Results for Pacific Islands

Sanitation coverage in the Pacific has shown only limited improvement since 1990 and open defecation is still widely practiced in Kiribati (37%) and the Solomon Islands (18%). Almost every day a Solomon Islander dies from a water, sanitation and hygiene related illness. By Dr. Karen Allen, UNICEF Pacific Representative

New Zealand immigration is encouraging Tongan citizens who wish to immigrate to New Zealand, to register in a ballot next month so that they will be considered for a grant of residence.

The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group CMAG has downgraded Fiji's full suspension from the Commonwealth on 14 March. Fiji is now suspended only from the councils of the Commonwealth. Fiji will be eligible to participate in the Commonwealth Games in Scotland in July.

“Hardship” is the new word describing poverty in the Pacific Islands, where “the label of poverty is considered culturally inappropriate,” according to a report released by the World Bank this week, that highlights the increasing concerns over the vulnerability of many people living in its 11 member countries.

The Tongan Government will host the Sixth Meeting of the Pacific Island Countries (PIC) Network of Ozone Officers, and a Joint Meeting of National Ozone and Training of Custom Officers, next week 10-14 March, 2014.

The European Union and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat have signed a €37.26 million financing agreement to support the “Adapting to Climate Change and Sustainable Energy” programme.

Two new Vice Presidents of USP, Dr Giulio Masasso Paunga of Tonga and Dr Dilawar Grewal, were appointed by the Executive Committee of the University of the South Pacific on February 24.

Tonga’s High Commissioner to Australia, Princess Angelika Tuku’aho met Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop in Canberra, Australia yesterday, Wednesday February 26.

There is a urgent need for Pacific nations to rise above national agendas and act regionally, to respond effectively to the economic crisis in the Pacific’s albacore long line fisheries, warns the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency Director-General James Movick. Pacific countries will also need to confront distant water fishing nations to reconcile their narrow fishing interests with their broader role as key strategic and development partners of this region, he said.