Results for Press Releases

World leaders and decision-makers from more than 100 countries will gather later this month in Sendai, Japan, to finalize a new global framework for disaster risk reduction which will replace the 2005 Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA). The stakes could not be higher, especially for the countries of Asia and the Pacific - by far the most disaster-prone region in the world.

This week’s Pacific Islands Forum focuses on: “Marshalling a Pacific Response to Climate Change” when the leaders of the Pacific Island Forum will propose the Majuro Declaration for Climate Leadership, to galvanize a new wave of climate action. At this critical time in the history of the Pacific, it is essential the discussion goes beyond words and pledges and results in concrete actions and commitments, from all actors, to combat climate change. - World Bank Group.

Trade Ministers from the Pacific Island Countries have been cautioned over the dangers of liberalising trade in services and investment. “Any binding commitments on services and investment will limit the policy space that the Pacific has to define and determine for itself how it wants to pursue its own development.” – Adam Wolfenden.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has elected its new president. Japan’s Former Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs, Takehiko Nakao will succeed Haruhiko Kuroda, also a former Japanese Parliamentarian who handed in his resignation in March.

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat PIFS will soon begin work on a case study of the Tonga Energy Roadmap (TERM) for regional and global learning and replication.

"This year’s Commonwealth theme, ‘Opportunity through Enterprise’, is a celebration of our achievements, particularly those that may have seemed challenging, daunting or even impossible, which have helped to build strength, resilience and pride in our young people, in our communities and in our nations.

Today (November 15), the World Bank Board of Directors approved a US$1.8 million grant for Tonga, to help strengthen the economy and improve critical service delivery for its population of 104,000 people.

Meeting in Fiji on 17–18 October the Heads of Quarantine of Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, and established a new forum for collaboration on technical issues currently limiting trade. Elvis Silvestrini, Fiji’s Head of Quarantine and inaugural Chair of the new group said, “We all want profitable and safe trade between Pacific Island countries, and also with our bigger trading partners. We need to work together to make that happen." - PHAMA press release.

A week-long celebration of Tongan arts and culture will be launched on Monday 24 September at the Mangere Arts Centre - Nga Tohu o Uenuku, in New Zealand. The Matala festival will feature dance, theatre, poetry, music with traditional and contemporary faikava, and bring together Tongan artists and members of the Tongan community.