Practice Areas
RED
Rapid Engineering Diagnostic
Specialize in:
...
Suva, Fiji, 11 April 2015
The new subcommittee set up by the Troika of past, current and future chairs of Pacific Islands Forum leaders includes a mix of civil society, business and public sector specialists, asserted Dame Meg Taylor, Secretary General of the Forum Secretariat.
Nuku'alofa
4 April 2015
The question of whether the Kingdom of Tonga joins its neighbor the Republic of Fiji in forming a new regional organization was confirmed to the media by Tonga Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva during the visit of Australia's foreign minister, Julie Bishop, to the kingdom this week.
The issue was raised by Julie Bishop, when she met the new Prime Minister, Akilisi Pōhiva.
According to Pōhiva, there are many Tongans live in Australia and New Zealand the idea of supporting the position of Fiji seems imprudent. Tongans in Australia and New Zealand contribute significantly to country’s economy through remittances.
Fiji set up the Pacific Islands Development Forum after being suspended from the Forum in 2009 because the Fiji regime reneged on its promise made to Forum leaders that it would restore democracy by 2009.
After the suspension was lifted, Fiji said it would not rejoin the Forum unless Australia and New Zealand changed their status as members to that of a development partner.
Fiji’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Ratu Inoke Kubuabola visited Tonga in late January and the issue of a new regional organization for the Pacific was amongst the key issues discussed when he met Prime Minister Pōhiva.
Mr Pohiva says Tonga will continue to remain an independent sovereign state and continue to support New Zealand and Australia as members of the Forum.
27 March, 2015
Sendai, Japan
Supporting Climate and Disaster Resilient Development in the Pacific - Forum Secretariat involvement at the 3rd World UN Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction
The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat recently attended the 3rd World UN Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction. At the meeting, the focus of many Forum island countries has been on promoting disaster and climate resilient development.
The Prime Minister of Tuvalu says nearly half of the population has been displaced by Cyclone Pam.
14 March 2015
The United Nations says there are reports 44 people have died in Vanuatu's Penama Province as a result of Tropical Cyclone Pam. The category five cyclone has battered Vanuatu's northern provinces, however communication is down and the extent of the damage is not known ,but there are reports of deaths in the outer islands.
A former Solomon Islands Finance Minister and current MP for South Malaita, Rick Hou, has been charged for official misconduct.
3 March 2015
Fiji's prime minister Frank Bainimarama takes a swipe at Australia's practice of resettling asylum seekers in the Pacific, calling on the United Nations to examine the human rights of refugees being transferred to the region.
