Regional Archive April 2009

Swine Flu a Concern for the Pacific as Suspected Cases Emerge in Australia

Swine flu is increasingly becoming a concern for the region with confirmed cases in neighboring New Zealand and now suspected cases in Australia.

ADB to Boost Economic Management in Pacific to Help Region Cope with Crisis

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will assist the Pacific region to improve economic management and in doing so will help the region weather the impacts of the global economic crisis.

WHO Cautions Pacific Islands on Swine Flu

The flu epidemic that is severely affecting Mexico and spreading to other parts of the world is highly likely to also reach the region, the World Health Organization (WHO) has cautioned.

Samoa Government to Sue TVNZ

In the ongoing issue regarding a news story of a drugs and guns culture in Samoa by Television New Zealand (TVNZ), the government of Samoa has announced that it will sue TVNZ.

Energy Exposes Vulnerability of Pacific Island Countries

Press Statement - The question of energy, like no other, gives full exposure to the vulnerability of Pacific Island Countries.

Ambassador Ma'ahanua Co-Chairs Important ACP-EC Meeting in Brussels

Solomon Islands Ambassador to the European Union, His Excellency Mr. Joseph Maáhanua, successfully co-chaired with his Czech Republic counterpart, the 59th Session of ACP-EU Committee of Ambassadors in Brussels, Belgium, on Friday.

Assessing Potential Oil Spills from WWII Wrecks in the FSM

Press Release - Oil, chemicals and unexploded ordinance from an estimated 800 World War II Wrecks throughout the exclusive economic zones of Pacific Island countries and territories pose imminent danger to people, environment and fisheries of the region.

NZ Reporter Defends Samoa Criminal Report in Affidavit

TVNZ reporter, Barbara Dreaver, whose report on Samoa's alleged drugs and guns culture has caused controversy in and out of the island nation, has denied allegations that her story was staged and that the individuals in the report were actors and misled about the story.

Amnesty International Warns of Deteriorating Human Rights Situation in Fiji

20 April 2009 - An Amnesty International expert who has just completed a fact-finding mission to Fiji warns that the human rights situation in the country is getting worse by the day and the civilian population is living in fear as a result of draconian measures implemented by the military regime.

ADB President Welcomes ADB, World Bank Joint Field Presence in Tonga

NUKU'ALOFA, TONGA - Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Haruhiko Kuroda and Mr. Sun Vithespongse, Executive Director of the World Bank for Tonga, today officially opened a World Bank-ADB joint field presence in Nuku'alofa, Tonga.

Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change Programme Underway

Press Release - After several years of planning and preparation, a US $13.125 million climate change adaptation project is now underway in the Pacific region.

Media Workshop Provides New Script for Reporting on Climate Change

BEIJING, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) have concluded a week-long workshop in Beijing to raise awareness through the media about the impacts of climate change on the region.

Update: Fiji Military Tightens Grip on Media

The military in Fiji has tightened its grip on the country's media which started with newsrooms around the country being monitored and articles deemed critical of the president and military being pulled and this has escalated to the deportation of foreign journalists in the country.

Discussion Over Criminal Report on Samoa

A report by Television New Zealand of allegations of a criminal culture in Samoa has generated shocked responses from within and outside of Samoa. However, TVNZ is standing by its report.

Leave Media Alone: PINA

The Pacific islands News Association, PINA has called on the newly established interim government of Fiji to leave the media alone to continue to perform its role of information dissemination to the people of Fiji and the region.

ADB Welcomes Opening of Companies Registry Office in Solomon Islands

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) welcomes the opening of the new Companies Registry Office.

Update: Fiji President Reappoints Coup Leader as PM

Fiji's president, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, has reappointed coup leader and military commander, Voreqe Bainimarama, as the country's Prime Minister after abrogating the country's constitution and imposing emergency rule last week.

Update: Fiji Under Emergency Rule

Fiji's President and self-appointed Head of State has put in place the Public Emergency Regulations 2009, effectively putting the country under emergency rule.

Update: Fiji's President Abrogates Constitution

Fiji's President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, has abrogated the country's constitution and made himself Head of State following the ruling by the country's Court of Appeal that the current interim government is illegal.

Fiji Now Without a Government

Fiji is now without a government and awaiting the President's next course of action following yesterday's ruling by the Fiji Court of Appeal that the dismissal of Fiji's deposed Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase, was unlawful.

Solomon Islands' New Transport Law to Improve Services, Safety: ADB

Two new transport laws in the Solomon Islands, that are designed to improve services and safety, have been welcomed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Claims of Drugs, Guns and Criminal Culture in Samoa

Claims of a growing drugs and gun culture in Samoa, along with claims that the country is a dumping ground for criminals has led the police in the country to start an urgent investigation.

New Book to Boost Human Rights in the Region

The launch of a new book on human rights law is expected to help the region in addressing issues regarding various human rights cases in the region.

7 Countries in the Region Form Pacific Cruise Group

Seven countries around the region have joined together to form the Pacific Cruise group.

Pacific Whale Watching Guidelines Now Available

Press Release - Pacific guidelines for whale and dolphin watching have been launched on the eve of the first International Conference for Marine Mammal Protected Areas in Maui, Hawaii.

Tonga's Steaming Crater Lake Attracts its First Visitors

The steaming crater lake that resulted from the massive eruption of an underwater volcano in Tonga's Hunga Ha'apai has attracted its first visitors when a group of four landed on the newly-formed peninsula of the island.

Strengthening Customs Services through Regional Approaches

Press Statement - Delegates from across the region gathered this week to review the findings of a draft feasibility study on regional approaches to targeted customs services in Forum Island Countries.

Forests in Carbon Markets would Derail Climate Action: Greenpeace Report

Bonn, Germany - Including forest protection measures in carbon markets would crash the price of carbon by 75% and derail global efforts to tackle global warming, according to a new report commissioned by Greenpeace.