Regional Archive August 2008

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Dr. Derek Sikua has said that he would want to see dialogue regarding the Fiji Situation to continue, but the final position of the Forum would be very much determined by what happens in the months ahead.

Greenpeace launched its Forests for Climate tour in Papua New Guinea this week with a colorful welcome of beating drums, singing and dancing.

Delegates from across the region gathered this week to deliberate on key economic regulation, fiscal reform and financial sector issues in the Pacific.

A new snake species has been found in Fiji and according to a conservation organization, the species has not been found anywhere else in the world.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Papua New Guinea will draw up a detailed plan to improve power supply in the country where 90% of the population still has no electricity.

Paulo Kautoke from Tonga will represent the Pacific as the new Pacific Trade Representative at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland.

HONG KONG, CHINA - In a report released today, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) offers a new way to measure poverty in the Asia and Pacific region.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is to help Pacific countries come up with ways of cushioning the impact of high prices on the poor.

Regional leaders at the 39th Forum Leaders Summit called for help against global warming, resulting in a planned formation of a climate change center.

Pacific Islands Forum Leaders who met in Niue in the last two days for the 39th Forum have honoured the late Greg Urwin, the former Secretary General of the Forum Secretary who passed away on 9th August after several months of illness.

There has been a report from Vanuatu that local police there managed to foil an attempted coup which would have destabilized the country's national security.

39th PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM LEADERS RETREAT STATEMENT ON THE SITUATION IN FIJI, MATAVAI RESORT, NIUE, 20th AUGUST 2008

The race for the Secretary General of the Forum will be an interesting one.

During the Forum Leaders' Retreat at the Matavai Resort, Alofi, Niue, a number of important issues were raised before the Leaders for their deliberation and decision.

Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, Asian Development Bank President Haruhiko Kuroda and World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick yesterday launched a new Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility.

Four countries in the region are to be part of the new proposed Australian Guest Worker Scheme.

The Samoan community in San Diego celebrated their culture on Saturday with their annual Samoan Day Festival.

Fiji has announced that it will not be represented at the next Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting blaming New Zealand for the decision.

A list of top 10 South Pacific hidden hotel gems issued by American travel company, TripAdvisor, has named the Etu Moana resort on Aitutaki in the Cook Islands as number one.

The Chairman of the Pacific Islands Forum and Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon. Feleti Sevele has paid tribute to the late Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat who passed away in Apia, Samoa on Saturday night after being ill for the last eight months.

It is with great sadness that the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the Pacific Islands Forum family, announces the passing away of the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Mr Greg Urwin in Apia, Samoa on the night of Saturday 9th August.

Due to a lack of resources, we have been unable to cover all events in the previous weeks, including the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts in American Samoa and the Coronation of His Majesty King George Tupou V in Tonga. However, the Regional News section will resume in the coming days.

Three Nominations Received for Secretary General of Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat