Pacific News In Brief For 2 May
A round-up of news from around the region, including New Caledonia support for a deepsea mining pause.
New Caledonia – mining
New Caledonia has joined a list supporting a moratorium on deep sea mining.
The territory's parliament passed a law on Tuesday pausing mining in its waters.
The decision comes amidst growing uncertainty over the industry following US president Donald Trump's executive order fast-tracking a US mining licence process for international waters.
According to UN legislation, deep sea mining in international waters falls under the jurisdiction of the International Seabed Authority.
Papua New Guinea – university
University of PNG chancellor Robert Igara told last week's graduation ceremony that this is likely to be the last from UPNG, with a standalone medical school set to open next year.
The standalone university comes amid serious concern at the shortage of medical doctors in PNG.
The Post-Courier reported the secretary for the Department of Personnel Management, Taies Sansan, highlighted this issue during her speech at the graduation.
She said there is a serious shortage of doctors and health officials throughout the country.
Fifty medical professionals graduate each year but Sansan said this is not nearly enough.
Fiji – health
Fiji's Ministry for Health has received medical equipment worth FJ$10 million (approximeately US$4.4m).
The donation came from the Japanese government.
The equipment included a CT scanner, six ambulances, and incubators.
Papua New Guinea – by-election
Former Papua New Guinea MP Anderson Mise is one of two former MPs contesting the by-election for Aitape-Lumi in West Sepik.
Mise lost the seat in a successful challenge at the beginning of last year.
The man he defeated in 2022, Patrick Pruaitch, is also running again.
Pruaitch, who had held senior roles in several governments, had held the seat for 20 years until that loss.
Several other candidates are also lining up for the vote.
Samoa – police
Samoa's Police Commissioner, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo has spoken to his New Zealand counterpart about the areas that local enforcement officials need support in.
New Zealand's Police Commissioner, Sir Richard Chambers is visiting Samoa.
Auapaau said they are requesting from NZ two K9 dogs – a sniffer dog and a tracking dog to support the the fight against drugs.
In January, Samoan authorities intercepted 10 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine reported as 'the largest known drug smuggling operation' on the island.
Sir Richard told local media New Zealand is open to all sorts of new opportunities that make Samoa a stronger, safer country.
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