Fiji

She has been attending the Pacific Islands Development Forum in Fiji where Pacific island countries have been coming up with a position to take to crucial UN climate change talks in Paris in November.

The statement includes a demand on limiting global temperature to 1 point 5 degrees over pre-industrial levels.

Mrs Robinson says the statement will have an impact on industrialised nations.

His appointment was announced by Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama at the PIDF Summit that ended on Friday.

“I have an important announcement to make – the name of the new Secretary General of the PIDF.

“The person we have chosen to take our organization forward is Mr Francois Martel of Samoa.

Marshall Islands Foreign Affairs Minister Tony de Brum said the Pacific needed the PIDF because the former South Pacific Commission set up to look after the Pacific couldn't do so because of influence from donors such as US and UK.

He said donors gave funds with strings attached and it prevented regional organisations from doing what they were initially set up for. This, he said, had happened again to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and there was a need to have the PIDF.

He says he had hoped Australia would have done better in its target of reducing emissions by between 26 and 28 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030.

"I have a simple message today for the Australian Prime Minister: Mr Abbott, it is time to put the welfare and survival of your Pacific Island neighbours before the expansion of your existing coal industry and your continuing reliance on this dirtiest of energy sources. The other day, the President of Kiribati, His Excellency Anote Tong, described Australia's loyalty to coalmines as selfish and I couldn't agree more."

On his first official visit to Fiji,  Nakao also called on Attorney General and Finance Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Foreign Affairs Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola. Discussions focused on ways ADB can further enhance its support for Fiji to meet its development priorities.    

Nakao’s programme also included a visit to the ADB-supported Kinoya wastewater treatment plant near Suva and an official address at the University of the South Pacific (USP), where he discussed potential opportunities and policy priorities for Pacific island countries.

The MSG Trade Agreement, which has been in operation for over 20 years, has been primarily focused on trade in goods but in the revised agreement known as MSGTA 3, it will include Trade in Services, and new chapters such as Labour Mobility, Investment, and Telecommunications. 

While progress has been made on a number of chapters, officials have been held up on some key issues - working out the implementation realities, ensuring that the interpretations are clear, and seeking more time to consult with other government agencies and governments. 

Effective management of this revenue will be critical to ensure that long term benefits are realised.

Through the European Union Deep Sea Minerals Project, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) is partnering with the International Monetary Fund and the Pacific Financial Technical Assistance Centre to hold a workshop in Nadi this week (24-27 August) that focuses on the management of revenue emanating from deep sea minerals development.

The meetings are being held at the Tanoa International Hotel, Nadi, Fiji. 

Senior officials and representatives from Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu will be in attendance as part of talks towards a new and more comprehensive trade agreement - MSGTA3 – that will now include Trade in Services, and new chapters such as Labour Mobility, Investment, and Telecommunications. 

MSG Leaders have directed that a draft legal text of the trade agreement must be ready by November 2015.

The meetings include: 

Cook Islands won the biennial event two years ago but will not defend their title, choosing to focus their limited resources on November's Olympic Sevens Qualifier.

Newcomers American Samoa open proceedings against Solomon Islands at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, followed by hosts Papua New Guinea against Tahiti, in the first round of matches.

The General Manager of Rugby PNG, Frank Genia, says pride and silverware aren't the only things on up for grabs.

“A woman who sells fish by the road side in Tarawa pays AUD$5 (US$3) a day to the Bairiki Town Council,” says Mereia Volavola, CEO of PIPSO.

“In a year she is charged AU$2, 000 (US$1,467).

“Similarly in Fiji, a woman who sells her garden produce by the road side in Suva pays a business licence of FJ$2000 (US$1,000) in one year to the Suva City Council. Yet an accounting agency is charged just about FJ$00 (US$250).