Regional Archive December 2008
21 articlesNZ Envoy Arrives Home Following Expulsion
New Zealand Acting High Commissioner to Fiji, Caroline McDonald, has arrived in Auckland following her expulsion from Fiji by the interim government.
Fiji Expels Another NZ Envoy
Fiji has expelled acting New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji, Caroline McDonald, following a tense standoff regarding the refusal of a student visa to the son of the President's private secretary.
Fiji Minister Claims Phones Tapped by Australia and NZ
Fiji's interim Communications Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, has made claims that Australian and New Zealand authorities are tapping the phone lines in Fiji.
ADB to Help Nauru Preserve and Grow Capital for Development through Nauru Trust Fund
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing a technical assistance grant that will help the Government of Nauru establish a Nauru Trust Fund to accumulate, preserve, grow, and mobilize capital for development. The grant will also help Nauru improve its public financial management systems.
Fiji Firm Buys BP Oil's Pacific Operations
Local Fiji firm, Fijian Holdings Limited (FHL), has bought BP South-West Pacific for $190 million.
Pacific Tuna Commission Gives a Glimmer of Hope for the World's Favourite Fish
Greenpeace declared the outcome of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission a failed compromise - one which is too weak to stop the overfishing of the Pacific bigeye and yellowfin tuna.
Deportation of NZ Reporter from Fiji Draws Criticism
There has been widespread criticism within Fiji and around the Region for the country's actions in deporting TVNZ reporter, Ms. Barbara Dreaver.
ADB to Help Tuvalu Strengthen Public Financial Management and Good Governance
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will help the Tuvalu Government strengthen its public financial management and governance systems, as the island nation copes with reduced income from offshore sources due to the global financial crisis.
ADB Approves $400M Multi-Tranche Financing Facility for Papua New Guinea
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a multi-tranche financing facility of up to $400 million to help build and manage a sustainable road system in the five provinces of the Highlands region - one of the most remote areas in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Tuna Meeting a Failed Compromise
Pacific zones closed but overfishing continues
Fiji Faces Suspension from Forum
Fiji faces a possible suspension from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat after visiting members of the Ministerial Contact Group learned that the country will not hold elections next year.
Japan and ADB Promote Regional Trade Integration
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Trade and investment in the Asia and Pacific region are expected to benefit from a $900,000 grant from Japan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) that will improve trade policy formation and strengthen institutional capacity within the region.
Update: Tidal Wave Disaster in PNG Spreading
The disaster caused by the king tide that struck parts of Papua New Guinea is spreading causing more devastation and displacing more people.
The Climate Crisis Waits for No One
Pacific Islander urges Australia to set strong target.
ADB Commences Future Carbon Fund
POZNAN, POLAND - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has received financing commitments of over $100 million for a new post-2012 carbon fund and will commence its operations in January. In addition to its founding public sector partners, the ADB is seeking further participation from private businesses.
Tide Causes Destruction in Parts of PNG
A king tide caused destruction in parts of Papua New Guinea on Monday washing away houses and submerging some areas.
Forum Ministerial Contact Group Returns to Fiji
The Pacific Islands Forum Ministerial Contact Group on Fiji will make a second visit to Fiji, 10 - 12 December 2008 as part of the Forum Leaders' mandate for the Group to monitor the situation in Fiji following the events of 5 December 2006.
Giant Fruits Surprise Fiji Farmer
A sugarcane farmer was surprised by giant pawpaws harvested from his backyard.
Lower Remittance Fees Help the Poor
AUCKLAND, December 1, 2008- Today Westpac New Zealand have lowered their remittance transaction fees in a move which will financially benefit many Pacific Islanders. This is great news for Pacific countries, many of whom depend heavily on remittances as a primary source of income.
Male Babies Killed to Stop Tribal Fighting
Women in a rural part of Papua New Guinea killed their male babies over a 10 year-period in an attempt to stop the tribal fighting that has brought death and destruction to their people for more than 20 years.
HIV and AIDS Online Data Hub Launched
MANILA, PHILIPPINES (28 November 2008) - The first-ever one-stop online resource hub providing comprehensive and easy-to-access HIV and AIDS data in Asia and the Pacific was launched today.
