking, say that it is not as bad as the report portrays.

Fiji immigration has warned the public about an education scam that was uncovered when an Indian national was detained at Nadi International Airport, Fiji's main airport.

Fiji has assured the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Council of Ministers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, of its commitment to holding free and fair election in March 2009.

Kiribati has been trying to make the world aware of the situation global warming has put the island nation in. The question is whether, we, its regional neighbours, are really aware of Kiribati's situation and also aware of the fact that we could all possibly be headed towards the same predicament.

The 87th African, Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP) Council of Ministers Meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia opened today (June 9th) with the Group expressing concern about the way most aspects of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) have progressed.

The Pacific Islands Forum Regional Security Committee has concluded its two-day meeting at the Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji today with a retreat session to consider broader security issues in the region.

The 87th Session of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Council of Ministers starts today in Addis Abba, Ethiopia.

Transnational crime continues to be a human and economic threat in the Pacific and combating it remains a high priority for law enforcement agencies in the region.

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, warned his country's media about the consequences of their type of reporting at a conference this week.

Two fishing-free zones will be created in the region to combat over-fishing in these waters.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (3 June 2008) - Energy experts, policymakers, financiers, and project developers from across Asia-Pacific called for massive new investments in clean energy amid spiraling costs for oil and coal and the growing threat of climate change.

An investigator hired to look into allegations of corruption in the Fiji School of Medicine (FSM) has revealed instances of corrupt practice in the medical institution.

There is concern for Pacific Islanders losing their mother tongue in New Zealand due to a shortage of pre-schools for islanders.