NEWSPAGE 13 September
2010

(Photo: Samoa Government)

SAMOA: Parliamentary Updates
Source: Government Press Secretariat Press Release

United Nation extends LDC transitional period for Samoa beyond December 2010

Samoa is under the Least Developed Country category according to the UN economies classification.

However, the development of Samoa’s economy has become evident throughout the years. Hence, the General Assembly decided in 2007 to graduate Samoa from the Least Developed Country category by 16 December 2010.

The world economic crisis and the tsunami of 29 September 2009 both occurred after the UN General Assembly’s decision was made. The world economy downturn was a crisis beyond Samoa and the tsunami was never predicted. These were important factors included in Samoa’s request for an extension of the transition period.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has informed Cabinet in its meeting today, 8 September 2010, that the United Nations General Assembly has accepted Samoa’s request for an extension of the transition period of three years before graduation from least developed country status until 1st January 2014.


Income Tax Amendment Bill 2010

Cabinet has approved amendment to the main Income Tax Act 1974.

First amendment has been made for section 31 (Tourism Investment Tax Credit) of the Income Tax Act 1974, by extending the period for tourism investment tax credit from 30th June 2008 to 30 June 2013. Consequently, a person investing $100,000 or more in an Approved Tourism Development between 1st July 2008 and the date of commencement of this Act is allowed a credit against income tax at a rate of 100% of that investment.

The second amendment is the insertion of a new section that provides for the deduction of income tax liability for Companies. This deduction is a tax incentive for sponsorships to sporting bodies and sets out the eligibility requirements for companies to qualify for the deduction.

These amendments will be tendered for Parliament approval through the Income Tax Amendment Bill 2010.


Patients referred overseas for treatment

Cabinet has approved referring of twenty one patients for the month of August for further investigation and treatments.

There are thirteen males and eight female patients from 5 months old to 78 years old. Various diseases affecting these patients include: skin disease; eye disease; heart related disease; knee; renal stones; back bone disease; cancer and diabetes.

The Government of Samoa continues its policy of patients’ referral overseas for
treatments if they cannot be treated in Samoa. All costs for further diagnosis and
treatments are paid for by the Government of Samoa.


First Anniversary for tsunami victims of 29 September 2009

Cabinet has decided to host a special ceremony to mark the first anniversary in remembrance of victims of the 29 September 2009 tsunami.

The ceremony will be held at the Tafaigata Cemetery, where some of the victims are buried, on Sunday 3 October 2010. The actual anniversary date on the 29th of September has been scheduled for private families’ unveiling ceremonies.

A monument in memory of all people that died in the tsunami is prepared by the IPA Ltd. A choir from New Plymouth, New Zealand will be singing one of the hymns at the ceremony.

The programme is as listed below:

9.00am - Arrival of Government dignitaries and guests
- Arrival of His Highness
- Welcoming address by the Chairman of the Organising Committee
- Church Service (Samoa National Council of Churches)
- Keynote Address (Honourable Prime Minister)
- Unveiling of the Monument
- Presenting of wreaths
- Closing remarks by Government
- Light refreshment and Goodbyes


His Highness appointed at Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific

His Highness, Head of State Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi has accepted an invitation to be the Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific, and is attending the University graduation at the Laucala Campus, Fiji on 10 September 2010.

This appointment is for one year.
 

(Photos: J. Kneubuhl)

AMERICAN SAMOA: EPA, Fire Department safely remove ASCC mercury spill
Source: American Samoa Community College Press Release

Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Fire Department and Department of Public Safety (DPS) collaborated to ensure the safe removal of mercury accidentally spilled in an office at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) last Friday afternoon. Since the incident, the EPA and Fire Department have given the “all clear” to signal that classes in the ASCC Science Building could resume this week without interruption.

ASCC Health Science instructor Dr. Daniel Chang recalled that during the late afternoon of the Friday before the long weekend, a student informed him that mercury being used in a science experiment in Dr. Chang’s office had leaked out of an instrument. “When released into the air, Mercury has potentially lethal effects,” said Dr. Chang, who immediately contacted the EPA. The EPA in turn instructed the College to alert the Fire Department and DPS.

When they arrived on the scene, EPA personnel mixed a chemical solvent to neutralize the mercury. Next, member of the Fire Department put on protective HAZMAT suits before entering the cordoned office where the spill took place and applying the neutralizing agent to the exposed mercury. The Fire Department then retrieved the remaining mercury from the defective science instrument, secured it in an air-tight container, and removed it from the room. The EPA subsequently disposed of the mercury according to its own procedures. After allowing Dr. Chang’s office to air-out overnight, EPA and Fire Department personnel returned Saturday morning to remove the carpet on which the mercury had spilled. Both agencies subsequently cleared the Science Building as safe for resuming classes.

Dr. Chang, who teaches mainly Health Science classes as well as a few sections of Biology, explained that the spill occurred while a student was using an instrument called the blood pressure cuff, which Dr. Chang uses in his Health Science lab to give students experience with taking blood pressure. “I anticipate that soon we’ll move to utilizing electronic or digital instruments for instructional purposes,” said Dr. Chang, “rather than devices like the blood pressure cuff which require mercury.”

Commending the EPA, Fire Department, and DPS for their quick response and professional handling of the incident, ASCC President Dr. Seth Galea’i also thanked Dr. Chang for immediately taking the right steps to ensure the safety of his students, and Campus Security for evacuating the Science Building in an efficient yet calm manner.

Photo Captions: Fire Department staff members wearing protective HAZMAT suits remove the sealed package containing the mercury that spilled inside an office at ASCC last Friday. The EPA, Fire Department and DPS collaborated on removing the mercury, and the Science Building has been declared safe for classes to resume.
 

(Photo: SpotingPulse)

FIJI: Fiji Badminton name team for Pacific Games
Source: SportingPulse

A strong 22-member squad of 14 men and eight women was finalised by selectors yesterday following last month's Fiji Badminton Association International Championship in Suva. Three overseas-based players Burty Molia (New Zealand), Chi Wong (New Zealand) and Ming Fong (Australia) are part of the men's squad as well.

The national team will be coached by Karyn Gibson and Dennis Fong.

Fiji Badminton Association official Violet Williams said technical experts would be brought from overseas to help the team.

"The players that have been selected have demonstrated eagerness and are proactive with their training programs," she said.

"I'm confident this squad will do Fiji proud."

Williams said players had learnt a lot of lessons by playing in the Fiji Badminton Association International Championship.

"There were a lot of mistakes but we know now what are the things that need to be improved. We have time to fix things up and the team should do well in the Pacific Games."

She said the squad was training daily at the Yat Sen School Hall.

"Some members who were dropped from this list may still fight their way back into the squad by showing commitment and dedication to training."

Teams:

Women's: Andra Whiteside (captain), Alissa Dean, Apisake Veitokiyaki, Arisha Kamal, Carline Bentley, Danielle Whiteside, Gabriella Wong, Karyn Gibson

Men's: Shivneil Chand (vice-captain Suva), Jacob Wise (vice-captain West), Aaron Wong, Afatareki McKenzie, Afoa Keil, Avneel Pillay, Burty Molia (New Zealand), Chi Wong (New Zealand), Devarisi Sharma, Ghee Ming Fong (Australia), Nilesh Lajendra, Peni Sonewai, Sakiusa Vakadewatabua, Wayne Areki.
 

(Photos: New Zealand Government)

NIUE: Chief Justice of Niue appointed
Source: New Zealand Government Press Release

At a small ceremony at Government House Vogel in Lower Hutt on Friday morning (September 10, 2010), the Governor-General, Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, in his capacity as Governor-General of Niue, appointed Judge Patrick Savage, as the new Chief Justice of Niue.

Speech on appointing the new Chief Justice of Niue, Government House Vogel, Lower Hutt

I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language. Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the morning (Sign)

I then specifically greet you: Chief Justice Patrick Savage; Your Excellency Sisilia Grace Tupou Talagi, High Commissioner for Niue to New Zealand; Distinguished Guests otherwise, notably Your Honour Chief Judge of the Māori Land Court Wilson Issac; Ladies and Gentlemen.

Thank you for joining my wife Susan and I for this ceremony at Government House Vogel to swear in Judge Savage as the Chief Justice of Niue.

This morning is a happy repetition of events three years ago because in September 2007, I had the honour to appoint two new Judges of the High Court of Niue. They were Your Honours Patrick Savage and Wilson Isaac.

Today’s ceremony reinforces the long-standing relationship between the judiciary of Niue and the Māori Land Court. Your predecessor in office as Chief Justice of Niue was His Honour Heta Hingston who was, for many years, a Judge of the Māori Land Court.

Secondly, the ceremony underpins my role, as Governor-General of New Zealand, and also as Governor-General of Niue. It is for that reason that whenever I speak in public, I greet people in all the languages of the Realm of New Zealand, of which Niuean is one.

Thirdly, the ceremony reminds us of the special relationship between New Zealand and Niue. Since 1974, Niue has been self-governing in free association with New Zealand. As I mentioned when I visited Niue in April 2007, the relationship has continued to evolve. It is much more than citizenship that the people of Niue and New Zealand share. It is a bond of family, of history and of vision for a shared future.

Finally, today’s appointment reflects the respect that the Government of Niue has for your experience and abilities as a lawyer and judge. Your service has included work on the Waitangi Tribunal and, prior to your appointment to the Māori Land Court in 1995, as a legal practitioner in Auckland and as Crown solicitor for the Bay of Plenty. As Governor-General of Niue and of New Zealand, I congratulate you this appointment and wish you a long and satisfying term in office.

I began speaking in all the New Zealand realm languages. I will now close in Māori, by offering everyone greetings and wishing you all good health and fortitude in your endeavours. No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - Governor-General, Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, in his capacity as Governor-General of Niue, signs the warrant appointing Judge Patrick Savage, as the Chief Justice of Niue, at a ceremony at Government House Vogel. In the background is the High Commissioner for Niue, HE Sisilia Grace Tupou Talagi.

Photo 2 - With The Bible in his right hand, Judge Patrick Savage takes the oath of office of Chief Justice of Niue, while the Governor-General, Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, and the High Commissioner for Niue, HE Sisilia Grace Tupou Talagi, look on.
 

(Photos: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme)

WORLDWIDE: Pacific Environment Ministers communiqué
Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Press Release

The 21st Meeting of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme convened in Madang, Papua New Guinea, 6 - 10 September 2010. The high-level segment was attended by Ministers from Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga and Vanuatu and Heads of Delegation from American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, France, French Polynesia, New Zealand, Niue, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and the United States of America.

Heads of Delegation thanked the Government of Papua New Guinea and the Provincial Government and people of Madang for the kind hospitality extended to them during their stay in Madang.

The Ministers and Heads of Delegation of the Pacific region responsible for environmental conservation and management, having met in Madang, Papua New Guinea during this International Year of Biodiversity, affirmed that:

• biological diversity is the foundation of the well-being of our communities and cultures;

• in the face of the predicted irreparable damage to the ability of ecosystems to provide the goods and services on which people depend, all must work together to conserve biodiversity, use it sustainably and respond to threats to its integrity; and

• the loss of biodiversity is compounded by the overwhelming threat of climate change, and the region’s response to climate change must be linked to its efforts to conserve and manage the region’s species and ecosystems.

They further:

2011-2015 Strategic Plan

4. Adopted the new Strategic Plan 2011-2015 as the guiding document for regional environmental priorities and the work of SPREP to address these in the coming five years. They welcomed the consultative process that led to development of the plan, and endorsed the vision of ‘The Pacific environment, sustaining our livelihoods and natural heritage in harmony with our cultures.’


5. Adopted the four priorities of the Strategic Plan as climate change, biodiversity and ecosystem management, waste management and pollution prevention, and environmental monitoring and governance.

6. Encouraged the Secretariat to prioritise and facilitate systematic monitoring and reporting on outputs and contributions to outcomes at the national level in order to demonstrate results.

7. Directed the Secretariat to ensure that resource allocation reflects the priorities in the Strategic Plan with core resources prioritised to core functions in the first instance, and to secure the resources and to facilitate and implement partnerships to meet the goals of the Strategic Plan.

8. Requested donor agencies and partner organisations to note that the Strategic Plan outlines the key environmental priorities for Pacific countries and territories and urged them to support implementation of the Strategic Plan.


Climate Change

9. Noted with concern the ongoing issues of global climate change and the resulting impacts on Pacific islands including threat to the survival of some of these islands.

10. Endorsed the leadership role played by SPREP in supporting climate change activities in the region; in particular its leading role in the effective coordination and implementation of climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, including on coordination and harmonisation of climate change financing in the region.

11. Urged Members of SPREP to enhance capacity at the national level to continue access and coordination of financing from bilateral partners and multilateral sources, noting the principles adopted at the 2010 Forum Leaders’ Meeting.

12. Noted the commitment of all Members to move towards a durable, environmentally effective and legally binding outcome in the UNFCCC as quickly as possible and to use COP16 in Cancun to achieve this objective.

13. Urged all countries to fulfil their voluntary commitments enshrined in the Copenhagen Accord including the implementation of mitigation commitments and actions, enhanced adaptation actions and commitments to fast-start and longer-term financing. They welcomed the fast-start pledges of developed countries and the delivery of fast-start funding to date.


14. Directed the Secretariat to continue to provide technical information and support to Pacific island countries and territories (PICTs) on climate change issues and negotiations, including assisting PICTs with a preparatory meeting prior to UNFCCC COP16 in Cancun.

15. Reiterated, in relation to climate change issues and negotiations, the value and significance of cooperation and exchange of information between SPREP Members and with the Secretariat.

16. Endorsed the approach to revision of the PIFACC to take account of the findings of the mid-term review and developments over the first five years of its operation. Furthermore, timely support from donors to implement the PIFACC over the next five years was called for.


Conservation of the Ocean

17. Emphasised the critical importance of ensuring the sustainable development, management and conservation of our ocean.

18. Reiterated the critical role of SPREP in the promotion of, and support for the management and conservation of island, coastal and marine ecosystems through its new Strategic Plan.

19. Welcomed the decision of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders in Port Vila in August 2010 to endorse the Framework for the Pacific Oceanscape, noting with appreciation the role of SPREP in its development, and welcomed their request to CROP agencies to implement the Framework in partnership with other relevant organisations.

20. Directed the Secretariat to work with CROP agencies and to develop a recommended approach for SPREP in implementing the Framework in the context of the Strategic Plan for consideration by the 22nd SPREP Meeting.


Biodiversity

21. Noted with concern the increasing challenge and need for greater commitment to achieve the 2010 biodiversity targets and the continuing high rate of biodiversity loss and decline of ecosystem services in the Pacific.

22. Commended the Republic of Kiribati for establishing the Phoenix Islands Protected Area, the world's largest marine protected area, and its successful inscription as a World Heritage Area; the United States for the establishment of its new Pacific marine monuments; and the successful inscription of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument as a World Heritage Area; and New Caledonia’s lagoons and coral reefs that were inscribed as a World Heritage Area in July 2008.

23. Encouraged other Pacific island countries and territories to take similar action to conserve and manage important terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

24. Noted the importance of having One Pacific Voice at the forthcoming 10th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Nagoya, Japan, to ensure that COP decisions, including on developing post-2010 strategic plan goals and targets, take into account the needs of Small Island Developing States, as well as at other international conventions, in particular the UNFCCC.

25. Noted and welcomed the collaborative work of Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Palau, which aims to conserve 30% of their nearshore marine resources and 20% of their terrestrial resources by 2020 as part of the Micronesia Challenge.

26. Noted the success of the regional pre-COP 10 meeting held in Nadi, Fiji, and

27. Directed the SPREP Secretariat to support Pacific island countries at the CBD COP10 meeting in Nagoya and at the UNFCCC COP16 meeting in Cancun.