NEWSPAGE 20 November
2009

(Photos: Ministry of Social Development / Pronesia)

NEW ZEALAND: Saturday parade to celebrate Strong Pacific Families

(Photo: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme)

SAMOA: 20th SPREP Meeting underway in Samoa
Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Press Release

The 20th Annual meeting of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) opened in Samoa amidst a tribute to the Pacific nations struck by the tsunami, spiritual inspiration and an embracing of Samoan culture.

From 17 to 20 November, member countries and territories are meeting to discuss the future work plans of the regional environment organisation as well as to look back over the past year.

Before the official opening of the Conference, Deputy Director, Mr. Kosi Latu called for a minute of silence in commemoration of people affected by the tsunami in September this year. SPREP Member countries - American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga experienced great loss from the disaster and fellow pacific islands nations, countries and partners joined with SPREP in paying tribute at the start of the opening ceremony.

The 20th SPREP Meeting is the first gathering for Mr. David Sheppard in his capacity as the new Director of the organisation. He outlined four key approaches for SPREP to help meet its mandate to ensure sustainable development for present and future generations.

These range from the need to strengthen effective and focused partnerships to supporting and accelerating country efforts to mainstream environmental management into all sectors and build capacity.

“We need to prioritise. SPREP cannot do everything and we need to focus on areas where we have comparative advantages and strengths. Climate Change is an overarching issue which SPREP must consider as a priority, given the clear direction from Pacific leaders.”

The Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment of the Government of Samoa, Hon. Faumuina Tiatia Liuga opened the 20th SPREP Meeting with words of welcome to the delegates and encouragement about discussions on the agenda for the week. He also looked at the importance of climate change to the Pacific region.

The Pacific islands states are now calling upon the world for a legally binding agreement to come from the UN Climate Change meeting in Copenhagen and this was reinforced by the Minister.

“The news from our negotiators is not uplifting and there is a very real danger that we will not be able to conclude a legally binding agreement in Copenhagen. It is therefore important for the region to remain engaged and active and to give full expression to the urgent climate change concerns of the region,” said Minister Faumuina Tiatia Liuga

“We cannot afford further delay in the process, as climate change impacts are already being felt by countries in our region.”

The opening ceremony was also an opportunity for the member countries and territories to be welcomed to Samoa with songs of worship from Samoan choirs and singers, as well as the vibrant culture which ended closed the opening ceremony on a high note.

Proceedings for Day 1 began with a full agenda ranging from an overview of work undertaken by SPREP in 2008, to Institutional reform and strategic issues.

The SPREP Meeting is being held at Gym 1, Tuanaimato Sports Complex, Apia, Samoa, from November 17 to 20.

Photo Caption: Delegates attending the 20th Annual meeting of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme in Apia.
 

(Photos: Australian Defence Force)

AUSTRALIA: Australian Navy delivers aid for Tonga recovery
Source: Australian Defence Force Press Release

The Royal Australian Navy’s heavy landing ship HMAS Tobruk has anchored off the coast of the Tongan island of Niuatoputapu and has commenced its humanitarian aid delivery to Tonga, following the tsunami that devastated the island on 30 September 2009. This initiative constitutes the second leg of Tobruk’s support to the Pacific, having recently stopped in Samoa to render similar assistance.

At the outset of the operation, Tobruk took delivery of a Landing Craft Mechanised (LCM8) and two Lighter Amphibious Resupply Carriages (LARC’V’) from 10 Force Support Battalion based at Townsville’s Ross Island Barracks and they have been vital in transporting supplies and reconstruction material provided by AusAID to the communities of Niuatoputapu.

HMAS Tobruk is currently in the Pacific Islands region, delivering over 500 tonnes of much needed equipment and public donations to assist with the re-establishment of vital infrastructure and ensure affected communities have access to essential services such as power, water, health facilities and education.

"Phase two of Operation Samoa Assist requires Tobruk to land supplies and aid stores to allow local authorities on Niuatoputapu to start rebuilding after the severe damage caused by the tsunami and assist them to move forward," said the ships Commanding Officer, Commander Peter Thompson.

"After the success of the efforts in Samoa, the ship’s crew is extremely excited about continuing the humanitarian relief work, this time on the small island of Niuatoputapu.”

The AusAID relief package onboard Tobruk consists of heavy earthmoving equipment to assist with clearance and reconstruction on the island, building materials and gardening supplies. The humanitarian aid consignment also includes items donated by Non-Government Organisations in Australia and a large consignment of donated goods from the Australian public.

The delivery of this aid will bring the total assistance by the Australian Government, Non Government Organisations and the Australian public to Samoa and Tonga to $13 million.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - HMAS Tobruk.

Photo 2 - Member's of HMAS Tobruk's "Working Party" work with local members of the Rural Development Unit, Tongan Defence Service, to transport much needed Humanitarian Aid and equipment from the Landing Craft Medium (LCM8), to the wharf, on the Tongan Island of Niuatoputapu.

(Photo: Massey University)

KIRIBATI: Colourful launch for Kiribati book
Source: Massey University

A Kiribati cultural group helped Professor Tony Whincup launch his latest book amid a whirl of singing and dancing at Massey’s College of Creative Arts in Wellington last week.

Associate Professor Whincup, who heads the School of Visual and Material Culture at the college, has more than 30 years' experience photographing and writing about Kiribati.

This is a fact acknowledged by the President of Kiribati, Anote Tong, in the foreword to the new book Bwai ni Kiribati: Artefacts of Experience, which celebrates the traditional skills and sustainable practices of Kiribati as the small Pacific island nation approaches 30 years of independence.

“Each chapter draws attention to an aspect of our culture of which we as I-Kiribati, are rightly proud.”

Last year Professor Whincup was awarded the Kiribati Order of Merit for his services to the South Pacific island country.

Photo Caption: Professor Tony Whincup with members of a Kiribati cultural group at the Wellington campus last week.

USA: Faleomavaega congratulates Samoans and Tongans in the NFL
Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega Press Release

Congressman Faleomavaega recently announced that 21 Samoans and 10 Tongans are on the official rosters of the thirty-two teams in the National Football League (NFL). This includes eight players that were drafted in the seven rounds of the NFL draft in early April of this year.

“I want to congratulate all the Polynesian players for their success and being able to make it into this year’s NFL season,” Faleomavaega said. “Being on an NFL roster is the highest achievement for any football player. The first step in reaching this goal begins as a student athlete in high school, then to college, and eventually to the NFL. The competition itself is a daunting task given that the NFL allows a limited number of slots available per team - 53 active players and 8 on the practice squad. I am proud of these players because their success is a remarkable example of hard work, passion, and determination.”

“I want to also recognize Coach Ken Niumatalolo and his success at Navy with their impressive record of 8-3 and after defeating Notre Dame in South Bend became bowl eligible for the seventh straight season. I am excited for next week when Ken coaches his Midshipmen against his alma mater, the University of Hawaii Warriors, in Hawaii where he used to quarterback in the late 1980’s. I wish him the best of luck for the rest of the season,” concluded Faleomavaega.

The names of the NFL players and the teams they play for are as follows:
 

(Photo: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme)

WORLDWIDE: Pacific calls for a legally binding climate change treaty to be sealed
Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Press Release

Pacific delegations are angered by suggestions that the UN Climate Change Meeting in Copenhagen will lead to a political declaration instead of an international legally binding agreement.

This comes after years of negotiating text for a climate change agreement that the World can agree upon. The most recent climate change talks in Barcelona have seen the legal requirements finally come closer to reaching a stage of agreement. All that is needed now is the political will from developed countries.

“This is urgent, we cannot delay it any further, there is an urgency of wanting to achieve a deal out of Copenhagen,” said Andrew Yatilman of the Federated States of Micronesia, the former chair of the meeting for the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

“For us the climate change impacts are real, it is something serious that we are already experiencing, that is why it is urgent and that’s why we must come to an agreement in Copenhagen. Some people they are talking as if climate change is going to happen down the road but for us the climate change impacts are happening now.”

The Pacific islands contribute to 0.03% of the Worlds total greenhouse gases but are amongst the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

A legally binding agreement in Copenhagen is an international vote in favour of keeping the ‘Pacific way of life’ alive.

Pacific islands nations are already affected by the impacts of climate change with droughts, threat to food security, extreme weather events and coastal erosion for which Pacific people are adapting to.

“Well I think for Nauru, our plea is we come to an agreement for a deal in Copenhagen. Nauru is feeling the impact of climate change food security wise and with water and we think there are more climate change impacts to come,” said Russ Kunn, the Secretary for Nauru’s Department of Commerce, Industry and Environment.

“It is very important for the sake of all small islands states, there is no time to drag the negotiations but, we need an agreement to be sealed as soon as possible.”

The United Nations Climate Change Conference is scheduled for Copenhagen, Denmark, December 7 - 18. The Pacific islands delegations are part of the Alliance of Small Islands States (AOSIS) who is calling upon the international community to reduce global warming by keeping temperature increases well below 1.5 degrees Celcius and emissions below 350 parts per million CO2 equivalents.

“Many states put forward their proposed treaty texts nearly six months ago. There are no practical obstacles whatsoever,” said Ambassador Dessima Williams, Permanent Representative of Grenada to the United Nations and current AOSIS Chair.

“All that’s lacking now is the political will to finish the job. Weak political declarations are not the solution. Leaders must come to Copenhagen ready to sign on to new targets under the Kyoto Protocol, and a new broader treaty to bind all countries.”

Our key hope now lies on the political will of the developed countries to ‘seal the deal’ with a legally binding agreement on commitments for greenhouse gas emission cuts and the finance necessary to protect those already suffering climate change impacts.

SPREP are working with the Pacific delegations to provide assistance where necessary in order to ensure the Pacific voice is heard at the climate change negotiations. SPREP’s Climate change Adviser, Espen Ronneberg

"The climate change talks are entering a critical phase where only political will can ensure a legally binding agreement being reached at Copenhagen. The Pacific Island Countries have been quite vocal on the need for an ambitious agreement, but also on an agreement that can be enforced to the highest extent possible."

For the Pacific region, the reasons why we need a legally binding agreement is viewed with crystal clarity. Some of our communities struggle to have safe drinking water, grow food crops in the ground and prepare ourselves for a harsh cyclone season as they battle against the impacts of climate change.

A legally binding agreement must be committed to at the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen in December, the longer we wait the harder it will be to protect our Pacific way of life.

For more details please contact SPREP’s Climate Change Adviser, Mr. Espen Ronneberg
E: [email protected] T: (685) 21929 F: (685) 20231 W: www.sprep.org.

Photo Caption: Water tanks on Aitutaki, Cook Islands, as part of a project to ensure safe drinking water for families adapting to climate change.