Regional Archive October 2011
NZ Press Ban Sets Dangerous Precedent - PFF
A ten day parliamentary ban on reporters from the largest daily newspaper in New Zealand sets a dangerous precedent for the rest of the region, warns the Pacific Freedom Forum.
Commonwealth Doors Open for Pacific Island Businesses
[Perth, October 28 2011] The Commonwealth Business Council (CBC) and Pacific Islands Trade & Invest (PT&I) this week signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together on business and investment opportunities between Forum Island Countries and Commonwealth nations.
Forging Linkages to Improve Value Chains for Pacific Small-Holders
A regional workshop to review strategies to improve the capacity of small-holders to integrate markets and improve market chains is being held in Nadi, Fiji this week, 24-25 October 2011.
Pacific Voice Raised at UNCCD COP 10
21 October 2011, Changwon Korea - Several Pacific island nations were given a special mention during the last meeting of the Asia Pacific Group at the 10th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, in Korea today.
Pacific Workshop on Improving Access to Finance for the Agricultural Sector
With the current global recession, funding and financing has become a major issue in the Pacific region.
Regional Workshop on Mapping Pacific Cultural Heritage Sites
Participants attending a sub-regional workshop on mapping cultural heritage sites along the Coral Coast in Sigatoka were informed of the significant role physical mapping plays in the preservation of endangered cultural heritage sites.
SPC and USP Commit to Increased Collaboration
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the University of the South Pacific (USP) today (Tuesday) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), committing to increased collaboration for the benefit of the Pacific region.
Fiji Ginger Sprouts New Roots
SPC assists with revival of industryKaiming Qiu believes in taking chances. The agro-entrepreneur recently opened a FJ$0.5 million processing facility in Navua, some 45 minutes outside the Fijian capital of Suva, which will produce powdered, crystallised and syruped ginger products for export markets.
Pacific Resources Not to be Taken for Granted
18 October 2011, Changwon Korea - Understanding the resources we have in the Pacific cannot be taken for granted has hit home for the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Forest of Fiji, Viliame Naupoto.
Pacific Ports Addressing Tomorrow's Challenges and Opportunities Today
Over 70 delegates are participating in the 36th Conference of the Pacific Maritime Transport Alliance (PMTA), which commenced in Suva, Fiji today.
Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Merge
Disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation merge to protect Pacific agriculture and forestry sectors
WHO Calls for Political Commitment to Tackle the Growing Mental Health Burden
MANILA, 13 October 2011-The World Health Organization (WHO) today called for stronger political commitment to address mental health problems, including increasing investments for mental health.
WHO Calls for Urgent Global Action to Combat Antimicrobial Drug Resistance
Manila, 12 October 2011-Amid threats that antibiotics and other essential medicines may lose their power to cure disease, countries in the Western Pacific Region today pledged to support the World Health Organization (WHO) in its efforts to fight drug resistance.
WHO to Reform to Meet Country Needs
MANILA, 10 October 2011- The World Health Organization (WHO) will undertake a comprehensive global reform plan to ensure the Organization stays aligned with its mission and keeps pace with evolving global health needs.
SPC is the Proposed Site for a New Regional Pesticide Registration Centre
The meeting was hosted by the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicine Authority (APVMA) at their offices in Kingston, Canberra. Pesticide registrars from Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu attended, as well as heads of research and CEOs. Solomon Islands were not able to send a representative.
New Caledonia Delegation Visits SPC Suva to Learn About Sustainable Land Management
A group of 17 community leaders and chiefs from New Caledonia recently visited the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) office in Nabua, Suva to learn about sustainable land management and conflict minimisation.
Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities
PRESS RELEASE - 4th October 2011 - The challenges and a new direction for including persons with disabilities in the Pacific region's education system will be discussed at a meeting of Pacific Islands Forum Directors of Education in Nadi, Fiji, 19 - 21 October.
Rakahanga Project: Cook Islands Accesses US$1 million from PEC Fund
PRESS STATEMENT - [3 October 2011, Rarotonga, Cook Islands] - Renewable energy is no longer an option, but an imperative for the Pacific region.
PINA 2012: Fiji Venue a Concern says PFF
Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS -- Updated arrangements for the Pacific Islands News Association biennial meeting have been welcomed by the Pacific Freedom Forum, but the regional media monitoring network is concerned over the potential pitfalls of hosting the event in Fiji.