NEWSPAGE 25 July
2011

(Photo: Dani McDonald / CityLife Newspapers)

NEW ZEALAND: Website launched for Pacific events in Wellington Festival of Carnivals

SAMOA: Integrated approach is key to the implementation of Green Economy
Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Press Release

An all encompassing, integrated and inclusive approach was identified as a key to the successful implementation of Green Economy in the Pacific. This was the strong message that came out of the two day Open Forum for the Rio+20 Pacific Preparatory meeting.

“For a Green Economy to succeed, it will require private sector investment and support, institutional capacity, a socially inclusive and participatory process and an unwavering political will,” said Mr Iosefa Maiava, Head of UNESCAP Pacific Office.

‘The Mauritius Strategy (MSI)’, addresses the unique vulnerabilities of small island developing states (SIDS) and promotes Green Economy and Green Growth as an alternative approach to achieve sustainable development. A Green Economy is a timely response to the challenges faced by the SIDs in the Pacific bought on by the recent global, financial, fuel and food crises, as well as the impacts of Climate Change.

“Pacific Island nations have to identify a suitable approach to involve all the sectors, communities and organisations for the successful implementation of green economy in their islands,” said Mr Taulealeausumai Laavasa Malua, CEO for Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. “We need to put our Pacific fingerprint on the final Rio+20 document in 2012, to ensure that the main issues remain visible and are a priority at the global arena.”

The Green economy requires a multi stakeholder approach requiring support and partnership from village communities through to organisations and private sectors up to the Government level. One unique aspect of the Pacific that must not be forgotten and should be integrated into the whole of society process is Culture. According to Mr Feiloakitau Tevi, General Secretary of the Pacific Council of Churches, “some of the solutions can be found in our traditional lifestyles, we just need to revisit, capture and share sustainable traditional knowledge and lifestyles. We also need to include the large informal sector that makes up an average of 60% of all Pacific Island economies.”

At the community level, empowering the villages to conduct green initiatives will strengthen the livelihoods for both present and future generations, bring about greater social equity and less poverty. At the government level ownership is crucial for leadership in identifying how the green growth and green economy approaches can be integrated into national plans, policies and budgets. One clear example of this is the Cook Islands - “The political will from the Prime Minister and Government to drive renewable energy initiatives has made it easier to implement green activities in Cook Islands,” stated Ms Elizabeth Koteka, Director of Planning and Policy.

Another key partner to a successful Green Economy for the Pacific is the private sector. Greening businesses and markets is a critical element of green growth as the private sector is considered the engine of development. However their role depends on the availability of financial support and incentives, as stressed by Ms Mereia Volavola, CEO of the Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO), “we need funds to support the private sector in building our capacity for green business.”

The need for funding support and capacity development were highlighted as two of the common challenges amongst the different sectors during the Open Forum discussions. The two day Open Forum concluded on Thursday (July 21, 2011).
 

(Photo: Malum Nalu)

AUSTRALIA: Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels honoured in PNG
Source: Australian Department of Defence

The Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels’ contribution to supporting Australians in Papua New Guinea during the Second World War has been honoured on Saturday (July 23, 2011) at a ceremony in Port Moresby.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Warren Snowdon was represented at the ceremony, held at the Bomana War Cemetery, by Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Senator the Hon David Feeney, who presented commemorative medallions to 13 recipients.

Senator Feeney said the medallions were just one way to show our gratitude to the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels.

“We are forever indebted to the kindness and the invaluable assistance they provided to Australians during the Second World War,” Senator Feeney said.

“Many Australians survived the Kokoda campaign due to the strength and compassion of these brave people. Greater casualties and loss of life among the troops would have occurred if not for the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels.”

Senator Feeney paid tribute to all Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels saying they represented the spirit of what we held so dear in Australia - courage, tenacity and mateship.

Affectionately known as Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, an estimated 50,000 Papuan and New Guinean civilians supported Australia in the Second World War by carrying supplies, building bases, airfields and other wartime infrastructure, and evacuating the sick and the wounded from fighting zones.

They also helped Australian soldiers trek through the jungles of the Owen Stanley Ranges, including the infamous Kokoda track.

More than 600 Australians were killed and over 1000 wounded during the Kokoda campaign.

Mr Snowdon said the Australian Government was pleased that 34 Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels had been presented with the Commemorative Medallion since it was first announced in 2009.

“I would encourage other Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels and their widows to consider applying for a medallion to recognise the individual contribution they, or their loved one has made to our country’s servicemen.

“It is important to ensure all surviving Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, and the widows of Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels are honoured with a commemorative medallion,” Mr Snowdon said.

For more information on medallion nominations contact the Department of Veterans’ Affairs on 02 6289 6136 or visit www.dva.gov.au
 

Photo Caption: Medallion recipients (front row) with dignitaries (back row) including Australia's Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator the Hon David Feeney, who presented the medallions.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Lest we forget, says Governor-General
Source: The National
 

Remembrance Day is a time to renew a sense of belonging and togetherness in managing the nation’s affairs, Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio says.

He said this was by taking a comprehensive view of the formal and informal institutions, their mandates, capabilities and activities to further strengthen “our resolve in contributing” to the country’s development.

Speaking during the 30th Remembrance Day, Sir Michael said in Port Moresby it was an important national day and not just another holiday.

“It is a visible occasion that bring people together to share the memories and events of the World War 2 - the atrocities, the sacrifice, the fear and the courage of the fallen heroes,” he said.

Sir Michael said it was that moment in history where the country’s forefathers united from many different tribes speaking different languages, meeting each other and defined their new roles and responsibilities to free our land.

“It is a fitting occasion to pay tribute to these great men who paid the ultimate price for our freedom and statehood,” he said.

Sir Michael thanked God for giving the fallen heroes the courage to endure the difficult and enduring times and prayed for His blessings on those who lost their lives.

“We must pay homage and respect to the many people who provided essential support as carriers of the wounded and injured in the defence of our land,” he said.

Sir Michael said that special tribute must go to PNG’s foreign allies who lost their lives on the country’s soil, especially soldiers from Australia, New Zealand and United States of America.
 

(Photo: Solomon Star)

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Eagon provides more scholarships
Source: Solomon Star
 

Eagon Pacific Plantation Limited has provided more scholarships this year for local students under its scholarship scheme.

The company’s Managing Director Insup Shin last week confirmed that about 15 scholarships have been provided to local students where the company is operating.

“The company is pleased to provide scholarship for 15 students studying in secondary schools from form 4 above, colleges and tertiary institutions in Solomon Islands in 2011,” he said.

The scholarship offers were provided to local communities as part of the company’s recognition in human resource development.

“The company has assisted communities in the area of providing scholarships because it believes in development of human resources,” he said.

Since 2010 the company has established Eagon Western foundation scholarship to provide scholarships to the students.

Mr Shin said the company is committed to improving and increasing its scholarship in the future and wishes the recipients all the best in their studies.

Eagon Pacific Plantation Limited is a long time company operating in the country.

It purchased the Viru Harbour Plantations on 27th October 1995 through an acquisition agreement entered into between the parties.

The total land area is 25,015 hectares. Upon acquiring the land, the company has embarked on its developmental objectives.

The company now manages forest plantation in New Georgia to maintain sustainable forest management and keeps investing by injecting multi-millions of cash every year.

The company also runs the only veneer processing mill in the country.

This is in line with company policy in encouraging downstream processing in Solomon Islands.

The company strives to adhere to best practices by making its operations environmentally socially and economically responsible.

On 22nd November 2010 Wood mark Soil Association based in England awarded FSC certificate to the company upon approval by Forest Stewardship Council based in Germany.

FSC certification is the highest award worldwide given to a Forestry Company that is Environmentally, Socially and Economically Responsible.
 

Photo Caption: Simi Kera Haro, one of the recipients who will be studying at SICHE with Eagon's Managing Director of Insup Shin during the presentation.

(Photo: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat)

WORLDWIDE: FEMM: Broadening the economic base
Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release

Economic Ministers reconfirmed their commitment to expanding the economic base through a host of initiatives including the development of the private sector.

“At previous meetings, Forum Economic Ministers considered and agreed on ways to manage Pacific economies through policy responses such as safeguarding macroeconomic stability, pursuing reforms to create an enabling environment for private sector development and strengthening areas of comparative advantage such as agriculture, tourism and fisheries sectors,” said the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade.

“Persevering with implementation of such policies is essential.”

Added Mr Slade: “It is appropriate in that respect that Broadening the Economic Base was the overarching theme for this year’s Forum Economic Ministers’ Meeting (FEMM), one so crucial to enhancing economic prospects for the region.”

Former governor of Fiji’s Reserve Bank, Savenaca Narube, and former Minister for Finance of the Kingdom of Tonga, Siosiua Utoikomanu, presented to Ministers on the topic of ‘Broadening the economic base’.

“Taking into account the diversity of our nations’ sizes and potential of the private sector, the Ministers agreed to promote private sector development,” said Mr Narube.

“We need to continue with the public sector reforms, including for State Owned Enterprises, by developing a clear national road map, an inclusive communication strategy and adequate safety nets.”

Mr Utoikamanu added that in persevering with these difficult reforms, leadership, maintaining political stability and building a coalition for change through proactive consultations with private sector and the community is important.

The Ministers recognised that while reforms are essential to broadening the economic base, they need to frame a package of supportive policies to allocate budget resources more effectively, build capacity and governance in State Owned Enterprises and key public institutions, promote growth sectors and develop inclusive communication strategies and measures to enable growth to benefit the wide communities.

Photo Caption: Siosiua Utoikomanu and Savenaca Narube presenting to 2011 FEMM on broadening economic base.