NEWSROOM 01 July
2009

(Photo: For Da Grind)

NEW ZEALAND: "For Da Grind" (4DG) debut album launch

(Photo: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme)

SAMOA: Adapting to our century’s challenge with this Pacific response
Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Press Release

The single biggest and most important regional adaptation to climate change project that spans 13 countries is the focus of a one week workshop in Apia, Samoa.

The Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change Project (PACC) opened its inception training today (June 29, 2009) with over 50 participants coming together to discus the administration and implementation of the US 13.125 Million dollar project.

The week not only marks the inception of the PACC Project, but also the start of the very first region wide adaptation project to help countries address the adverse affects of climate change.

The importance of this workshop was echoed by the Associate Minister of Environment of Samoa, Hon. Fonotoe Nuafesili Pierre Lauofo, during his opening speech.

“For the PACC project to succeed we need to build a solid foundation to the project work that you are about to embark on in the next five years.”

There will be adaptation projects happening in 3 different areas within the 13 pacific islands countries.

Fiji, Palau, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands will focus on food production and food security.

The Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Samoa and Vanuatu are developing Coastal Management capacity; Nauru, Niue, Republic of Marshall Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu are looking to strengthen their water resource management.

“At risk are not just people, but unique human cultures, born and bred in watery isolation. Faced with inundation, some of these people are beginning to envision the wholesale abandonment of their nations,” stated Kosi Latu, the Acting Director of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

Ms. Naheed Haque of the United Development Programme (UNDP), the implementing agency of PACC is confident the inception workshop will help to explore opportunities for effective implementation of PACC so it makes a visible difference in the lives of Pacific people.

“Together, we can fight this new and daunting battle of the millennium - climate change.”

Day one of the workshop allowed for an overview of PACC and to hear different country presentations on PACC opportunities and challenges in their home island.

The workshop will end on Friday 3 July after a full week of discussing the different administrative and reporting requirements and allow for stronger partnerships.

The PACC is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as its implementing agency and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) as implementing partner.

For more details please contact PACC Project Manager, Taito Nakalevu

E: [email protected] T: (685) 21929 F: (685) 20231 W: www.sprep.org

Photo Caption: Participants at the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change Project (PACC) workshop in Apia.

(Photo: U.S. Government)

AMERICAN SAMOA: Energy action plans established for territories
Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega Press Release

Congressman Faleomavaega announced recently that the House, by a vote of 219 to 212, passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. The bill, H.R. 2454, would create clean energy jobs, achieve energy independence, reduce global warming pollution and transition to a clean energy economy. Pertinent to the energy needs of the Territories, Title II, Subtitle G, Section 273 would establish a team of experts to assist any affiliated island including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the United States Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.

“I want to thank Chairman Waxman and Ranking Member Barton of the Committee on Energy and Commerce for recognizing the vast potential for the use of renewable energy in the territories. The high cost of fuel, coupled with the current economic recession, has adversely impact the economies of the Territories making the transition to renewable energy critical. More significantly, the Territories provide some of the best national opportunities to promote renewable energy because of their vast potential for deploying onshore and offshore wind, solar, energy-from-waste, wave and tidal energy, and ocean thermal energy conversion technology. I thank the Committee for this bill, H.R. 2454, would provide the territories with the necessary technical expertise, planning, as well as capital to invest in technology, to facilitate transition to renewable energy,” Faleomavaega said.

“I also want to thank Congresswoman Christensen for her leadership and to all the delegates for their hard work and effort in making sure that the needs of the territories are addressed. For some time now, the delegates have been working together to explore possible partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and all the territories to establish and develop Action Plans for the use of renewable energy,” Faleomavaega said.

“Although the impetus for such an undertaking is found in existing Congressional directives under the Energy Act of 2005, a recent initiative established by the State of Hawaii with the support of DOE, spawned further actions by the delegates. In essence, the Hawaiian Clean Energy Initiative establishes and implements an Action Plan for the State of Hawaii to become less dependent on fossil fuel.”

“Language in H.R. 2454 lays a similar framework for the Territories. In essence, the bill provides that the Secretary of DOE shall assemble a team of technical, policy, and financial experts to develop and implement an energy action plan for each of the affiliated islands to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels through increased efficiency and use of indigenous clean-energy resources. In light of the current economic crisis and the rising costs of fuel, this bill provides the essential framework for American Samoa to transition towards the use of renewable energy,” Faleomavaega explained.

“The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, H.R. 2454, is now on its way to the Senate and I will continue to follow this matter closely,” Faleomavaega concluded.

Photo Caption: Congressman Faleomavaega thanks the Committee for the H.R. 2454 bill, which will provide the territories with the necessary technical expertise, planning, as well as capital to invest in technology, to facilitate transition to renewable energy.

(Photos: World Health Organization / Secretariat of the Pacific Community)

FIJI: WHO & SPC donate protective equipment and Tamiflu to Fiji MoH
Source: WHO/SPC Joint Press Release

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) are supporting Fiji's response to the H1N1 influenza pandemic, with financial help from Australia and New Zealand.

During the past two weeks, WHO donated 157,000 capsules of Tamiflu to Fiji. Approximately 10,000 additional capsules have also been sent to Fiji by SPC. Pandemic H1N1 influenza is a mild illness in most persons; therefore WHO recommends giving Tamiflu only to patients with risk factors for severe influenza. These supplies provide Fiji with enough antiviral medication to treat approximately 2% of the population.

For protection of health care workers taking care of patients with severe influenza cases, both agencies are also donating a large amount of personal protective equipment:

Surgical masks (WHO provided 48,000; SPC will provide an additional 370,000);
Latex examination gloves (WHO will provide 82,000; SPC 740,000)
Aprons/gowns (WHO 41,000; SPC 77,000)
Alcohol-based hand disinfectant (WHO 400 litres; SPC 2,500 litres).

These donations were made possible with support from the Australian and New Zealand government agencies for international development, and Roche, the manufacturer of Tamiflu.

Fiji is the first Pacific country to have received the masks, but supplies are currently being shipped to 11 other Pacific Island countries and territories: Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

WHO assisted Fiji to build a state-of-the-art laboratory in Tamavua to diagnose influenza, including the new H1N1 illness, and both WHO and SPC are supporting many other countries in strengthening laboratory capacity and surveillance in collaboration with other partners such as the US Centres for Disease Control.

The illness is spreading rapidly in countries such as Australia and New Zealand. Although the Fiji Islands government is taking the appropriate measures to slow the spread of the illness, it is expected that more cases will appear in Fiji in the coming days and weeks.

Dr. Chen, the WHO representative for the South Pacific, points out that in most patients the illness is mild. However, in a small percentage of cases the illness may become more serious. People at risk of developing severe influenza are persons with underlying conditions such as diabetes, obesity, chronic heart disease, asthma; the very old; the very young; people who have a weakened immune system; and pregnant women.

WHO and SPC call on the public to help slow the spread of this disease. Like most respiratory infections, influenza is mostly transmitted through direct contact such as shaking hands, or at short distances by coughing or sneezing. WHO advises people to:

· wash hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis,

· cover their nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing,

· not touch their face,

· seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness, and

· stay at home if they are ill.

If you notice an unusual amount of flu-like illness in your community, call your nearest health facility immediately.

People who are ill should stay home from work or school, and postpone travel. Those developing symptoms within 7 days following international travel or following any other exposure to influenza patients should seek medical attention.

In addition to the above advice, travellers travelling to affected areas are also advised to avoid:

· crowded situations, especially indoors;

· shaking hands and kissing when exchanging greetings; and

· close contact (less than 2 metres) with people who are obviously ill.

Additional information is available from the following:

WHO global website: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html

The Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network website: http://www.spc.int/phs/PPHSN/Outbreak/Influenza_A_H1N1.htm

WHO South Pacific website: http://www.wpro.who.int/southpacific/home.htm

CDC H1N1 flu website: http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/

Or by contacting the WHO South Pacific office: +679-3234100
 

(Photo: Appareil Photo)

TAHITI: France appoints new overseas communities secretary
Source: Oceania Flash via Pacific Islands Report

French overseas communities, including the three located in the Pacific, now have a new State Secretary in charge of their affairs: she is Mrs Marie-Luce Penchard, 50, who replaces Mr Yves Jégo at the sensitive portfolio.

Mrs Penchard was since late 2007 a technical advisor at the French Presidency and at the same time in charge of French overseas matters within the ruling party UMP.

As a result of a reshuffle announced on Tuesday in Paris, she now becomes State Secretary in charge of Overseas territories, French President’s office Secretary General Claude Guéant officially announced on Tuesday in Paris.

Her predecessor, Yves Jégo, had been in charge of the same portfolio since June 2008.

Since then, he has had to deal with grave civil unrest that erupted in some of France’s overseas departments, in the French Guadeloupe island (West Indies), in March this year.

Mrs Penchard (born 14 February, 1959), is originally from Guadeloupe island.

She becomes the first person from French overseas territories to take hold of a national ministerial portfolio directly related to these affairs.

In the Pacific region, the three French territories are New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna.

Sarkozy is scheduled to visit the French Pacific next month, late July, to Chair a France-Oceania summit where heads of governments of the Pacific Islands Forum are also expected to attend in New Caledonia’s capital Nouméa.

Mrs Penchard is the daughter of a prominent figure in Guadeloupe, Lucette Michaux-Chevry, a close ally of former French President Jacques Chirac.

Michaux-Chevry was twice member of a French national government, as State Secretary for Francophony (1986-1988) and later as Associate Minister for Humanitarian affairs (1993-1995).

At the ministerial level, the Overseas portfolio is placed under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Overseas and Territorial Communities, which has also changed hands on Tuesday.

Former Labour minister Brice Hortefeux replaces Mrs Michèle Alliot-Marie, who has now been appointed Minister of Justice.

A former State Secretary for Overseas, Jégo’s direct predecessor, Christian Estrosi, is also back to the cabinet team this week: he has been appointed minister for the Economy, Industry and Employment.

Flosse first to react in Tahiti

One of the first French Pacific politicians to react to the reshuffle was French Polynesia’s veteran politician Gaston Flosse.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday (Tuesday Tahiti time, GMT-10), Flosse was quick to express content at Jégo’s departure from the overseas portfolio.

Flosse and Jégo have, in the past few years, been at loggerheads and Flosse’s bids to return to power in French Polynesia, including by way of alliance with long-time foe (and now President) pro-independence Oscar Temaru have consistently been opposed by Jégo.

"First of all, I’m very happy of the departure of Yves Jégo", Flosse told reporters.

He went further in accusing the now former State Secretary of interfering in French Polynesia’s politics in recent months.

"This was the first time I saw a minister of the Republic step into the local political game … This was scandalous on his part", Flosse lashed out.

He said he did not know the new State Secretary personally, but that, on the contrary, he knew her mother very well.

They were both part of the same government, with Jacques Chirac as Prime minister, when Michaux-Chevry was State Secretary for Francophony (1986-1988) and Flosse a minister for Pacific Affairs.

Photo Caption: New State Secretary in charge of Overseas territories, Marie-Luce Penchard.

(Photo: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme)

WORLDWIDE: Solomon Islands hosts environment gathering

Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Press Release

Pacific island nature conservation partners are meeting this week in Honiara to help progress implementation of the region’s nature conservation objectives. The 12th meeting of the Roundtable for Nature Conservation was officially opened by the Honourable Mr Gordon Lilo Darcy, Minister for Environment, Conservation and Meteorology. The Honourable Darcy welcomed the Roundtable members and stressed the importance of governments and non-governmental organisations working together to address critical environment and development needs in countries.

The Roundtable is a group of conservation organisations working throughout the Pacific islands region. It provides a forum to ensure coordination, accountability and transparency in implementing conservation and environment activities in the region. In 2008, Roundtable members signed a Charter committing them to more effective engagement with countries and communities in implementing all their activities.

Addressing environmental issues in the region has never been more critical.

“Our Pacific Island countries currently face environment, economic, trade and social crossroads and challenges arising from our growing population, unregulated development and political instability,” said the Honourable Minister. “We know what needs to be done and we must strike while the iron is hot.”

Taholo Kami, current Chair of the Roundtable and Director of the Suva-based IUCN Regional Office for Oceania, noted that the climate and financial crisis has raised the importance of nature as essential to national development priorities and plans.

“Nature conservation must become priority in our development agenda if Pacific islanders are to survive the climate and financial crisis,” he said.

“There can be no sustainable growth without a healthy environment,” said Ana Tiraa, Island Biodiversity Officer at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). “In the Pacific, we must invest now in the long term health of our natural environment if we hope to ensure healthy economies for our people.”

The Nature Conservation Roundtable will spend this week developing a clear path for assisting countries realise their conservation goals.

“Members of the Roundtable are committed to working in the interests of countries and supporting the implementation of national environment strategies” said Kami. “To make it work at the national level, NGOs, governments and communities must come together to ensure that the environment remains an essential of all development and economic activities.”

For further information please contact Roundtable Coordinator, Etika Rupeni
E: [email protected] Mb: (in Honiara) +677 95228 (in Suva) +679 923 1113

Photo Caption: Honourable Mr Gordon Lilo Darcy, Minister of Environment with members of the Roundtable.