NEWSPAGE 20 September
2010

(Photo: Samoa Government)

SAMOA: Parliamentary Updates
Source: Government Press Secretariat Press Release

Prime Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly

Cabinet has approved attendance by the Hon. Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi of the Sixty Fifth (65) United Nations General Assembly which will be held on from the 19 - 27 September 2010, in New York, United States of America.

The Hon. Prime Minister will be presenting on Millennium Goals Development Issues on the 20th September meeting. He will also be attending round table discussions as scheduled before the main Conference. The Prime Minister will also present a speech on the Status of Samoa as a Least Developed County (LDC) plus other important issues such as environment during the main Conference on the 27th September.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will also be attending this Conference with the Hon. Prime Minister.


Commonwealth Law Ministers and Attorney General of Small Commonwealth Jurisdictions meeting

Cabinet has approved the participation by Minister of Justice and Courts Administration, Honourable Unasa Mesi Galo to the Commonwealth Law Ministers and Attorney General of Small Commonwealth Jurisdictions meeting in London, England on 21 - 22 October, 2010.

Matters expected to be discussed at the meeting will include:

• Technology communications in the Justice system for small island nations;
• Media freedom and crimes against the media;
• Guidelines for serious crimes;
• Youth Criminals;
• Assistance for Offices of Registrars in each country and International Courts.

Ministry’s Chief Executive Officer, Masinalupe Tusipa Masinalupe will also be attending this meeting.


Contracts awarded for the building of seawalls in 21 villages

Cabinet has approved Contracts awarded to the following Companies for the Building of seawalls in 21 villages.
 

Invitations for bids were advertised for Expression of Interest. The applications were assessed by a Sub-Committee for the Tenders’ Board before it was forwarded to Cabinet for approval.


Cleaner pathways for marketing talo and flowers

Cabinet has approved the report on the workshop for Cleaner Pathways for marketing of talo and flowers, under the Small Research Activities (SRA).

Many Pacific countries are prioritizing marketing strategies for talo and flowers for bouquets to Australia, New Zealand and other countries.

These were some of the issues in discussion:
• Review ways to develop the production of talo and flowers;
• Find ways to enhance the marketing of these produces;
• Stakeholders to collaborate in developing this project;
• Improve communication in recording information regarding pest control.

The marketing of the Fijian talo to Australia and New Zealand was significance during the meeting.

The exportation of talo from Samoa to New Zealand was also noted, which prompted some worries from the Fijian talo exporters because of Samoa’s high reputation in marketing of talo before the talo blight.

It is also a challenge for Fiji and Tonga, because there are more Samoans residing in New Zealand and Australia.

Australia has revealed that the only difficulty faced by Pacific countries is their failure to meet the export requirements, as compared to exports from other countries of the world. But there is still an opportunity for consultation as the practice through international trading.
 

(Photo: Australian High Commission)

AUSTRALIA: Australia appoints a Parliamentary Secretary for the Pacific
Source: Australian High Commission Press Release

Australia has a new Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs.

The Hon Richard Marles MP will take up the position vacated by Duncan Kerr, who retired at the last election.

Before he was elected to the Australian Parliament in 2007, Mr Marles, 43, worked as a lawyer and Assistant Secretary General of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, during which he led a program of co-operation between the Australian and Papua New Guinea union movements.

Mr Marles told Radio Australia that he had a passion for the Pacific for a long time and wanted to raise the profile of the Pacific in Australia.

“The Pacific is our region. This is where we live and it's always where we are going to live… and it's critical that Australia gets its head around that and plays the role that it needs to in it,’' Mr Marles said.

“I think if there is one thing that I feel very strongly about it is raising the profile of our relationship with the Pacific, with the countries in it within the public debate in Australia.

“I think they are critical to our national interest, there are some very important countries within the Pacific who we're dealing with and I think at times it doesn't get the kind of air time within the Australian public debate which it should and I am very keen to try and improve that.”

Mr Marles is married with four children.

Photo Caption: New Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Richard Marles.
 

(Photo: The National)

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: New Kumul coach announced
Source: The National

Former Kumul five-eighth and British rugby league cult figure Stanley Gene has been appointed as Adrian Lam’s successor.

In a media conference in Port Moresby on Wednesday (September 15, 2010), PNGRFL interim committee chairman John Numapo and committee member Gary Juffa announced Gene’s ascension to the top job saying Lam had relinquished the Kumul coaching role primarily because of his commitment to NRL club St George Illawara, who are into the second week of the finals. Lam is assistant to Dragon’s head coach Wayne Bennett.

Numapo said Lam had contacted him earlier in the week to inform him of his decision, and that the PNGRFL interim committee had accepted Lam’s resignation.

Numapo then took the opportunity to announce Gene’s appointment and assured the country’s rugby league community that what had transpired would not hinder the Kumuls preparation.

“I want to assure fans and the rugby league fraternity that the Kumuls will play in the Four Nations next month. This (Lam’s resignation) will not affect preparations and I am confident we can come up with the best side,” Numapo said.

He added that Sports Minister Philemon Embel had been briefed on the situation and was satisfied with the contingency plans.

Numapo claimed Lam’s reasons were entirely because of his contractual obligations with St George and nothing to do with the recent leadership turmoil in the PNGRFL.

Numapo added that Gurias coach Michael Marum would retain his position as Kumul assistant coach, a job he held under the two previous coaches - Lam and Bob Bennett - stretching back to 2006.

Gene, 37, said being Kumul coach was “a dream come true” and was optimistic about the Kumuls saying he would take up where his predecessor left off.

“I’ve spent 20 years playing league and this has been one of my dreams to coach my country. It couldn’t have come any sooner,” a delighted Gene said.

“I want PNG to play with more structure and to be more disciplined in their approach and with my experience and the help of others we can do that.”

The PNG Prime Minister’s XIII, which will include several overseas-based players, will be announced on Monday after Sunday’s bemobile versus zone side game. The PM’s XIII will then play their Australian counterparts on Sept 26.
 

(Photo: Solomon Star)

SOLOMON ISLANDS: ‘Respect’ key feature in Melanesian Arts Festival
Source: Solomon Star

The Melanesian tradition of respect to humanity and nature has been a key feature at the 4th Melanesian Arts Festival currently underway in New Caledonia.

This significant tradition in the form of gift exchanges between the Kanaky people of New Caledonia and visiting contingents from Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Vanuatu has been performed throughout the four corners of the country.

Exchange of gifts in Kanaky culture called the “Hure Hmeno” between residents of a particular region and visitors is a significant step in seeking permission to enter into that territory or tribal village.

In the process, visitors entering into a different tribal territory are required to respectfully seek permission of high chiefs and tribal elders as a symbol of tolerance to a host tribe’s authority.

In accepting visitors, tribal chiefs reciprocate the gift as a sign of acceptance and responsibility to take care of visitors on their land.

In Kanaky culture, exchange of gifts formed a core part of the existence between different tribal groups and their natural environment - a key process in ensuring peaceful core-existence between tribal groups.

On Wednesday this week, a 21-member team from the Solomon Islands contingent participated at a gift giving ceremony held in the North Eastern town of Heinghene, New Caledonia.

Heinghene is the tribal region of the assassinated Pro-Independence Kanaky leader, the late Jean Marie Djibaou.

The ceremony also involved contingents from Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Vanuatu.

Upon entry into the Goa and Bwarhat Cultural Centre in Hienghene, the Melanesian contingent headed by Ratu Semi Seruvakula was met with a warrior’s welcome - a symbol of territorial defence in Kanaka Culture, which is also similar in some parts of Melanesia.

The warriors retreated as soon as gifts were presented to the high chiefs of Hienghene and their people as sign of goodwill.

In a sign of acceptance, Chiefs representing the tribes of Hienghene reciprocated the gifts and welcomed the visitors into their territory with a huge feast.

Hienghene high chief, Jean-Pierre Jjaiwe said his people are happy to accept and look after their brothers and sisters from Melanesia during their stay.

He stressed that respect for humanity and nature is key to peaceful core-existence in our Melanesian societies, adding that “the Melanesian Arts Festival is an important initiative by our MSG leaders that all people in Melanesia must embrace and nurture for common peace and integration through understanding and appreciating each other”.

Solomon Islands and Fiji make gift presentations on behalf of the Melanesian delegation.

“We are very happy to be accepted into your community,” said Solomon Islands team leader Robert Au when he presented a Nguzunguzu as a gesture of goodwill to the people of Hienghene.

“We’d like to thank you and the spirits of your ancestors for allowing us to enter your land. We hope to share with you our cultural values during our stay here in Hienghene,”

Members of the Solomon Islands contingent were divided into four groups that are currently touring the four regions of New Caledonia.

They will have the opportunity to participate in gift giving ceremonies and cultural sharing with the Kanaky people through dance, music and artistic expressions.

The Melanesian Arts Festival was created in 1995 by the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

The Festival takes place every 4 years in one of the Melanesian countries of New Caledonia, Fiji, Papua-New Guinea, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.

Its goal is to promote traditional and contemporary arts from the whole of Melanesia.

Solomon Islands first hosted the festival in 1998, followed by Vanuatu in 2002, Fiji in 2006 and New Caledonia in 2010.

The selected theme for this year's program is inspired from a quotation from the famous Kanak political leader jean-Marie Tjibaou: "Our identity lies ahead of us".

Photo Caption: Toelegu panpipers in action at the festival.
 

(Photo: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme)

WORLDWIDE: New road map for SPREP
Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Press Release

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) has a new road map which comes into effect next year. During the 21st Meeting of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme the “SPREP Strategic Plan 2011 - 2015” was adopted by environment ministers and SPREP Members.

From 2011 to 2015 SPREP will continue, as mandated by its founding treaty, ‘to promote co-operation in the Pacific region and provide assistance in order to protect and improve its environment and to ensure sustainable development for present and future generations’. The new road map will re-focus the work of the Secretariat on four key areas: Climate change, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management, Waste Management and Pollution Control, and Environmental Monitoring and Governance. This will see SPREP increase its support to member countries and territories through practical assistance tailored to their agreed priorities.

“There is an increased focus on, in particular, waste management, and on climate change, as well as on environmental monitoring for which we have had limited attention to date. We’ll also have a greater focus on in country delivery and a higher profile for SPREP,” said Mr. David Sheppard the Director of SPREP.

The Strategic Plan was developed after six months of wide consultation which included surveys and sub regional meetings open to the participation of all 25 SPREP member countries and territories. It was during these consultations that the vision for the future work of SPREP was designed. From 2011 - 2015 the Secretariat will be working towards achieving the vision - ‘The Pacific environment, sustaining our livelihoods and natural heritage in harmony with our cultures’.

“For me, coming to SPREP after the Independent Corporate Review was completed which raised key organizational issues; I thought that SPREP was in for major changes. But the result from the consultation was that we are basically heading in the right direction, we just need fine tuning so the Strategic Plan is more of a course realignment and focusing rather than changing the direction of the ship.”

Now that the SPREP Strategic Plan 2011 - 2015 is adopted, over the coming six months SPREP will reorient its structure and work programme to deliver on the four key areas, to strengthen delivery of practical services to members, better emphasis on partnerships, science and knowledge.

“The SPREP budget has increased from US$7.4 million in 2008 to $11.5 million in 2011. I think donors are more likely to invest in SPREP if we have a programme that is very much based on country needs and also they are more likely to invest in SPREP if they have confidence in the organisation,” said Mr. Sheppard.

“I think that what we have seen in 2010 is an increased confidence in SPREP and I hope that with the development and adoption of this Strategic Plan that donors and partners will be very happy to invest and support and work with SPREP in the years ahead”.

The SPREP Strategic Plan 2011 - 2015 will be published before the end of this year and come into effect on 1 January 2011.
 

Photo Caption: SPREP Director Mr. David Sheppard at 21 SM High level meeting.