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Solomon Islands/New Zealand – funding
The New Zealand government has made available $NZ2.4 million to deliver a regional youth empowerment project.
The initiative will be delivered in partnership with the Pacific Community and target young people in Solomon Islands and Tonga.
The project will begin in the Solomons Islands by offering youth opportunities to upskill and access decent work.
This funding will support the programmes to be developed and then delivered by local service providers.
Aotearoa government will also invest $NZ3 million towards the Pacific Games to be held in Solomon Islands in November this year.
It is the third announcement delivered by the New Zealand government while in country for the Pacific Mission 2023.
Deputy Prime Minister and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs Carmel Sepuloni said the funding will support inclusivity and help with upgrading the country’s sports facilities needed for the event.
The Pacific Games 2023 will be the first to be held since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Around 5000 participants from 24 countries are expected to participate.
Tuvalu – wifi
Taiwan has donated more than $US1.5 mllion towards a project to establish a 4G wireless network in Tuvalu.
Minister of Justice Simon Kofe accepted the donation in the form of a cheque from Taiwan Ambassador Andrew Tung-Heng Lin.
Implemented through the Tuvalu Telecommunications Corporation, the project delivers 4G coverage via the installments of towers on Tuvalu’s nine islands.
A 4G tower has already been installed on two islands including the main island of Funafuti.
Kofe said the coverage would not only improve personal access to the internet but business operations as well.
Aerial view of Amatuku island in Tuvalu.
Photo: ©UNDP Tuvalu/Aurélia Rusek
New Caledonia – accidents
New Caledonia’s president Louis Mapou says it has become a civic duty to help reduce road accidents.
His statement comes after another spate of fatal accidents, which this year have claimed at least one life a week.
Mapou said the road code requires drivers to respect speed limits, fasten seat belts and to refuse to drive, or let others drive, under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
He has called on the New Caledonian population to show more vigilance and more discipline, and to join efforts with those working for road safety.
He said New Caledonia must not resign itself to accept a situation in which every day families end up in mourning.
Papua New Guinea – defence
The head of Papua New Guinea’s defence force says its level of capability is at an all time low.
The National reported Major-General Mark Goina saying after years of decline the army’s current capability is now at 30 to 40 percent.
Goina said the situation is so dire that some soldiers no longer wear uniforms because there are not enough to go around.
He says on the operational front it has affected their ability to provide support to patrol the Papua New Guinea border and the country’s Highlands regions.
Speaking at the country’s National Research Institute this week Major-General Goina says it is critical that the force is properly resourced so it can carry out its defence and national security responsibilities.
Marshall Islands – Taiwan
The Marshall Islands has reiterated its support for Taiwan and condemned any intimidation of the country.
Foreign minister Kitlang Kabua is in Taipei until Tuesday and made the statement during a meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen at the presidential office in Taipei last week.
She said her country will continue to support Taiwan’s bid to join the United Nations and other international organisations.
Kabua said the Marshall Islands ‘strongly condemns any external intimidation of Taiwan that compromises regional and global peace and security.
As well as the Marshalls – Taiwan has three other Pacific allies; Nauru, Palau and Tuvalu.
In 2019 Taipei lost two of its biggest Pacific allies Solomon Islands and Kiribati although Tarawa has a history of flip-flopping loyalty between China and Taiwan.
Tonga – late former Prime Minister Pohiva
Tonga’s late former Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa is being buried today following the arrival of his coffin from the United States yesterday.
He passed away in California last month while on medical leave from his job as MP for the rural districts of central Tongatapu.
Flags have been flown at halfmast in respect to Tu’i’onetoa who served as Prime Minister from 2019 to 2021.
His tenure of just over two years included completing the term of his predecessor, ‘Akilisi Pohiva, who passed away while in office.
Pacific/Denmark – royal visit
Denmark’s crown princess will be touring the Pacific next week with stops in Vanuatu, Fiji and Australia.
A royal statement outlining princess Mary Elizabeth’s visit shows a strong climate change theme with her arrival into Port Vila on the 23rd of April comes not long after the country was hit by two cyclones back to back.
In Fiji from the 25th the Danish royal will focus on gender based violence teaming up for part of her visit with the executive director of the UN Population Fund, Natalie Kanem.
She will conclude her Pacific visit in Sydney Australia on the 28th speaking with Danish business representatives involved in that country’s green transition.
Mary Elizabeth Countess of Monpezat is the wife of Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark.
Frederik is the heir apparent to the throne.
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