Regional Archive February 2010

The earthquake that shook the South American nation of Chile on Saturday caused a tsunami prompting a tsunami warning to be issued for 53 nations including countries in the region.

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and the Government of Japan are discussing a funding modality and management process for the implementation of the Pacific Environment Community (PEC) initiative endorsed by Forum Leaders and Japan at PALM5 held in Hokkaido last year.

PRESS RELEASE - 24th February 2010 - There has been steady and satisfactory progress recorded in the implementation of the Cairns Compact since it was endorsed by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders at their meeting in Cairns in August last year.

A delegation from the United Arab Emirates has launched a F$94.5million (US$50m) partnership program aimed at financing development projects in the region.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) (rated Aaa/AAA) and Daiwa Securities Group announced today ADB's planned issuance of its inaugural Water Bond to finance its work in the water sector in Asia and the Pacific.

Press Release - A four year regional waste management project funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) comes to an end in May this year, for which a terminal evaluation review was recently completed. The terminal evaluation report found that the purpose of the project has been significantly achieved.

Press Statement - 18th February 2010 - The Pacific Island Forum Countries (PIFCs) are to benefit from an Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) project which is aimed at capacity building and ICT policies, regulations and legislative frameworks in the Pacific Island countries (ICB4PAC).

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - A joint report by the United Nations and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) warns that the global economic crisis could trap an additional 21 million people in the Asia-Pacific region in extreme poverty, living on less than $1.25 a day.

Cyclones struck Tongatapu in Tonga and Aitutaki in the Cook Islands with heavy winds and rain damaging vegetation, properties and public utilities.

Press Statement - 12 February 2010 - Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade, today highlighted the importance of action, partnership and coordination to support Pacific Communities combat the continuing effects of the recent Global Economic Crisis on the region.

[Honiara, Solomon Islands - 11 February 2010] Press Release - The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat is pleased to be closely associated with the launch of a landmark first report on security sector governance in the Pacific.

Press Release - 10 February 2010 - The Fiji Government has misrepresented its human rights record in a report to the United Nations, Amnesty International said today.

The University of the South Pacific (USP) has partnered with four other overseas universities to improve distance education.

Fiji's new Crime Decree will be harsher on prostitution, penalizing not only those who make a living off prostitution but also those involved in prostitution-related activities.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) launched Our People Strategy today, a comprehensive human resources plan to recruit, retain, and develop the staff it needs to carry out its mission of reducing poverty and improving lives throughout Asia and the Pacific.

Press Release - World Wetlands Day, on the second day of February each year, marks the day the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was signed in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971.

Copenhagen Accord recycles old climate commitments, leaving the world heading for catastrophic climate change