Results for Press Releases

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) is pleased to announce the launching of Tonga's first community FM radio station on Niuatoputapu, a remote island in northern Tonga. The historic launch took place on 25 May this year.

Speech by Christine Lagarde, Managing Director, IMF given on 23 January 2012. "As we turn the page on a turbulent year, a year in which so much of what could go wrong did go wrong, many look to the future with trepidation and foreboding. They worry about uncertain economic prospects, dwindling job opportunities, and rising inequality. About what kind of future awaits their children. Indeed, in the economic outlook that the IMF will release tomorrow, we will lower growth forecasts for most parts of the world. Even these lower forecasts assume a constructive policy path that is by no means assured."

MASDAR, Abu Dhabi's multifaceted renewable energy company, signed today (18 January) a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of the Kingdom of Tonga, represented through the Tonga Energy Road Map Implementation Unit (TERM IU). Masdar will be in charge of the implementation and construction of a 500 kW solar photovoltaic power plant to be installed in Vava'u Island. The project, is financed by a grant provided by Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), the solar plant will deliver around 13 percent of Tonga's annual electricity demand.

Let us recognise the global implications arising from China rising to the top of the global economic ladder. This will be the first time since the rise of the Spanish Empire 500 years ago that a non-western power will be the dominant global economic power. And the first time since Pitt the Younger that a non-democracy will be the world's largest economy. - Hon Kevin Rudd, Australia's Foreign Minister.

A new decree introduced by Fiji's military rulers on January 5 have cemented the dictatorship of self-styled leader Commodore Bainimarama. The decree creates an expansive definition of "terrorism", with severe penalties, which could be interpreted to cover just about any organised opposition to the military junta. Under one of the worst provisions, Fiji's courts have no jurisdiction to hear any claim challenging any decision by the Prime Minister, police commanders or any public official. – ITUC.

The eurozone crisis is expected to have only limited impact on the Pacific because the region's growth prospects are more closely tied to the economies of Australia and New Zealand. - ADB.

The 2011 Pacific Plan Annual Progress Report and Reporting Annex was today (21/12/11) launched by the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade. The Pacific Plan Annual Progress Report provides a comprehensive update of work undertaken over the last 12 months to support implementation of the Pacific Plan. – Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

Saturday 10 December was International Human Rights Day. To mark the significance of this day the OHCHR Regional Office for the Pacific is highlighting countries' progress in engaging with UN human rights mechanisms, and in particular with the UPR of the Human Rights Council. – OHCHR.

Communications Fiji Limited CFL has been censured for misleading the public during its coverage of the 2011 Rugby World Cup by the Media Industry Development Authority. – Fiji Broadcasting Corporation.