Features Archive December 2020
2020: A Year of Trials But Also One of Resilience and Hope
Everyone has probably heard this countless times already - 2020 was a year like no other.
Sharp Declines in Trade and FDI but Asia-Pacific Performs Better than Rest of the World in 2020
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with increasing trade tensions and an already slowing global economy, have paved the way for the world’s worst economic performance since the Great Depression.
Pacific Tuna Fishery Protections in Place for 2021
Pacific Island countries have worked with fishing nations to secure crucial protection measures next year for an industry worth over US$1 billion to local economies and employing around 24,000 following global meetings last week.
A Moment in Time: COVID-19, Localization and the Pacific
As COVID-19 was declared a pandemic and international travel restrictions, border closures and lockdowns ensued, large numbers of expatriate aid workers returned to their home countries.
PACER Plus: Why it Matters Now
The Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus – or PACER Plus – entered into force on 13 December, marking the start of a new journey in which parties will determine and co-deliver their own priorities for increasing trade across the Pacific.
$9 Billion ADB Facility to Help Members Access and Distribute COVID-19 Vaccines
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched a $9 billion vaccine initiative—the Asia Pacific Vaccine Access Facility (APVAX)—offering rapid and equitable support to its developing members as they procure and deliver effective and safe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines.
Pacific Trade Invest Australia Closing The Digital Literacy Gap in the Pacific
Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Australia has opened applications for a new tailored Social Media for e-Business professional development scholarship, designed specifically for businesses across the Pacific region.
Launching The Pacific Data Hub: A One-Stop Shop
Data and statistics about the Pacific are not easy to find unless you know where to look, or they’re your own. Often they can be fragmented, and tangible results from others’ research, projects or development work are hard to compare.
New Surveys Track the Economic and Social impact of COVID-19 on Families in PNG and Solomon Islands
A new household survey will provide critical baseline for decision-makers working to combat the economic and social challenges amplified by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Scientists Optimistic About COVID-19 Vaccines For All
Principals from BioNTech and Oxford University – both pioneers in the COVID vaccine rollout – participated in an online dialogue on Friday, held under the special session of the UN General Assembly devoted to the pandemic.
Crime in Port Moresby: Experiences of a Foreigner
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea’s capital, has a reputation for crime and violence. The Economist Intelligence Unit regularly rates the city as one of the least livable in the world.
Miss Solomon Islands and Climate Action
Throughout this year and despite the challenges brought forward by the Covid 19 global pandemic, Miss Solomon Islands Gladys Habu has continued to perform her role in various ways.
