Pacific Islands

Combating human trafficking in the Pacific islands was the focus of a three day regional workshop held from April 23-25 in Nadi, Fiji. The workshop was organised by the United States Embassy based in Suva who invited the participation of 27 legal officials, prosecutors, customs and immigration officers from Tonga, the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

The Pacific Parliamentary and Political Leaders Forum ended yesterday in Wellington with calls for greater regional effort in dealing with common challenges faced by Pacific Island countries.

A special inter-governmental organisation made of Five Melanesian countries celebrated its Silver Jubilee last week at the University of the South Pacific Laucala Campus in Suva, Fiji, when the chief guest Sir Michael Somare urged urged greater trade and economic cooperation between the countries of the region.

Tonga’s display at the 2013 Pasifika Festival in Auckland, New Zealand, will feature a 40 man brass band and cultural groups from Tonga.