NEWSPAGE 27 June
2011

(Photo: Pacific Youth Awards)

NEW ZEALAND: Young Pacific people with talent and passion apply here

(Photo: Pacific Islands Applied GeoScience Commission)

SAMOA: Seabed mineral regulations necessary for Samoa
Source: Pacific Islands Applied GeoScience Commission Press Release

At the three-day ‘high level’ Deep Sea Minerals Mining Meeting workshop key issues were identified that need to be addressed towards the commercialisation of deep seabed mining in the Pacific region.

The EU funded, SPC/SOPAC Division-organised Meeting workshop took place from June 6 to 8 in Fiji, and focused on legislative, regulatory, capacity requirements, and the environment, all of which pertain to deep-sea minerals and mining.

Representing Samoa at the workshop was Mr. Lameko Talia, Principal Scientific Officer, Geology and Geophysics of the Meteorology Division of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, who said that the issues raised had shown the imperative for Samoa to put regulatory policy in place, and for a review of existing seabed mineral data.

Mr. Talia said he was inspired by the workshop, and was eager to see a ‘Sea Act’ formulated that would directly apply to Deep Sea Minerals and Mining. “We need to put policies in place, and we definitely would want to work with SPC/SOPAC Division on this.”

Samoa has a principal, overarching The Lands, Surveys and Environment Act, passed in 1989, The Land for Foreign Purposes Act 1992/1993 and National regulations, policies and strategies that cover sand and gravel mining, water, and the conservation of flora and fauna, parks and reserve lands.

Apart from the 1989 Act, there is “no provision specifically for the mining of minerals, whether on land or offshore.”

Mr. Talia said that at present, mining on Samoa was confined to coastal sand mining and aggregate quarrying for building roads and other infrastructure, and that deep sea mineral mining for commercial purposes “would be a first for Samoa.”

“Past deep-sea mineral research led to the discovery of deposits of cobalt-rich crust, within Samoa’s Extended Economic Zone (EEZ). The deposits are medium sized in comparison with those discovered in the EEZ of offshore Cook Islands for example, but there are deposits there,” said Mr. Talia.

“All previous research says the amounts are worthwhile investigating further, and could possibly generate economic incentives for the people of Samoa.”

“We have a potential resource, but the existing data needs to be reviewed. If we are economically minded, we need to pinpoint exactly how much ore exists with a thorough exploration using the new 3D bathymetry technology that is now available. This is essential if there is to be any possibility of mining these deposits.”

Mr. Talia said it was important to look to the examples set by other Pacific Island nations, such as Papua New Guinea and Nauru, and make sure that the funds generated are channeled back to the community, to improve the country’s GDP.

“This raises issues of transparency, and as a vital part of any investment in seabed mining, information must be published for public review. In this way there is no possibility of misappropriation, and all parties are kept honest,” explained Mr. Talia.

“It is essential that we enforce contracts, make sure that all safeguards are in place before, during and at the end of a mining operation,” said Mr. Talia.

“For example, we don’t want old machinery left on the beaches. Samoa has a beautiful but fragile environment, and as tourism is a major revenue earner for the country, it is essential to maintain pristine waters and beaches.

“We don’t want people to stay away because environment has been degraded as a result of mining activities.”

Mr. Talia said that in order to develop the possibility of off-shore, deep sea mineral mining, it would be necessary to follow up, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Samoa’s status in relation to making the country’s Maritime Boundaries submissions to the United Nations.

“As a geologist from the Ministry of Natural resources, I found this to be an inspiring workshop. There is no other Ministry in Samoa to regulate mineral resources, so we are the right people to be taking on this topic. Perhaps further along, we could develop a specific Minerals Division,” Mr. Talia concluded.

Photo Caption: Mr Lameko Talia of Samoa during a break at the Deep Sea Minerals Meeting in Nadi, Fiji.
 

(Photo: Australian Associated Press)

AUSTRALIA: Australian mint a hit with Pacific nations
Source: Australia Network News

The Crown Prince of Tonga says his country will join Samoa by having its coins made at the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra.

Samoan representatives attended the official launch of the production of Samoa's new coins on Thursday.

Tonga's Crown Prince Tupouto'a Lavaka says the new government will also be updating the country's national currency.

"I wanted to come and see how the processes work and of course this is the new refurbished Royal Australian Mint," he said.

"We, like Samoa, have our own coins. And we are looking in about two years' time to look at renewing our currency. That's already in the pipeline now."


Mint magic

At the mint's Canberra factory, Samoan Government representatives struck their brand new coins, which will enter into circulation later this year.

Since the mint was upgraded in 2009, it has been able to accept contracts from other countries.

The Samoan deal is one of the mint's first large-scale international jobs.

Chief executive of the Royal Australian Mint, Ross MacDiarmid, says the mint could provide similar services to other Pacific nations.

"The geographical proximity [of Samoa] provides us with an opportunity to provide these sort of coins, hopefully to other Pacific island countries as well," he said.

"We can clearly provide the service - we have got the capacity - and we are just next door. So hopefully this will be the start of other opportunities for us in the Pacific."

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Unitech prepare for rugby league challenge in Australia
Source: The National

With less than a week to go, 30 University of Technology students in Lae are preparing to travel to Australia for the four nations rugby league cup challenge.

The students will play teams from Britain and Australia. However, New Zealand pulled out due to the recent earthquake.

Student rugby league development officer Edward Gisoba said the PNG University Kundus will play the Australian University Kangaroos this Friday followed by another match against Great Britain on July 6.

On July 8, the Kundus will face Brisbane University before meeting an Australian Indigenous side.
He said the Kundus were focusing on the game against the Australian teams because most of the players were competing in the Toyota Cup challenge.

However, they will go down memory lane to 1973 when a team from PNG called the PNG Hitech played the Sydney Wollongong and James Cook universities and came out victorious.

It was around that time when the former Kumul halfback and current Northern Zone rugby league development officer Steve Malum caught the eyes of selectors.

The students are calling on business houses and the government to support them after paying for their medical checks, levy fees, passports and visas.

Digicel Pacific and Wia Trading Ltd are the only companies who have provided support so far.
Last weekend, the students organised a clean-a-thon from Snack Bar down Air Corps Road to Lae main market as part of their campaign to raise funds for their trip.

He said the PNG NRL Bid team chief executive officer Brad Tassel had helped the Kundus with national colour jumpers during the matches.
 

(Photo: Solomon Star)

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Government leaders listen to children
Source: Solomon Star

Children discussed with Ethel Sigimanu, Permanent Secretary and Under Secretary EvansTuhagenga of the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) to indentify ideas and possible solutions to ensure children enjoy their rights.

The theme of the discussion was “Moving forward to ensure Children of the Solomon Islands enjoy their rights” and the concept is about developing practical ideas and solutions.

This forum discussion, held at Mendana Hotel last Friday, encouraged dialogue between children and key Government leaders, and was facilitated through Save the Children’s ‘Child Advocacy Project’ (CAP), which is funded by AusAID.

Present at the discussion included Member for Rannoga/Simbo and Minister for Health and Medical Services, Charles Sigoto; Director of the Youth Division (MWYCFA), Edward Anisitolo; and Director of Children’s Division (MWYCFA), Jame Rizzu. Also part of the dialogue was Georgia Noy, Program Director for Save the Children, and most importantly Jack Samani, Children’s representative who is a Baranamba Child Club member.

The event included a presentation of prizes to the children who excelled in poetry, speech and essay competitions. Best poem was awarded to Stella Ray, whilst the prize winner for the essay competition was Loana Sisifiu, and the prize speaker was Linmah Daniel.

The poems, essays and speeches were all presented and of an extremely high quality, as were the songs, dancing and dramas performed. Children from Masuru, Simbo performed an exceptional drama depicting various scenes that reflected how Children’s Rights must be realized. It was the first time for many of the Children from Simbo to visit Honiara. They shared their experiences and said they will never forget their first visit to their capital city. As one child said “hem barava cold in some of the houses, it was the first time for me to feel air conditioning! And seeing the big buildings and many cars was a big surprise for me. I am glad I can now say I have seen Honiara”.

The Government Representatives and Save the Children said they are committed to strengthening direct relationships with children so they have a space to participate, and to strengthening partnerships with important stakeholders who work with children. The PS for MWYCFA commented about the need for collaboration: “the more we all collaborate together, the more effective our work is, so the more likely that children’s rights will be fulfilled”. Yesterday’s forum was so important because it gave safe space for children to discuss some critical issues relating to their own rights, the opportunity for them to ask direct questions to the Government representatives, as well as the environment for everyone to collectively and creatively think about practical solutions.

CAP Manager, Emmanuel Maesua, thanked AusAID for their support and said the aim of this event is to mobilize the public in the Solomon Islands to Stand with Children, for the Children.

Success of such an advocacy event is inherently linked to what action actually happens after the event has finished. The Government and Save the Children, together with these amazing children who expressed their opinions yesterday, are very much looking forward to being a part of the change and being a part of enabling the discussed Child Rights solutions come to life.

Photo Caption: Masuru Child Club from the Western province taking part in the singing competition.

(Photo: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme)

WORLDWIDE: New agreement gives hope for Pacific birdlife
Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Press Release

The BirdLife International Pacific Partnership and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) have signed a revised Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will strengthen the two organisations’ efforts to work on joint conservation objectives across the region.

“This is an important document for our future collaboration”, said David Sheppard - Director of SPREP. “By focusing on specific area of cooperation, the MoU will make more effective use of the respective capacities and strengths of both our organisations.

SPREP is a regional organisation established by the governments and administrations of the Pacific region to look after its environment. Its mandate is to promote cooperation in the Pacific islands region and to provide assistance in order to protect and improve the environment and to ensure sustainable development for present and future generations”.

The MoU acknowledges that the Pacific region has more threatened bird species per unit of land area or per person than any other region in the world, and the most extinctions.

“Birds have long been recognised as effective indicators of biodiversity condition and concerns”, said Don Stewart - Director for the BirdLife Pacific Partnership. “It is the stated aim of SPREP and BirdLife that no more bird species must be allowed to become extinct in the Pacific region, and that the conservation status of threatened birds must be improved”.

The revised MoU seeks to enhance co-operation between Birdlife and SPREP to achieve the following joint objectives:

• Collaborate on delivering conservation action to improve the status of the globally threatened species and the status of Important Bird Areas within the Pacific region.
• Collaborate in the implementation of the “Invasive Species Management Guidelines for the Pacific”.
• Extend to each other standing invitations to be represented by observers at appropriate meetings, including the annual SPREP Meeting and the biannual BirdLife Pacific Partnership Meetings and to co-sponsor relevant meetings.
• Keep respective memberships informed of co-operative activities undertaken pursuant to the MOU.

The MoU was signed on Monday 13th June in Suva, Fiji.

Photo Caption: A Golden Plover in Samoa, a migratory bird that travels annually to the Pacific region from Alaska to feed and develop their summer plumage before migrating back home.