ACP, EU stands together on post-2015 development agenda

Seventy nine member states of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group and 28 members of the European Union declared their joint support for a strong overarching global framework that seeks to achieve poverty eradication and sustainable development, while also addressing the challenges and unique vulnerabilities of ACP countries. The declaration was endorsed at the…

PIDF signs agreement with environment group

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) entered into an agreement last Friday declaring their commitment to collaborate on initiatives related to sustainable development, particularly in advancing the concept of a green economy. PIDF and IUCN collaborated on several activities in the past year including the establishment…

PNG acts on illegal fishing warning

Papua New Guinea National Fisheries Authority has stepped up in its efforts to comply with the recent ‘yellow card’ issued by European Union to Papua New Guinea relating to illegal fishing in our waters. Last Thursday, the authority launched its inshore patrol craft Gabut in Vanimo, West Sepik, to protect the country against illegal fishing. …

Samoa’s tourism sector to receive $1million boost

The New Zealand Government has announced a $1 million investment into Samoa’s tourism sector. The announcement was made during Prime Minister John Key’s visit to the country earlier this month.Announcing the investment, Mr Key said, “This funding will help the Samoa Tourism Authority to upgrade a number of important visitor attractions, and improve information and…

More graduates from APTC

MORE than a hundred fifty (150) local students have successfully completed their training under the Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC) during a graduation cermeony last Thursday. This was by far the largest number to have graduated from the institution since the inception of the program. The graduation ceremony was attended by minister of education Dick Ha’amori,…

Trade expo work takes shape

Preparations for the upcoming trade expo in Honiara which is set to begin on the 6th of July 2014 is progressing well. The chairman of the trade expo Redley Raramo confirmed this on Sunday. “I’m pleased to confirm that work has progressed well over the past weeks and I must commend my committee members and…

‘Solomons just like Jamaica’

Members of the visiting group band from Jamaica, Inner Circle said they are keen to return to the country in the future. Speaking to local media and VIP guests at a press conference on Sunday at the Heritage Park hotel, the band’s drummer Lancelot said their coming back depends entirely on the promoters and the…

Online registry benefits region

SAMOA and Papua New Guinea (PNG) have joined the country in benefiting from the newly established online company registry. Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) private sector development initiative business law reform expert Aaron Levine fortnight ago spent time in Apia to work on the Samoan company registry to ensure it is operational. Speaking at the Pacific…

SPC and PIDF join hands for sustainable development

 (SPC), Nadi, Fiji –  The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Pacific Island Development Forum (PIDF) last week made a commitment to work together to address issues relating to sustainable development in the Pacific region. This follows the signing of a four-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) between SPC’s Director-General, Dr Colin Tukuitonga, and…