Tuvalu

Tuvalu pushes for climate displacement laws at UN

It will provide a forum to discuss paths forward through disaster risk reduction programs, legal guidelines, and potential land solutions.

The COP23 Oceans Action forum in Germany has heard the latest scientific evidence on how the effects of ocean warming, acidification, de-oxygenation, sea-level rise and increased storm activity, are making people more vulnerable to migration and displacement.

Fiji and Tuvalu join International Solar Alliance

The International Solar Alliance was launched by India in late 2015 and has about 40 countries as members.

The Alliance's aim is to undertake innovative efforts to develop solar power technology at a reduced cost.

India's government said the Alliance is seeking investment to promote energy security and access for its members.

Any country located between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn is eligible to join the Alliance.

Vanuatu is also a member.

 

 

Photo: AFP

Tuvalu’s PM unhappy with lack of commitment to Climate Change Insurance

 Sopoaga insisted that the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders should focus their discussions and deliberations on issues of common concern to the Pacific and not on “high politics such as North Korea.”
 
Speaking to Talamua just after the meeting communiqué was released, Sopoaga was very vocal in his thoughts about the North Korean issue and how the Pacific leaders responded to it quicker and made very little mention of the climate change insurance.
 

Tuvalu to use Nauru rock boulders in coastal adaptation project

The agreement was signed by Nauru President, Baron Waqa and Tuvalu, Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga at a side event at the 48th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in Apia.

The rocks will be used to protect the newly reclaimed Queen Elizabeth 2nd Park in Funafuti as part of Tuvalu’s coastal adaptation programme.

The park is part of Tuvalu’s preparations to host the PIF Leaders Summit in 2019.

Tuvalu hopes Trump will change view on climate change

Mr Sopoaga, who leads a country already experiencing sea level rise, is at the Pacific Forum leaders’ summit in Apia where climate change is on the agenda.

He said given the US president Donald Trump's dismissal of the agreement, nations needed to work multi-laterally to ensure there is trust and respect in the interests of saving humanity.

Tuvalu launches human rights plan

The national action plan was launched by the prime minister Enele Sopoaga and aims to enshrine human rights in the country's development priorities.

Mr Sopoaga said the plan was the outcome of consultations with government departments, NGOs and communities to identify human rights priorities.

He said it meant that the marginalised, the old and young; men, women and children, and people with disabilities will now be catered for in the country's development projects.

Forced displacement last option, says Tuvalu PM

Enele Sopoaga made the comment at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific office in Suva.

Tuvalu's low-lying atolls are considered among the countries most at risk from inundation by sea-level rise.

Mr Sopoaga stressed the need for Pacific Island nations to take a regional approach to addressing the threat of climate change.

The Fiji Times reports him saying Tuvalu is trying its best to protect its people so that they don't have to move or be forced to leave their islands.

Improved maritime facilities for Tuvalu outer islands

The Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project aims to construct a small harbour on the island of Nukulaelae, and rehabilitate boat ramps on Nanumaga and Niutao.

Most Tuvalu outer islands lack docking facilities for ocean-going ships making it more difficult to transfer passengers and cargo on workboats.

The Financial reported that the $US13.3 million project is geared to develop an overall plan for making shipping to and from the capital safer and more efficient.

As their nation sinks, Tuvaluans raise their language

But the celebrations have reflected an urgency among Tuvaluans who are trying to keep their culture alive and strong, while their small island nation is sinking.

Nauru to join Tuvalu medical students undergoing internship training in Kiribati

Health Secretary Dr Teatao Tiira told Radio Kiribati News the new cohort from Tuvalu will join their fellow trainee doctors from Tuvalu who are currently in the country undergoing a two-year internship training under the programme.

Dr Tiira says the Tuvaluan students will be joined shortly in the programme by three medical students from Nauru who are expected to arrive in the country sometimes this month.