Regional Archive November 2009

Media Release - A regional workshop on the Cairns Compact held in Nadi, Fiji, 26 - 28 November has resulted in a greater understanding of the scope and implications of the Compact endorsed by Forum Leaders at their meeting in Cairns last August.

Miss Fiji was crowned the new Miss South Pacific on Saturday night in Fiji's capital, Suva, bringing the week-long festivities to an end.

Press Statement - Senior officials from Pacific Islands Forum countries, regional organisations, development partners and other stakeholders will discuss the Cairns Compact on Strengthening Development Coordination in the Pacific at a regional workshop to be held in Nadi, Fiji, 26-28 November.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched a new approach to improve its development efforts in the Pacific.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Low-lying Pacific island countries, which are among the most vulnerable in the world to climate change, are stepping up efforts to counter the threats posed by rising sea levels and extreme weather events.

This year's Miss South Pacific Pageant opened in Fiji over the weekend in the capital, Suva.

Press Release - Pacific delegations are angered by suggestions that the UN Climate Change Meeting in Copenhagen will lead to a political declaration instead of an international legally binding agreement.

The University of the South Pacific (USP) has been recognized as the leading provider of quality business education in the Pacific.

Press Relese - The 20th Annual meeting of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) opened in Samoa amidst a tribute to the Pacific nations struck by the tsunami, spiritual inspiration and an embracing of Samoan culture.

A marine iguana which has been causing fear among inhabitants of an island in Fiji is currently being studied by experts who have said that it is a rare species of iguana.

Press Release - PACIFIC ISLANDS, MONDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2009: The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) today launched the Pacific Islands Regional Plan of Action (PI-RPOA) on Sharks*.

The Commission of Inquiry underway in Tonga into the tragic sinking of the MV Princess Ashika in Tongan waters has revealed grim details about the ship's condition and the voyage that resulted in the loss of 74 lives.

Media Release - The Forum Economic Ministers have strongly emphasized the importance of the Cairns Compact on Strengthening Development Coordination in the Pacific to better coordinate and harmonise aid management in the region.

A prominent academic in the region was reportedly taken into detention and interrogated and then forced to leave Fiji for comments regarding the expelling of New Zealand and Australia's high commissioners from Fiji.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - A recent increase in Australian and New Zealand tourists to Pacific island countries has raised hopes the region's vital tourism industry is recovering after being buffeted by the global financial crisis, according to a new Asian Development Bank (ADB) publication.

The Australian Government has expelled Fiji's top diplomat in response to a decision by the country's military leaders to declare Australia's High Commissioner persona non grata.

Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, Fiji's military commander has ordered the high commissioners of Australia and New Zealand to leave the country.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced a new video competition - My View: The Asia-Pacific Climate Change Video Contest - to promote awareness of climate change, stimulate debate, and encourage climate change solutions in the lead-up to the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

SHANGHAI, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA - With more than one billion people in the Asia and Pacific region expected to join the urban population in the next 20 years, sustainable economic development is not possible without sustainable urbanization, said a senior official from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

TOKYO, JAPAN - The Asia and Pacific region must invest between $7 trillion and $9.7 trillion in the energy sector from 2005 to 2030 to meet the rapidly growing demand for energy in the region, according to a new report released by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The University of the South Pacific (USP) is going to make Climate Change a compulsory subject for all of its students from next year.