Results for Press Releases

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.

On Monday 18 February, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales was introduced to the Commonwealth Essay Competition as part of a workshop for students aged 12-18 years-old held at the Pitt Building in Cambridge.

The recurrence of abundant “seaweed blooms” are a growing concern on the island of Viti Levu in Fiji as beaches become increasingly affected with the algae. A Pacific-wide discussion by internet forum is underway this month, January 2013, to find out how far this problem extends across Pacific communities to help determine if it is caused by climate change.

TEN YEARS AGO IN DECEMBER 2012: In Niuatoputapu on Saturday December 1, 2012, Prime Minister of Tonga, Lord Tu'ivakano handed over 34 new houses for the people of Niuatoputapu who lost their homes during the tsunami that followed the Great Samoa-Tonga Earthquakes of 29-30 September 2009. Supported by the World Bank, a total of 73 new houses were constructed as part of the Post-Tsunami Reconstruction Project,

The Tonga Development Bank has announced a 50% reduction in loan repayments rates to help its clients to meet obligations during the current financial and economic challenges in Tonga.

The Pacific Ocean faces threats from over-fishing, pollution and climate change. Annually more than 786,000 tonnes of fish are illegally taken from the Pacific and its tuna fisheries are in danger of being over exploited. “The Pacific Ocean unites all the countries in the region,” said Marea Hatziolos, Senior Coastal and Marine Specialist for the World Bank. “Tremendous progress has been achieved regionally in fisheries agreements and conservation, but the battle is not yet won. This is a timely focus, at a critical juncture for Pacific Island populations.”

Tonga’s Minister for Labour, Commerce and Industries, Hon. 'Isileli Pulu moved at the Forum Trade Ministers Meeting at Majuro, Marshall Islands on May 11 for school fees and the right for a temporary jobs for students from Forum Island Countries in Australia and New Zealand to be incorporated into the PACER Plus free trade agreement negotiation that is still in progress.

The Pacific Islands Tuna Association (PITIA), in expressing serious concern over the rapid buildup of the Southern Long Line fleet, is reiterating the unease being felt by its members.

Ambassador Frankie A. Reed presented her credentials to the President of Fiji, H.E. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, earlier today (13 Oct), following her arrival in Fiji to be the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Fiji. Ambassador Reed will serve concurrently as Ambassador to the Republic of Kiribati, the Republic of Nauru, the Kingdom of Tonga, and Tuvalu.