Results for Pacific Islands

The ‘Epeli Hau’ofa Dance Festival II, showcasing art, music, education, culture and heritage is planned by the University of the South Pacific’s Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture and Pacific Studies, on 21-26 March 2016 in memory of the late Professor ‘Epeli Hau’ofa.

Efforts to reach an agreement between Pacific parties and the US on the fishing treaty is still ongoing. The US request for fewer fishing days was discussed at a Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) meeting in Nadi, Fiji, last week.

In less than 100 days, Guam will be flooded with worldwide visitors and participants to witness the spectacular 12th Festival of Pacific Arts held in the capital, Hagatna, from 22 May to 4 June. The festival has been held every four years since its inception in 1972.

Nation branding is critical in the 21st century and leads to investment, identity, tourism and a place in people’s minds and hearts according to Professor Ian Michael, presenting at the University of the South Pacific’s Meet-the-Leaders Forum for its Graduate School of Business students in February.

Australia will donate up to $500k to combat the Zika virus as part of an aid package to Pacific island countries to stop it from spreading and the initial focus of fighting the virus would be in Tonga, after it was confirmed five people contracted the virus and 259 suspected last week in Tonga.

Ways to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in Tonga’s waters to protect tuna resources were discussed at a three day workshop held by Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) officials in Tonga from 25-29 January 2016, when a new monitoring strategy was implemented.

Pacific Island nations and territories will continue to receive help to strengthen development needs thanks to New Zealand’s largest volunteer agency, Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA), for signing a three year Memorandum of Understanding with the Pacific Community (SPC).

Tonga is one of four Pacific island countries chosen by the Commonwealth Secretariat in London for a study of small island states that looks at governance and levels of vulnerability and resilience to external shocks. Visiting Nuku’alofa this week a team of three researchers were building up a profile of Tonga’s strengths and weaknesses in its ability to govern itself and respond to challenges.

Tonga and the rest of the Pacific Islands could tap into an online market to create thousands of jobs in IT-related industries according to a World Bank study released in December.