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