Pacific news and sport in brief for August 26
Activists say political unrest in Vanuatu will not stop climate action
Civil society groups in Vanuatu will continue to fight for climate action despite the political uncertainties the country is facing.
The Vanuatu Climate Action Network (V-CAN) said recent political turmoil shouldn’t stop the national climate justice initiative from seeking an advisory opinion from the world’s highest court.
Photo: Vanuatu Climate Action Network
The network’s policy officer, Lorenzo Raplili, said Bob Loughman’s caretaker government has spearheaded the International Court of Justice’s advisory campaign to protect the rights of current and future generations from climate change.
Raplili said that despite the dissolution of parliament, V-CAN will continue to fight for the inclusion of the court initiative as one of the most critical resolutions Vanuatu will present at the upcoming session of the UN General Assembly.
He said even if a new government is formed after the snap elections, the momentum they had with the previous government must be maintained.
China’s gift to the Pacific Islands Forum
China has granted an annual contribution of US$1.1 million to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
In a handover ceremony, Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna welcomed the funding, which will come under the Pacific Islands Forum Cooperation Fund.
Puna said China remains a long-standing and important dialogue forum and development partner.
He said most of this latest application will be used to support the Pacific Trade and Invest China office.
Puna said the office is working with the private sector to develop, grow and promote businesses in the region by facilitating export opportunities for buyers and attracting foreign direct investment.
Budget supplements rejected
New Caledonia’s anti-independence parties have voted against budget increases in the territory’s Congress.
The pro-independence supplements included measures to combat the rising cost of living.
A member of the opposition in Congress, said Nicolas Metzdorf la premiere he voted against because the pro-independence parties refused to listen to his proposals.
“Part of the budget increases taxes and does not support the struggle of New Caledonian companies.
“We discussed it with the government, they don’t want to talk about it, they don’t want to share the responsibility, so we have to oppose the budget proposal.”
The ethnic Welsh and Futunan party, Pacific Awakening, holds the balance of power in the New Caledonian Congress.
Brial elected as a candidate for unity in New Caledonia
New Caledonia MPC Party leader Gil Brial has been named as the anti-independence party’s candidate for next week’s Congress President election.
The position is held by the pro-independence Caledonian Union’s Roch Wamytan, who is serving his third year in office.
Said Sonia Backes, President of the Southern Province and also a junior member of the French government since June la premiere those who voted to remain with France in last year’s referendum must be represented.
“New Caledonians have voted three times to remain French. It is important that all institutions of the territory are not controlled by independence candidates.
“Pro-independence politicians need to understand that there must be a shared responsibility and I think our candidate Gil Brial will be able to represent that.”
Tahiti’s hopeful new airline will be in the air before the end of the year
French Polynesia Vice President Jean-Christophe Buissou said two aircraft to be operated by Air Moana could be ready by October or early November.
The newest domestic carrier, Air Moana, had hoped to launch earlier this year but has yet to obtain an air transport certificate.
The planes will fly to the outer islands.
said Buissou la premiere They are working with the new company to be ready as soon as possible.
“We are working with the company to ensure operations and cargo and passengers take place in the best conditions. We must accelerate the actions needed to welcome the company. We are very positive about the competition with Air Tahiti.”
Orchids coach selects youthful squad
The Papua New Guinea Orchids women’s squad for this year’s Rugby League World Cup in England will include 11 debutants as head coach Ben Jeffries looks to nurture new talent.
Two-thirds of the squad, which has an average age of 25, are based in PNG, while four players have current or current experience in NRL women’s competition.
They are Elsie Albert, Jessikah Reeves, Shellie Long and Therese Aiton.
Jeffries says it’s exciting that there are multiple debutants combined with some veteran Orchids players, including four who found success at the 2017 Worlds.