Results for Pacific Islands

A declaration outlining actions to tackle Climate Change is circling the Pacific Island countries for support before being delivered to world leaders at COP 23 in Bonn, Germany.

A push for the development of political parties in democratic societies in the Pacific by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was the focus of a dialogue held this week in Momi Bay, Fiji where over 40 representatives from the Pacific region attended, including Tonga. UNDP's Bakhodir Burkhanov said political parties need to be “more than just a temporary vehicle for the promotion of the interests of one political leader or a small group”.

Marine life in the Easter Island (Rapa Nui) waters, especially endemic species, should start thriving after the Chilean government declared it a marine protected area on 11 September. The protected area, one of the largest in the world, is around 740,000 square kilometers, roughly the size of Chile.

Chief Justices from the Pacific Islands are in Nuku'alofa this week, attending a workshop to strengthen judiciaries in the Pacific. The focus on judicial leadership is part of an Initiative funded by the New Zealand Government.

Tongan scientist, Siosiua Halavatau, is encouraging farmers to be “soil smart” when cultivating crops; to not overplough the land and to avoid using fertilizers and thereby play their part in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. By Finau Fonua

Climate change impacts are evident everywhere in the Pacific, where many communities are on the front line of its damaging impacts, said Australia’s Ambassador for Environment Patrick Suckling, who is visiting the Pacific region.

Moving closer to the vulnerable Asia Pacific region –where more intense tropical storms are hitting the islands, the World Meteorological Organization opens its new office in Singapore today. By Linny Folau

In the Pacific region many of the natural disasters experienced are related to water and climate, Hon. Samuel Manetoali told the opening meeting of the Pacific Meteorological Council on August 14 in the Solomon Islands, saying "We are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change... and climate variability". By Linny Folau in Honiara.

Pacific journalists are in Honiara this week for a Pacific Islands Media and Meteorological Services Training in preparation for two important regional climate and weather meetings next week.