Pacific news in brief for 18 August
Tonga Fisheries Ministry
The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) has received a payment of US$60 million for 2024, under its Economic Assistance Agreement with the US government.
It is a part of a commitment made in a treaty signed by the Pacific nations and the US in 1988, to govern fishing in exclusive economic zones.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with Pacific Islands Ambassadors and Representatives based in Washington to confirm the payment and reaffirm the US Government's ongoing support for the economic deal.
Organisers say November's United Nations climate summit, COP30, will take place in the Amazon city of Belém as planned, despite concerns about affordable accommodation.
Climate News
reported the 11-member COP bureau, which advises the COP presidency, asked in late July whether steps had been taken to identify an alternative location for COP30 if the accommodation crunch does not improve.
The presidency said there will be no alternate location.
Seventy-two governments classified as 'least developed countries' and 'small island developing states' have been offered 15 individual rooms each priced at US$100-200 a night.
All other governments will be offered ten rooms each for prices ranging from US$200 to $600 a night.
These rooms "are not intended to accommodate" countries' leaders with other arrangements to be made for them and their entourages.
The leaders' summit will be held before the main COP negotiations and accompanying side events start.
Fiji's acting medical superintendent Dr. Kiran Gaikwad says there is a need for a dedicated drug rehabilitation centre, to stem the spread of infections and provide appropriate long-term care.
He was speaking after a teenager was admitted to St Giles Psychiatric Hospital with HIV linked to drug use.
Labasa Hospital's acting medical superintendent, Dr. Mikaele Mua said they are seeing a lot of HIV cases but there are likely more without symptoms.
The government said it has committed funding for the construction and operation of a Child Wellbeing Centre, providing a safe space and support for vulnerable children.
Guam's attorney general is seeking to ramp up his deportation plan.
The
Pacific Island Times
reported Douglas Moylan saying 101 convicted aliens have been deported from Guam since 2023, with a dozen more in the system under pending process.
In a letter to the assistant special agent in charge, Moylan proposed to have investigators at the Office of the Attorney General "sworn in as ICE agents", authorizing them to arrest those set for deportation.
Moylan said he is seeking to collaborate with the federal agency "to effectively and efficiently deport as many criminal aliens as possible," saying repeat offenders often get released "only to reoffend and create more victims".
Catholic bishops gathered in Paga Pago earlier this month for a week of prayer and reflection.
Archbishop Gábor Pintér, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Episcopal Conference of the Pacific (CEPAC) gave a speech at the gathering.
He said the "very core" of CEPAC's vision is a "deep desire to be a Church that is authentically 'of the Pacific'".
Vatican News
reportedhe archbishop suggested a number of areas for the church in the region to focus on, including care for the oceans, synodality, formation for mission, social activism, and empowerment of women and young people.
A New Zealand Defence Force has finished the a high explosive live fire training activity with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.
Gunners from the New Zealand Army's 16th Field Regiment led a mortar training course.
Colonel Mike van Welie said the exercise included 110 personnel from both countries.
The NZDF said NZ Army soldiers also gained valuable training, with the PNG Defence Force sharing their expertise in challenging close-combat jungle conditions.
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RNZ News
13 hours ago
- RNZ News
Pacific news in brief for 18 August
Photo: Tonga Fisheries Ministry The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) has received a payment of US$60 million for 2024, under its Economic Assistance Agreement with the US government. It is a part of a commitment made in a treaty signed by the Pacific nations and the US in 1988, to govern fishing in exclusive economic zones. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with Pacific Islands Ambassadors and Representatives based in Washington to confirm the payment and reaffirm the US Government's ongoing support for the economic deal. Organisers say November's United Nations climate summit, COP30, will take place in the Amazon city of Belém as planned, despite concerns about affordable accommodation. Climate News reported the 11-member COP bureau, which advises the COP presidency, asked in late July whether steps had been taken to identify an alternative location for COP30 if the accommodation crunch does not improve. The presidency said there will be no alternate location. Seventy-two governments classified as 'least developed countries' and 'small island developing states' have been offered 15 individual rooms each priced at US$100-200 a night. All other governments will be offered ten rooms each for prices ranging from US$200 to $600 a night. These rooms "are not intended to accommodate" countries' leaders with other arrangements to be made for them and their entourages. The leaders' summit will be held before the main COP negotiations and accompanying side events start. Fiji's acting medical superintendent Dr. Kiran Gaikwad says there is a need for a dedicated drug rehabilitation centre, to stem the spread of infections and provide appropriate long-term care. He was speaking after a teenager was admitted to St Giles Psychiatric Hospital with HIV linked to drug use. Labasa Hospital's acting medical superintendent, Dr. Mikaele Mua said they are seeing a lot of HIV cases but there are likely more without symptoms. The government said it has committed funding for the construction and operation of a Child Wellbeing Centre, providing a safe space and support for vulnerable children. Guam's attorney general is seeking to ramp up his deportation plan. The Pacific Island Times reported Douglas Moylan saying 101 convicted aliens have been deported from Guam since 2023, with a dozen more in the system under pending process. In a letter to the assistant special agent in charge, Moylan proposed to have investigators at the Office of the Attorney General "sworn in as ICE agents", authorizing them to arrest those set for deportation. Moylan said he is seeking to collaborate with the federal agency "to effectively and efficiently deport as many criminal aliens as possible," saying repeat offenders often get released "only to reoffend and create more victims". Catholic bishops gathered in Paga Pago earlier this month for a week of prayer and reflection. Archbishop Gábor Pintér, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Episcopal Conference of the Pacific (CEPAC) gave a speech at the gathering. He said the "very core" of CEPAC's vision is a "deep desire to be a Church that is authentically 'of the Pacific'". Vatican News reportedhe archbishop suggested a number of areas for the church in the region to focus on, including care for the oceans, synodality, formation for mission, social activism, and empowerment of women and young people. A New Zealand Defence Force has finished the a high explosive live fire training activity with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force. Gunners from the New Zealand Army's 16th Field Regiment led a mortar training course. Colonel Mike van Welie said the exercise included 110 personnel from both countries. The NZDF said NZ Army soldiers also gained valuable training, with the PNG Defence Force sharing their expertise in challenging close-combat jungle conditions.
Scoop
19 hours ago
- Scoop
FFA Receives US$60 Million From The US Under Economic Assistance Agreement
Sunday, 17 August 2025, 5:31 pm The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) has today received the US$60 million payment for 2024, under the Economic Assistance Agreement (EAA) associated with the Treaty on Fisheries with the Government of the United States of America. FFA Director-General Noan David Pakop acknowledged the receipt of the payment, emphasising its importance to the 16 Pacific Island Parties that make up the FFA membership. Earlier this week, the United States Government announced the release of the payment, which will be allocated to the Pacific Island Parties in accordance with the agreed distribution approach. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with Pacific Islands Ambassadors and Representatives based in Washington to confirm the payment and reaffirm the US Government's ongoing support for the EAA. He highlighted the commitment to the annual payment of US$60 million over a 10-year period under the agreement, as well the strong relationship with the Pacific Island States. Advertisement - scroll to continue reading 'This is a positive and welcome development, and a clear demonstration of the US Government's commitment to the EAA, the Treaty, and its cordial relationship with Pacific Island States,' stated FFA Director-General Noan David Pakop. 'We are confident that this initial payment will pave the way for the approval of the 2025 payment and future payments under the EAA.' The Treaty came into force in 1988 and has been in effect for 37 years, involving fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of the Pacific Island Parties by US purse seine fishing vessels. Over the years, its terms and conditions, and final packages have been periodically renegotiated. The latest renegotiation was concluded in June 2024, extending the Treaty for the next 10 years (2023-2033) with revised terms, conditions and a new financial package. The Pacific Island Parties are: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. About Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA): FFA assists its 17 Members to sustainably manage fishery resources that fall within their 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). FFA provides expertise, technical assistance and other support to its members who make decisions about their tuna resources and participate in regional decision making on tuna management.
Scoop
a day ago
- Scoop
FFA Receives US$60 Million From The US Under Economic Assistance Agreement
Press Release – Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency The Treaty came into force in 1988 and has been in effect for 37 years, involving fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of the Pacific Island Parties by US purse seine fishing vessels. Over the years, its terms and conditions, and final … 15 August 2025 The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) has today received the US$60 million payment for 2024, under the Economic Assistance Agreement (EAA) associated with the Treaty on Fisheries with the Government of the United States of America. FFA Director-General Noan David Pakop acknowledged the receipt of the payment, emphasising its importance to the 16 Pacific Island Parties that make up the FFA membership. Earlier this week, the United States Government announced the release of the payment, which will be allocated to the Pacific Island Parties in accordance with the agreed distribution approach. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with Pacific Islands Ambassadors and Representatives based in Washington to confirm the payment and reaffirm the US Government's ongoing support for the EAA. He highlighted the commitment to the annual payment of US$60 million over a 10-year period under the agreement, as well the strong relationship with the Pacific Island States. 'This is a positive and welcome development, and a clear demonstration of the US Government's commitment to the EAA, the Treaty, and its cordial relationship with Pacific Island States,' stated FFA Director-General Noan David Pakop. 'We are confident that this initial payment will pave the way for the approval of the 2025 payment and future payments under the EAA.' The Treaty came into force in 1988 and has been in effect for 37 years, involving fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of the Pacific Island Parties by US purse seine fishing vessels. Over the years, its terms and conditions, and final packages have been periodically renegotiated. The latest renegotiation was concluded in June 2024, extending the Treaty for the next 10 years (2023-2033) with revised terms, conditions and a new financial package. The Pacific Island Parties are: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. About Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA): FFA assists its 17 Members to sustainably manage fishery resources that fall within their 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). FFA provides expertise, technical assistance and other support to its members who make decisions about their tuna resources and participate in regional decision making on tuna management.
