NEWSPAGE 23 May
2011

(Photo: City Gallery Wellington)

NEW ZEALAND: New exhibition 'Maiden Aotearoa' announced for Deane Gallery

(Photo: CBS Broadcasting)

SAMOA: Samoa to benefit from hosting new Survivor series
Source: Australia Network News

The peak business group in Samoa says the local economy will benefit from hosting the US version of the reality television show, Survivor.

The filming is expected to generate around $US6 million for the Samoan economy.

It is predicted Survivor will also give Samoa's tourism industry a boost through publicity.

The CEO of the Samoan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nynette Sass, has told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat program, many jobs will be created.

"I think the overwhelming feeling by the locals is it will provide a lot of employment opportunities, which it did the last time," he said.

"This was additional employment that was made before, so the locals...were also benefiting because they were providing a lot of the local produce and local materials."

Tonga was initially expected to host the television show this year, but lost the contract after organisers failed to agree with locals on prices for hotel accommodation.

Photo Captions: The filming is expected to generate around $US6 million for the Samoan economy.

(Photos: Taimi Media Network)

AUSTRALIA: Rescued Colonel a matter for Fiji and Tonga, says Marles
Source: Taimi Media Network

Australia’s Parliamentary Secretary to the Pacific Islands, Richard Marles says the perceived tension between Fiji and Tonga over the Tongan Navy’s rescue of an alleged mutineer in the Fijian army, could be settled easily between the countries without Australian intervention.

“Its really just a matter for Tonga and Fiji, but of course we’re monitoring the situation very closely,” Marles told Tonga Chronicle.

Marles is in Nuku‘alofa, on his way to the upcoming Forum Trade Minister meeting in Vava’u, where a major focus would be on the region-wide trade agreement Pacer Plus.

Marles said Pacer Plus is a fundamental interest for Australia in terms of Pacific Islands’ development.

“We’re very keen to see Pacer Plus occur,” said Marles.

Recently Australia’s Trade Minister Craig Emerson launched his Trade Policy Statement, and Pacer Plus is not on the list of Australia’s trade priorities.

Marles said the policy statement is about markets for Australian trade, whereas Pacer Plus is more about island countries opening up markets in Australia and New Zealand.

“But we shouldn’t read from that any lack of interest in Pacer Plus by Australia,” he said.

Another key component of Pacer Plus is the mobilisation of the islands’ skilled labour market, which has seen more than 450 participants take up the opportunity working in Australian horticultural fields, with Tonga racking a significant share.

The program is still a pilot scheme for Australia and four other Pacific island countries, and is currently under evaluation, where Marles hopes would provide some insights for upsizing the scheme and the apparent success for Tongans.

“We do hope that more people would take up the opportunity,”

Whilst in Nuku‘alofa Marles signed an ‘umbrella Memorandum of Understanding” with Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano, a general agreement for Australian development assistance for Tonga in the next financial term.

It comprises a total of AUD$32 million, with $19 of which committed to direct bilateral assistance to Tonga, and the rest through multilateral assistance.

A further million was donated as budget support, earmarked to finance teachers and nurses salaries.

“The timely release of these funds will ensure the on-going payment of salaries for health and education workers such as primary and secondary teachers and doctors and nurses,” he stated.

“Tonga is to be congratulated for the excellent progress it has made in meeting agreed public financial management reforms, including strengthened public sector procurement practices and improved efficiency and timeliness of government payments.”

Lord Tu’ivakano expressed heartfelt gratitude for ongoing assistance.

But he also remarked on the real challenge for sustainable development for Tonga, in terms of balancing Tonga’s humongous trade deficits.

“Tonga imports more from other countries, even Fiji than it exports,” he said.

He also said there needs to be greater attention to biosecurity restrictions issues in the region.

Photo Captions: (L-R) Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano, and Australian Parliament’s Secretary for Pacific Affairs, Hon. Richard Marles.

(Photo: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme)

TONGA: Recipient of Greg Urwin Award based at SPREP
Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Press Release

The Pacific environment is the focus of a Greg Urwin Award now underway at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

Mr Taniela Faletau of Tonga is one of the five awardees for 2010, but the second recipient ever to implement the award which funds short term placement at a Pacific regional organisation of choice. While this is the second induction of five candidates since the Greg Urwin Awards were launched in 2009 other recipients are still currently undertaking their studies.

Mr Faletau has spent the past four years pursuing his doctoral studies on ‘Addressing the environmental impact of a strong development paradigm in small island developing states in the face of climatic change’. Having completed theory work, he is now learning ‘on the job’ about sustainable development and climate change adaptation at SPREP.

“The liberty of these Awards is being given the opportunity to choose from a range of regional organisations. I chose SPREP as I know they are at the forefront of environmental management in the Pacific. It is here that major Pacific environmental policy is made determining outcomes for many Pacific island people,” said Faletau.

“In that context I knew that coming here would help with my specialized growth as an aspiring environmental professional. The technical staff here are highly proficient in carrying out their prescribed duties and the prospect of working alongside them, learning of the best you might say, was a privilege I was not going to let, pass me by.”

11 years ago Mr. Faletau completed a Bachelor of Resource Studies majoring in Environmental Policy and Planning, following this he worked in Tonga helping to form the first Lagoon Management Plan before completing his Masters in Environmental Studies majoring in Environmental Sustainability.

Now one month away from completing his PhD studies, Faletau is based in Apia, Samoa until September, learning from staff of the Pacific Futures programme at SPREP.

“We welcome the opportunity to work with Taniela during his months here with us at SPREP. He has brought a fresh perspective to our discussions and is knowledgeable about the climate change issues in the region. It is encouraging also that he picked SPREP over the other regional organizations. Hopefully both Taniela and SPREP will gain a great deal from his placement with us,” said SPREP’s Climate Change Adviser Mr Espen Ronneberg.

The Greg Urwin Awards were established in memory of the late Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, with the support of the Australian Government. They are made available to Pacific students who show potential to become prominent leaders in their chosen field.

The first candidate to implement the Greg Urwin Award was Superintendent Michael So’onalole who spent time with the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). The candidates were selected from those undertaking higher level academic studies as part of the Australian Leadership Awards scholarship programme on an annual basis.

Photo Caption: (L-R) Greg Urwin Award recipient Taniela Faletau with SPREP’s Climate Change Adviser Mr Espen Ronneberg.
 

(Photo: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega)

USA: US Coast Guard celebrate Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega Press Release

Congressman Faleomavaega recently announced that at the invitation of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Headquarters in Washington, D.C., he joined members of the U.S. Coast Guard on May 12, 2011 to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year.

Welcoming the Congressman to USCG Headquarters were Vice Admiral Sally Brice O’Hara, Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard; Rear Admiral Rabago, Assistant Commandant for Engineering and Logistics; and Ms. Giao Phan, Deputy Director of Acquisition.

The theme of this year’s event was “Leadership, Diversity, Empowerment, and Beyond” and the emcees were Lieutenant Commander Michael Sharp and Lieutenant Jocelyn Soriano, Co-chairs of the Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Group at the USCG Headquarters.

As keynote speaker, the Congressman acknowledged and called attention to the history of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and most importantly the contributions by Asian and Pacific Americans to the success of our nation.

“It was indeed an honor for me to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with members of the U.S. Coast Guard. As most of our Samoan people know, members of the Coast Guard were among the first responders to the earthquake and tsunami that occurred in American Samoa in September 2009. With the most recent earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan, many Coast Guard personnel have also been deployed overseas to assist in the relief efforts,” Congressman Faleomavaega stated.

“The U.S. Coast Guard has a long history of service to our people in American Samoa that dates back several decades. A couple of our own prominent leaders, the late Paramount Chief Letuli Toloa of Iliili, and the late High Chief Mata’utia Tuiafono Paepaega of Afono, both retired after serving for many years in the U.S. Coast Guard. Paramount Chief Letuli was formerly President of the Senate and High Chief Mata’utia was formerly Speaker of the House and served as Senator as well.”

“As many federal agencies and military installations gather to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, I thank the Coast Guard for their leadership and service in American Samoa and throughout the Asia-Pacific region,” the Congressman added.

“I would like to thank the U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters for the kind invitation extended to me to participate in this year’s celebration. It was a pleasure to take part in such a wonderful event that highlighted the diversity and beauty of Asian and Pacific Islander cultures. I thank Vice Admiral O'Hara, Rear Admiral Rabago, and Deputy Director Phan for hosting this special event,” Congressman Faleomavaega stated.

“I also would like to acknowledge Chief Warrant Officer William Ernestburg and Lieutenant Daniel Lee, who is from American Samoa, for their assistance and the entire Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Group for highlighting the beautiful cultures of Asia and the Pacific during this year’s celebration,” the Congressman concluded.
 

(Photo: Pacific Islands Applied GeoScience Commission)

WORLDWIDE: Workshop to set platform for management of deep seabed minerals
Source: Pacific Islands Applied GeoScience Commission Press Release

A major project to address legislative, regulatory, capacity requirements and environmental issues pertaining to deep sea mineral mining for countries in the Pacific region will be launched at a three-day workshop from June 6 through June 8 in Nadi.

The Deep Sea Minerals Project, administered by SOPAC, a division of SPC, and funded by EU, is to develop a legislative and regulatory framework for deep-sea mineral mining over a four-year period.

“This will help ensure that sustainable resource management would bring tangible benefits to Pacific Island Countries and their people”, said Akuila Tawake, Deep Sea Minerals Project Team Leader.

The workshop, a part of the Project, reflects the growing interest in the region with the first commercial mining lease being granted in Papua New Guinea territorial waters to mine ‘high grade’ Seafloor Massive Sulphide (SMS) deposits.

SMS deposits include copper, gold, silver, zinc and lead.

This, in turn has triggered growing interest in mining deep-sea minerals in the Pacific Region. In addition to SMS, the seabed of the region is abundant in manganese nodules and cobalt rich crusts.

Presently, about eight countries in the region have granted and/or are at various stages of granting exploration licenses but specific policy, legislation and regulations necessary for the control of deep-sea mineral resources are lacking.

“The purpose of the workshop is to help representatives of those countries participating in the Project to better understand issues related to seabed minerals and mining,” said Mr. Tawake.
“In addition,” he said, “this workshop would allow stakeholders, including representatives of participating countries, to discuss all aspects of the project and work towards an agreement on a way forward for the next four years.”

Fifteen of the world’s top technical, policy and environmental experts on issues relating to deep sea minerals will take part in the workshop.

“These are world renowned experts who are specialists in their own fields of studies and interests. We are fortunate to secure their services for the regional workshop,” said Mr Tawake.
He said that they are expected to provide the necessary advice and guidance during the workshop.

The workshop will be followed by a two-day steering committee meeting of these selected experts on June 9 and 10 on an assessment of regional marine mineral resources. The assessment will be based on past scientific studies and exploration.

“This meeting is part of the SPC and the Norway based UNEP/GRID-Arendal, (the United Nations Environment Programme information office) partnership,” said Mr Tawake. It is expected that the outcomes from this assessment will take one year to complete.”

Countries that are participating in the Project are the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

Photo Caption: Deep Sea Mineral Project Team Leader, Akuila Tawale.