Pacific – shipping
A group of Pacific nations are
pushing for the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to
adopt a US$150 levy per tonne of greenhouse gas emissions
produced by ships.
Representing the 6PAC+ alliance,
which is made up of small island developing states, Marshall
Islands ambassador to the IMO Albon Ishoda said the 1.5
degrees Celsius climate goal is not negotiable.
He
said Pacific nations did not come to London, where the
International Maritime Organistaion meeting is being held,
to agree to a diluted compromise.
Tuvalu’s Minister
for Transport Simon Kofe said the 6PAC+ group is seeking a
solution for humanity not just for
themselves.
Solomon Islands – loan
Saudi
Arabia has signed a US$10 million development loan agreement
with Solomon Islands.
The loan will finance energy
storage systems as well as solar power stations with a total
capacity of 35.5 megawatts.
Saudi Development Fund
chief executive Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad said the
purpose of his visit was to show their strong support and
commitment to the government of Solomon
Islands.
Solomons Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele
expressed his deep appreciation for the
support.
Tokelau – finance
Tokelau is cutting
spending after losing millions of dollars in revenue from
the United States.
The US has failed to pay more than
US$4 million of tuna fishing levy which is caught up in the
review of the American Agency for International
Development.
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Tokelau government spokesperson Tino
Vitale said the latest budget committee meeting was simply
“sad” and ended on a decision to roll out a two-and-a-half
per cent cut across all sectors.
Vitale said some of
the solutions they’ve been forced to implement include no
travel; no recruitment; looking at a four-day week in some
roles which means people will lose wages; and workers taking
on extra tasks to compensate for staff shortages.
The
government is also cutting down on internet use despite just
getting a very expensive internet cable.
Bougainville
– meeting
The vice president of the Autonomous Region
of Bougainville says Bougainville is only open to discussing
an independence model.
Patrick Nisira delivered this
message on behalf of the president in the closing remarks at
the second Joint Moderation Meeting in Port Moresby on
Thursday.
He said the moderation process must remain
consultative and focused solely on the referendum result for
independence.
He said there are no other models or
options to talk about.
The next moderation meeting is
set to be held in Burnham, near Christchurch, in New
Zealand’s South Island.
Tonga – boating
New
Zealand’s foreign minister has launched a boating awareness
programme in Tonga called Safer Waters, Safer
communities.
Winston Peters was in Nuku’alofa on
Friday, his first stop of his week-long Pacific
trip.
Peters said the programme will increase
community awareness of safety equipment, encourage
registration of small vessels, and improve coordination
across government agencies responsible for maritime
safety.
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