NEWSPAGE 20 December
2010

(Photos: Random House / More Hangzhou)

(Photo: Samoa Government)

SAMOA: Parliamentary Updates
Source: Government Press Secretariat Press Release

Appointment of New Chief Executive Officer for the Trust Estate of Samoa

Cabinet has approved the appointment of Patea Loli Malo Setefano as the new Chief Executive Officer for the Trust Estate Corporation of Samoa.

The position was advertised where 14 applications were received by the panel. Five applicants were shortlisted for interview, and Susuga Patea Loli Malo Setefano was selected.

Patea is from the villages of Sapunaoa Falealili and Vaipu’a Savaii. He was the ACEO for the Land Management of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment since 2008. Prior to that he was the Chief Government Land Valuer from 1997 - 2007. Patea had also served in many key positions in Government Ministries and Corporations.

Patea was educated in Samoa before he went for further studies at the University of the South Pacific, Fiji where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Land Management & Development and a Postgraduate Diploma on the same field.


Report on Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group

Cabinet has approved the report on Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group recently held in Washington D.C. on 8 - 10 October, 2010.

A meeting of Ministers of Finance was held beforehand, on the 7th of October in Washington, to discuss challenges faced by small and developing countries. Samoa was ahead of many small countries in following guidelines to attract investors into the country. Also discussed is the impact of climate change on small island nations.

Samoa’s delegation also met with representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and representatives of the Asia Pacific Department of the IMF.

Samoa also met with representatives of the International Development Association (IDA) and Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Samoa’s delegation was lead by Minister of Finance, Honorable Niko Lee Hang, and included the Ministry CEO, Central Bank Governor and Deputy Governor.


Memorandum of Understanding for High Speed undersea cable for the Pacific

Cabinet has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Pacific by the Pacific Fibre Company.

The MOU will be signed by the Minister of Communication, Safuneituuga Paaga Neri.


Report on ACP-EU Ministerial Trade Committee meeting

Cabinet has approved the report on the 14th Joint African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP)-European Union (EU) Ministerial Trade Committee meeting that was held on 20 -22 October, 2010 in Belgium.

Matters in discussion included international trading and the impact of trading by countries of the European Union on ACP countries.

The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) was also on the agenda, which prompted the idea to rebuild new guidelines to steer negotiations of this agreement between the ACP and EU. The EU should also be reminded of the important contribution by EPA to the development of ACP countries.

EU trading, WTO matters and the emphasis on the participation by Trade Ministers of the ACP were also discussed.
 

(Photo: Mark Calleja / The Courier-Mail)

AUSTRALIA: Israel Folau's sporting journey moves from rugby league to Aussie rules
Source: The Courier-Mail

Israel Folau was born in Sydney, spent his formative years in Brisbane and shot to rugby league stardom with Melbourne.

But Tonga is his spiritual home. Many family members still live on the small Pacific island and you will not find a prouder Tongan than the 21-year-old.

He did not have to be asked twice to take part in the AFL's Youth Oceania Cup in Tonga this week, where he has been treated like royalty by the locals when they see the high-priced Greater Western Sydney recruit on the streets of Nuku'alofa.

The King of Tonga may be an "icon of the globe" according to a billboard on a street into town, but the face of the Giants expansion club that makes its AFL debut in 2012 is a prince among the residents.

He has not always felt that welcome this year, after signing a $6 million, four-year deal in June to switch codes.

ARL chief executive Geoff Carr waged a one-man war against him. He tried to have the ex-Bronco kicked out of the State of Origin series and later ensured Folau was not allowed to play in the Four Nations tournament for Australia or for Tonga in a one-off Test against Samoa in October. Folau was not even allowed to run water for Tonga in the match at Parramatta Stadium.

There has been no such problem this week as Folau has been lending a helping hand to the Tongan side that is taking part in the six-team carnival.

Folau said the trip home had been fulfilling on a number of levels and a welcome sanctuary from a turbulent 12 months ahead on and off the field.

"There is no way you could put a price tag on a trip like this," he said. "To come and promote the game here is very exciting, plus I get to see my family. It's been great.

"I have a lot of family here and walking down the street people have been recognising me and saying hello, so it's been a great opportunity.

"I come back every year and it's pretty cruisy.

"You don't have to worry about much, which is nice.

"It is important to me to learn my heritage and background."

Folau said the trip would benefit his football, after spending time with West Coast star Nic Naitanui and fellow code-hopper Karmichael Hunt in Tonga this week.

"Talking to those boys and hearing their experiences is only going to help me make that transition," he said.

"A trip like this means you go back to training feeling inspired, and you are really ready to go.".

Photo Caption: Israel Folau, in Tonga to promote Australian football, with aspiring island players.
 

(Photo: Escambray)

KIRIBATI: President of Kiribati describes visit to Cuba as successful
Source: Escambray

The president of Kiribati, Anote Tong, told reporters at Havana’s Jose Marti International Airport that he had a wonderful stay in Cuba.

The head of state, who arrived in Cuba last December 11, met with President Raul Castro and paid a visit to the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM), where there are 60 students from his country.

Tong said he had the opportunity to see great young Cuban boxers with very good scientific and technical preparation.

He added that there are very talented boxers in his country, but they need training and that’s the reason why his government is requesting Cuba’s assistance with professors and trainers.

“I assure you that the boxers of Kiribati will be ready to participate at the 2012 Olympic Games, by taking advantage of the technology, the capacity and the training Cuba can offer”, he stated.

Tong also referred to Kiribati’s students in ELAM, whose results will have a significant impact on the health system of his country.

He said to be deeply grateful for the assistance of the Cuban government because Kiribati is a developing country and all the help offered is decisive for changing the future of its people.

Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Marcos Rodriguez bid farewell to the head of state and his delegation.

Photo Caption: Tong said to be deeply grateful for the assistance of the Cuban government.
 

(Photo: Vanuatu Daily Post)

VANUATU: Commissioner Bong launches Operation Noel 2010 
Source: Vanuatu Daily Post

Christmas is less than a week away, and everyone should be reminded of the importance of being vigilant throughout this festive season.

Police Commissioner, Joshua Bong made this remark before officially launching the ‘Operation Noel 2010’.

Bong reminded the Vanuatu Police Force members to be fully aware that there is nothing much more important than ensuring “our citizens and visitors are safe and secure”. He told them that it is their duty and responsibility to ensure all ni-Vanuatu and visitors celebrate this festive season with peace.

He pointed out that one of the simple but greatest challenge and failure would be when a vehicle driver drives under the influence of alcohol and involves in an accident. He added that if a little boy or girl goes missing during this season, then it is part of their failure.

“Sounds funny as it could be, but given our very nature of duty, we have a lot to focus our efforts and resources”, said Bong.

Bong said he is proud to see the members of the VPF are serving this nation with a positive attitude. He is convinced that Vanuatu being chosen the happiest place on earth twice and chosen a must visit country in 2011, would not have claimed these testimonies, if it had not been the “valuable sacrifices and contributions of the Force members.

The commissioner extended his talks to salute all who had received their medals of their service to this nation as well as for their service in peace keeping missions overseas.

He also congratulated the officers who were being promoted to higher ranks.

Bong supported the Head of State to congratulate all officers, and stressed that they deserved what they had received, “because this nation cannot function, unless there is law, order and security”.
 

WORLDWIDE: Pacific Islands to increase agriculture data collection
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Press Release

Supported by conclusions from a new data scoping report, Pacific Island Countries plan to expand data collection on agriculture production, domestic food marketing and agriculture trade to provide decision-makers with actionable information that can be used to strengthen food security across the Pacific islands.

Food security in the Pacific has been threatened for decades. Declining investment, climate change and deterioration of land and water for agriculture and fisheries have eroded the region’s capacity to sustain local food production. A growing reliance on food imports has heightened island susceptibility to food and fuel price volatility. Still, island agriculture not only provides food for most islanders, it is their main source of income and also makes up the bulk of island exports.

The Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands of UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) funded the study called: Agriculture Data — Report on a Scoping Study in Six Pacific Island Countries.

According to the report, public access to general statistical information in Pacific Island Countries has steadily improved in recent years with the development of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community’s Pacific Regional Information System (SPC/PRISM) and a number of national websites. But, the study also found that “these sites currently have limited information on basic agriculture statistics.”

The decisions that Pacific islanders make about their agriculture sector could mean the difference between economic growth and social stability, or growing poverty and social unrest. The data scoping report says that a solid database on the agriculture sector would go a long way towards helping policy-makers and private sector agro-business leaders make informed decisions that would improve food security.

From May to November 2010 the data scoping mission visited six Pacific Island Countries (Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu) to assess the capacity of the countries to produce, report and use data that is commonly needed to monitor national trends in agricultural production and to understand the role of the domestic agriculture sector, including local food and labour markets.

An expert consultation reviewed the data scoping report on 22-23 October 2010 in Nadi, Fiji and called for enhanced evidence-based decision making for sustainable agriculture development in the Pacific islands. The group urged leaders to think about policy priorities and issues to help identify key data needs.

From the government perspective, improved data availability implies value being realized through improved policy decisions, better monitoring of current policies and programmes, and improved public and private investment.

You can read the data scoping report at:
http://www.faopacific.ws/Publications/Reports/tabid/4437/language/en-US/Default.aspx