Pacific

On 25 August, 2016 at SPREP's Apia headquarters, representatives from both agencies formally signed the Meeting Minutes related to the formulation of the second phase of the Japanese Technical Cooperation Project for Promotion of Regional Initiative on Solid Waste Management in Pacific Island Countries, known as J-PRISM II.

A third party independent auditor, Acoura Marine, has been contracted by the PNA to undertake the reassessment.

Pacifical c.v., the global tuna marketing company jointly set up by eight PNA countries in 2011 to promote its MSC certified sustainably caught tuna, said that the process should go smoothly and that deliveries of Pacifical MSC tuna will continue uninterrupted through 2017.

RNZ reports the World Bank's Kamleshwar Khelawan said the Pacific has some unique problems which also create unique opportunities.

Mr Khelawan said only 20 percent of Pacific households had access to electricity, although this was skewed by the larger populations of Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.

He said many of the islands were dispersed over a large area, were small, and had very small loads so economies of scale were hard to achieve.

RNZ reports heart disease, cancers, lung disease and diabetes are the leading causes of death in the Pacific with most countries losing their productive citizens to NCDs.

The United Nations Development Programme's Ferdinand Strobel says health and trade interests in the region are often developed in silos and end up undermining each other’s' efforts.

He said with the right legal framework they could be made to work together to help in the fight against NCDs.

This is especially in light of the ambitious renewable energy and energy efficiency targets of Pacific Island countries as part of the Paris Agreement process and towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 7) of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

This was one of the key messages emerging from the week-long training for Energy Regulators which concluded in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, yesterday.

A energy specialist from the World Bank addressed the 25th Pacific Power Association Conference in Nuku'alofa.

The number of delegations in the Games Village is nearing 200 by Sunday afternoon here in Rio.

206 is the full complement of nations that make up the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

IOC boss Thomas Bach reiterated his confidence at a press conference of an excellent Rio Games following all the internal and external challenges faced by the Rio Organising Committee.

Bach is expected to tour the village and have lunch at the dining hall again today.

For the Pacific Islands, two more countries have arrived- Solomons and Federated State of Micronesia.

The warning comes from Le Va, a New Zealand group working to prevent suicide in Pasifika communities around New Zealand.

It has come up with a set of media guidelines to help New Zealand's Pasifika media practice safe reporting and also provide help.

Le Va's chief executive Monique Faleafa said reporting of suicide in Pacific island countries was freer than in New Zealand and the stories were being picked up elsewhere.

RNZ reports the Pacific Islands Political Studies Association conference on political change in Oceania was held in Niue last month. (July)

Following the conference, the Pacific director at New Zealand's Massey University, Malakai Koloamatangi said it was difficult to say one type of research is better than the other.

The Festival, which runs from Friday 21 October to Monday 24 October, will feature ukulele workshops, concerts and instructional (“tips and tricks”) sessions by panels of leading ukulele exponents including:

• Paul Jonson from New Zealand

• Hawaiians’ Jody Kamisato and rising superstars Honoka and Azita