Fiji

Fiji to host the Pacific Islands Forum Special Leaders’ Retreat

Continuing the theme of “Reflection, Renewal, Celebration”, the Special Leaders Retreat will be held from 23-24 February 2023 in Denarau, Nadi and will focus on Forum solidarity.

The meeting will also see the transition of the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum from Fiji to the Cook Islands. Mark Brown, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands will look to host the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in the fourth quarter of 2023.

“It has been an honour and a privilege for the Government of Fiji to have carried the role of Forum Chair,” said PM Rabuka.

Fiji PM eager to host Pacific leaders

Fiji Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka said he remains committed to working closely with Pacific Islands Forum leaders as he looks forward to welcoming them to the country to celebrate the dawn of a new era.

Rabuka highlighted this in a statement on Pacific solidarity.

He stressed that as the Chair of the Forum, he returns to this leadership role as the oldest leader-in-office regionally, which means he does not have the luxury nor the flexibility to make mistakes.

Fiji appoints new Solicitor General

Attorney General, Siromi Turaga said he needed Lomavatu for the huge task ahead.

He added the new SG comes with massive experience and has moved up the ranks through natural progression.

Turaga said the country will be grateful for the new Solicitor General’s input.

The appointment was made following a meeting of the Judicial Services Commission.

US climate change grant to assist communities in Samoa and Fiji

A USAID spokesperson says the grants will help 49 vulnerable communities in Fiji and Samoa.

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency Samoa will receive about $US500,000 from the grant, and Live and Learn Environmental Education Fiji will be given close to a million dollars.

USAID deputy development advisor, Patrick Bowers, said the US government is committed to helping the Pacific's most vulnerable communities.

     

Samoa Police chief defends decision not to charge stow away

Auapa'au Logoitino Filipo said it recommends instead the security breaches at the international airport be fixed.

RNZ Pacific reports the commissioner said they only investigate criminal matters and in his view it's a civil matter for failing security at the airport.

The Samoan woman managed to pass through immigration and airport security, got on the Fiji airways aircraft, and hid in the lavatory.

 

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Fiji school students involved in drug-related crimes

The youngest student is a 13-year-old.

This has been highlighted by the Fiji Police Narcotics Bureau.

The Bureau is hoping that parents will spend more time discussing issues regarding drugs with their children.

“We have a shared responsibility as parents, guardians, community leaders, religious denomination leaders, village elders to nurture our children.”

“It says this includes the monitoring of their activities, behavior and who they associate themselves with.”

Samoa gears up for Pacific Island Cricket Challenge 2023

The Samoa International Cricket Association has named its Men’s and Women’s team for the tournament in Fiji.

Cricket Fiji will co-host the inaugural Pacific Island Cricket Challenge 2023 with the Australian Defence Force Cricket from 6 to 18 March 2023.

Five men and five women’s teams will participate in the one-week tournament.

The other countries that have confirmed their participation for the competition are Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Fiji and a combined ANZAC team [Australian and New Zealand Defence Force].

Samoa Men’s Team

Former Fiji elections chief under investigation by anti-corruption agency

Saneem was stopped by border officials from flying out of the country this morning.

The Fijian Elections Office said Saneem is alleged to have on numerous occasions during his tenure with FEO unlawfully authorised payments of sitting allowances to members of the Electoral Commission (EC).

The FEO said the Constitutional Offices Commission had clarified to Saneem that the allowance for the Chairperson and members of the EC remained at the same rate of $FJ500 per person, per meeting.

Fiji PM says Kiribati set to rejoin Pacific Islands Forum

Forum Chair, the Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, said his office has received a letter confirming this intention from the Kiribati President, Taneti Maamau.

Rabuka visited Kiribati just over a week ago, on his first official overseas visit since taking office.

At the time he said bringing Kiribati back into the Forum was the visit's overall objective.

'Under the pump' Fiji Sevens face unthinkable fate in Sydney

Having won the gold in Rio and Japan, head coach Ben Golling has a tough act to follow and a disappointing finish in Hamilton last weekend where they lost in the quarter-final to Argentina, has dropped the Islands nation down to eighth place in the HSBC World Rugby 7s Series table. Only the top four teams from the 2023 HSBC competition will gain automatic qualification for the Paris Games.