Pacific Briefs
Island states combat global warming
UNITED NATIONS (PIR) — A meeting of the 37-member Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) called for strong and credible action to tackle the international threat of climate change.
“We are least responsible for, but most vulnerable to the effects of climate change,” said Samoa Ambassador Tuiloma Neroni Slade, AOSIS’ chairman.
The Alliance criticized the recent U.S. decision to reject the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which requires the global reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Ministers and delegates from half a dozen small island states worldwide, including Kiribati and the Cook Islands in the Pacific, announced their commitments to renewable energy as a means to control greenhouse emissions.
Fiji moves to establish pearl industry
SUVA, Fiji (PIR) — The government is pursuing efforts by a U.S. company to help establish a pearl industry.
Agricultural Secretary Peniasi Kunatuba said an industry worth $4.4 million annually could be established within the next 18 months.
The move also calls for the privatization of the government’s black pearl farm at Savusavu on the northern island of Vanua Levu.
The Savusavu pearl farm costs the government $ 44,000 a year to maintain.
French Polynesia’s dengue epidemic affects thousands
PAPE’ETE, French Polynesia (PIR) — An estimated 3,200 people have been diagnosed with dengue fever since January.
The mosquito-born epidemic has mainly hit Bora Bora, Tahiti, and neighboring Moorea.
Health officials said the French territory’s current drought has helped to reduce the number of adult mosquitoes.
Seventy-two people, mostly children, have been admitted to the hospital for dengue fever since the beginning of the year.
China funds Pacific trade office in Beijing
SUVA, Fiji (PIR) — China has provided an initial $20,000 to the Suva-based Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat to establish a Pacific Islands Trade Office in Beijing.
The funds are part of the $6 million China-South Pacific Cooperation Fund pledged last year.
A total of $500,000 from the fund has been earmarked to establish and operate the trade office.
The office is expected to begin operations in July.
Jakarta becomes a fringe member of Pacific group
SUVA, Fiji (PIR) — Indonesia has been accepted as a so-called dialogue partner of the 16-country Pacific Islands Forum.
Forum leaders meet once a year to discuss issues relating to the South Pacific region.
Indonesia asked for dialogue status last year when questions were raised regarding Indonesia’s rule of the Melanesian inhabitants of West Papua.
Australia and Papua New Guinea, which borders West Papua (also known as Irian Jaya), had previously blocked discussion to appease Indonesia.
