The problems affecting Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S.) are as far removed from the idyllic tropical holiday as the picture perfect postcard that is sent home by the tourist. But how does one capture in a photo for a postcard the rising seawaters that are affecting our aquifers, the increasing intensity of extreme weather events…
Two days before world leaders begin their weeklong conference on sustainable development in this Pacific island nation, mall island developing states have been inspired to follow the lead of countries like the Cook Islands, Kiribati and Palau in turning most if not a large part of their oceans marine reserves. And this development comes as…
A STRONG call for partnership has been echoed during the Youth Forum proceedings at the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in Apia, Samoa this week. Director General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Dr Colin Tukuitonga, said the Pacific has a greater challenge of more obese children than before…
FFA HQ, Honiara – Legal investigations are underway in Kiribati and Papua New Guinea with three vessels now potentially facing charges linked to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The vessels caught the attention of maritime authorities during the regional surveillance and enforcement Operation Island Chief across the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of PNG, Palau,…
Chair of the MSG and FLNKS Spokesperson, Victor Tutugoro and a senior member of the FLNKS Political Bureau Yvon Faua officially launched the First Trade Mission of the Melanesian Spearhead Group last week in Noumea, New Caledonia. In the presence of representatives of various institutions and companies from brother-countries around Melanesia who gathered in…
AP – New Zealand’s national airline on Wednesday posted a 45 percent increase in profit on slightly higher revenues. Air New Zealand announced an after-tax profit of $NZD 262 million (US$218 million) for the year ending June. Revenue was up 1 percent to NZ$4.7 billion. Chairman Tony Carter said in a statement it was the…
THE NATIONAL – A Papua New Guinea Cabinet Minister has directed the PNG National Broadcasting Corporation board and management to produce results by next month or face the consequences. Communication and Information Technology Minister Jimmy Miringtoro sounded the warning following the Auditor-General’s report on the State-owned radio and television station, which revealed cases of mismanagement…
RNZI: A spokesperson for a Tonga group that cares for families says the extension in the availability of pensions for the elderly is widely welcomed. This week people from the age of 70 up have been able to receive the TOP65 pa’anga (US$35), monthly payments from the Government’s National Retirement Benefits and Social Welfare Board.…
SAMOA’S Prime Minister Tupuola Sailele Malielegaoi and SIDS Coordinator Faalavaau Perin aSila ensured a high-level welcome to their country this week for a travelling tuna artwork produced by regional arts students in Fiji. The tuna artwork was presented to support UN SIDS visibility for Oceans and Fisheries by the current Forum Fisheries Chair, te Ulu…
IPS: AN international conference on small island developing states (SIDS), scheduled to take place in Samoa next week, will bypass a politically sensitive issue: a proposal to create a new category of “environmental refugees” fleeing tiny island nations threatened by rising seas. “It’s not on the final declaration called the outcome document,” a SIDS diplomat…