Results for Pacific Islands

A new fellowship programme for Small Island Developing States was launched by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) this week in Samoa. The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme is supported by King Charles III.

Ahead of the seventy-fifth session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala led the launch of a new report tracking progress in the Region on the health-related Sustainable Development Goals. The Regional Director also gave a preview of the expected outcomes of the Regional Committee meeting that will take place in Manila, Philippines, on 21-25 October.

The benefits and challenges of the temporary labour mobility programs to Australia and New Zealand was the topic of the Speaker’s second public debate held at Parliament House in Nuku’alofa on Friday, 4 October. While Tonga welcomes the income and social benefits brought by having over 5,000 workers overseas sending money home, the exodus of its prime workforce has led to a critical shortage of labour on farms, in businesses and in government in Tonga, while at home family breakups have increased.

A New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Manawanui sank on the southern coast of Upolu, Samoa, after it ran aground on a reef on Saturday night. All 75 crew were evacuated, while the exact cause of the grounding is unknown. There is concern over the environmental effects, as oil is likely to spill from the sunken vessel.

Financing agreements to extend the Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF) for an additional four years have been signed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the governments of Australia, New Zealand and the United States, the European Investment Bank, the European Union, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and the World Bank Group, at the PRIF Management Committee Meeting that was held on Wednesday in Suva. The PRIF will be based in Suva.

Funding to cover the participation of four members of delegations from each Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Party at the UN Climate Conference COP29, was announced by the host Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, yesterday to facilitate the active participation of vulnerable communities who stand to lose the most from the climate crisis. 

​​​​​​​A trip to Tongatapu by a team of South Pacific Animal Welfare veterinarians produced outstanding results with 407 animals receiving care from a volunteer team of four veterinarians and four vet nurses from 19-23 August, SPAW chairman Dr Geoff Neal reported.

Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau'u Tuku'aho is attending the South Pacific Area Seminar with a delegation, in Apia, Samoa this week. The South Pacific Area Seminar hosted by Methodist Church of Samoa, gathers influential female leaders, hundreds of women, and community members from across the region and the world to discuss key issues in the South Pacific, and strengthening faith and spreading of the Gospel.

The Pacific Islands Forum has censored Taiwan from its leader's communiqué that was announced on Friday, 30 August, to members of the media at Fa’onelua Convention Centre by Troika.