Latest News Archive February 2012
46 articlesDevelopment Partners to Better Coordinate Democratic Institutions Initiatives
Development partners have agreed on the importance of coordinating better their national and regional level initiatives to strengthen democratic institutions and good governance in the Pacific.
PM Receives TRC Report
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has officially handed over its final report to Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo.
New Foreign Affairs Minister Appointed
Temotu-Vatud Member of Parliament Clay Forau Soalaoi has been reshuffled from the Police Ministerial portfolio and has been sworn in as Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade.
Western Premier Faces No-confidence Motion
The Western Province Premier, George Solingi Lilo, is to face a motion of confidence during the upcoming Provincial Assembly sitting which will start on Wednesday.
Festival Work Will Not Stop
A threat seeking legal injunction to stop all Festival of Pacific Arts preparatory work is not in the interest of the nation.
Gender Mainstreaming in RMI
'Gender mainstreaming must be taken seriously in all the work of the Marshall Islands government.'
Solympics Squad and Coach Named
The make up of the Solomon Islands U-23 squad and the man who will attempt to lead the players to the 2012 London Olympics have both been unveiled.
Australian Trade Mission Visit Solomons
An Australian Trade Mission conducted a recent visit to Solomon Islands last week to explore potential trade and investment opportunities in the country.
Local Florist to Begin Export
A trial run to export various Solomon Islands local flowers to Brisbane, Australia for six weeks will begin in mid-April this year.
Cook Islands Expert on Marshall Islands Peer Review
[24th February 2012: Majuro, Marshall Islands] "We have much to share and learn in return."
Logging Concern Over Rennell Island
Villagers and environmentalists have expressed concern over reports a second company is planning on establishing a logging operation on Rennell Island in Solomon Islands.
PM Appoints New Police Commissioner
Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has officially appointed a new Police Commissioner, ending months of speculation.
More R&D Needed to Increase Agricultural Production
Previous attempts to intensify production of crops in the Pacific have not included adequate research and development (R&D).
Kemakeza Guilty
Mark Kemakeza, the MP for Gela constituency, is awaiting sentencing after being found guilty of using public funds for his own benefit.
EU Assists Forum Countries with Human Rights
The European Union and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat yesterday signed a contribution agreement to the value of 1 million Euros to support Pacific island countries in their ratification and implementation of international Human Rights Treaties and the Rome Statute.
Efforts to Promote Sustainable Energy in the Pacific Must Continue
The price of petroleum products in 2012 is anyone's guess, but the effort to promote sustainable energy and energy security must continue, said Solomone Fifita, head of the SPC Economic Development Division's Energy Programme.
SPC Workshop Introduces New Project
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Land Resource Division (LRD) is organising a workshop to help Pacific Island countries and territories strengthen their production of valuable crops by better managing pests.
Solomon Islands Farewells First GG
The Solomon Island's first Governor General, Sir Baddeley Devesi, was honored with a State funeral today in Honiara.
Seven-goal romp for unbeaten Auckland City
Auckland City piled in the goals against Koloale to stay unbeaten in this season's O-League.
Solomon Gold Acquires New Exploration Properties
Solomon Gold has acquired three new early stage exploration properties in the Solomon Islands.
Australian Doctors Plan Rural Hospital
A group of dedicated doctors from Australia have come together to plan, fund, and build a community health project in the Solomon Islands.
Senior Statesman Passes Away
Solomon Islands first Governor General, Sir Baddeley Devesi, has passed away.
Workshop Encourages Cultural Industries
Creating commercial industries based on the unique heritage of the Pacific was the focus of a four-day workshop co-facilitated by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) in Suva.
Magnificent Military History in the Solomons
Take a trip to the Solomon Islands during the Australian winter this year with First Footprints, and experience an island nation rich in World War II history, alongside some of the most pristine diving and natural scenery over 992 islands.
Trained Police Officers to Use Approved Weapons
The Acting Police Commissioner, Walter Kola, says only trained officers will use newly approved weapons.
Europe Downturn May Affect Solomons: Rarawa
The Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands, Denton Rarawa, is warning events from outside could spell trouble for the Solomon Islands economy, this year.
6.5 Earthquake Hits Solomons
A strong 6.5-magnitude earthquake shook the Solomon Islands late yesterday afternoon, but there was no threat of a widespread destructive tsunami and no reports of damage, US seismologists said.
Final Push Needed to Address Leprosy in Western Pacific
MANILA, 13 February 2012 - WHO's Western Pacific Regional Office today urged its Member States to make a final push to address leprosy in the Region.
Mapping Fiji's Forest Cover with the Help of Satellite Imagery
SPC is working with the Fiji Department of Forestry to build capacity in using very high resolution satellite images to map land and forest cover in Fiji.
Prices of Local Produce Hikes
Prices of local produce has jumped by as much as 200% in less than two months.
Cocoa Bug Threatens Industry
A Specialist Entomologists is currently in the country to determine whether the cocoa pod borer has established itself on the islands.
PM Sacks Foreign Minister
Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has sacked his Foreign Minister.
Agovaka Deny Chequebook Diplomacy
Solomon Islands Foreign Minister, Peter Shanel Agovaka, says Solomon Islands will not be involved in any chequebook diplomacy with Russia.
Youths Launch New Party
The founder of a new political party in Solomon Islands says it is aiming to ensure young people get the chance to complete their education.
Two Cyclones Growing in the Region
It's not over yet, that's the warning issued by the Solomon Islands meteorological office (MET) this morning.
SPC - Serving the Region for 65 Years
On 6 February 1947, the governments of Australia, France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the United States of America signed the Canberra Agreement that established the South Pacific Commission, now called the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).
Betel Nut Banned in Honiara Town
The selling of Betel nut with Honiara Town has now been banned by the Honiara City Council (HTC), effective from Friday last week.
Talks of Diplomatic Ties with Russia
Solomon Islands and Russia are working together to fast track proposals for the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Be Aware; Beat Cancer
MANILA, 3 February 2012 - On the eve of World Cancer Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) urged governments to strengthen national control programmes, including by raising awareness, amid an alarming rise of cancer cases.
Making Cane Baskets for a Living
In the streets of Honiara, selling of cultural items to make ends meet is a common sight.
HIV/AIDS Scare!
Solomon Islands have experienced a near doubling of confimred HIV/AIDS cases, in the last two years alone it has recorded 12.
Asia Can Lead on Green Growth by Working with Private Sector
DELHI, INDIA - At a forum today, Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Haruhiko Kuroda outlined steps countries in the Asia and the Pacific region are already taking to protect shared natural resources and called for more private sector involvement in the building of green infrastructure.
MET Issues Tropical Disturbance Watch
The Solomon Islands meteorological (MET) service has issued a tropical disturbance watch this morning.
PNG: Investigation Into Media Shooting Threat Needed Says PFF
PFF, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS-- Journalists in Papua New Guinea must be able to report the ongoing political tensions in the country without fear or intimidation, says Pacific media monitoring watchdog the Pacific Freedom Forum, PFF.
Workers Leave Out of Fear
The Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil limited (GPPOL) has confirmed that it's had to send many of its workers back to their home province following a violent incident with locals.
SPREP Launches Clean Pacific 2012 Campaign
The Clean Pacific 2012 campaign will be launched in partnership with the World Wetlands Day celebrations in Apia, Samoa on 2 February.
