[PDFlist] PAC News - 1 June, 2018

[Soloveni Vitoso]

PACNEWS

Pacific News Agency Service - administered by the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA)

Second Edition                                              Friday 1 June 2018             © Copyright PINA 2018


SAMOA - INDEPENDENCE: PACNEWS                                                                                                                                       PACNEWS 2: Fri 01 June 2018

Samoa celebrates 56th anniversary of independence

APIA, 01 JUNE 2018 (PACNEWS) --- Samoa today celebrated its 56th anniversary of independence.

Speaking at the Independence celebration in Apia, Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi says the island nation has come a long way as a sovereign nation.

“The government of Samoa today echoes the dream of our forefathers from 56 years ago - to shoulder the responsibility of self-governance and a destiny firmly placed in the hands of the leaders and our people.  We owe everything to God for keeping Samoa stable, peaceful and harmonious. We have had our struggles and difficulties and have learned that we do not have all the answers. That is why we need each other.

“Durable partnerships and mutual relations are vital to collectively respond to the daunting challenges of being small with scarce resources. Climate change, transnational organized crimes, cybercrimes, and alarming rates of non-communicable diseases require closer social and economic relations and shared responsibility between our countries.

“As stewards of the world’s biggest, most peaceful and abundant ocean continent, we draw strength and confidence from our culture and traditions, and our Christian values that bind Pacific peoples and communities together. Our vision for the Pacific as a region of peace, security, social inclusion and prosperity calls for stronger regional cooperation, so that our people can lead free, healthy and productive lives.

“We look to the future with unwavering faith that despite the difficulties we all face as independent countries. God is in control. He will continue to direct our paths if we continue to abide in Him,” Tuilaepa said.

He also acknowledged the presence of Fiji President Major General (retired) Jioji Konrote, and Nauru President Baron Waqa for attending the celebration.

“We thank you for joining our people for the first time in celebrating our independence. Earlier this year, I was invited together with the President of Fiji to the fiftieth independence commemoration of the Republic of Nauru, and we witnessed the strong sense of nationalism and belonging among the people of Nauru. The same spirit is very much alive in our country as we had witnessed this morning in the March Parade.

Let me acknowledge with sincere gratitude the Governor of American Samoa and the Titular Head of Tokelau. Thank you indeed for accepting our humble invitation,” Tuilaepa said.

Samoa Head of State Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II says today’s celebration is felt at every corner of the country.

“We are gratified that we are an Independent nation governed by our own people, and have our own laws, customs, traditions and Christian principles which complement each other, distinguishing us from other countries of the world. It is with pride that we remember our Forefathers and Leaders who championed the Independence movement which has made Samoa a truly sovereign nation.

“I thank the honourable Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Speaker and the members of the Parliament of Samoa and the Judiciary for their stewardship of our country. I thank also all the people of Samoa for your significant and various contributions to the development and security of our country. I would also like to thank our development partners for their continuing support which has empowered Samoa to pursue other facets of our development.

“I am aware that many of our people do pray for our Leaders and for peace, security and prosperity of our country. We need peace in Samoa, peace in the Pacific Region, and peace in the world,” he stressed.... PACNEWS

AUST - DEFENCE: ADF                                        PACNEWS 2: Fri 01 Jun 2018

Indo-Pacific Endeavour 18 continues to build regional security and stability

CANBERRA, 01 JUNE 2018 (AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE) --- Australian Minister for Defence, Senator Marise Payne, today announced the commencement of the 2018 iteration of Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE 18), a major annual maritime activity that delivers on the promise of the 2016 Defence White Paper to deepen Australia’s engagement and partnerships with regional security forces.

Over the next three months HMA Ships Adelaide, Melbourne, Toowoomba, and Success will form a task group that enhances relationships, builds partner capacity and improves military interoperability throughout the Southwest Pacific.

Minister Payne said Indo-Pacific Endeavour is one of the ADF’s most important annual activities and represents a major contribution to regional security and stability.

“Our ability to respond rapidly to regional humanitarian and security challenges is based on strong and enduring relationships with regional militaries, governments and local communities,” Minister Payne said.

“These relationships are forged through disaster planning, exercises and other military activities that enhance our ability to operate seamlessly with our partners in the Southwest Pacific.

“Indo-Pacific Endeavour provides the ADF with all of those opportunities.”

ADF personnel will carry out a series of engagement activities and military training exercises during port visits in Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.

Minister Payne said the centrepiece of the IPE 18 Joint Task Group will be the Canberra-class Landing Helicopter Dock Ship, HMAS Adelaide.

“HMAS Adelaide provides the ADF with one of the most capable and sophisticated air-land-sea amphibious deployment systems in the world. It is perfectly suited to undertake a range of operations in the Indo-Pacific region,” Minister Payne said.

The IPE 18 Task Group will depart Townsville on 2 June with nearly 1000 personnel embarked. The first port call for Adelaide and Melbourne will be Fiji, while Toowoomba and Success will visit Vanuatu.....PACNEWS

FIJI - HEALTH: FBC NEWS                                   PACNEWS 2: Fri 01 Jun 2018

Majority of Fijians in urban areas not making right food choices

SUVA, 01 JUNE 2018 (FIJI TIMES) --- Majority of Fiji’s population residing in urban areas are not making the right food choices that can help minimise the risk of having diabetes.

This was highlighted by Diabetes Fiji, Chair Dr. Jone Hawea.

He says it’s critical that people put in an effort to look after their health with the increasing number of young people diagnosed with diabetes in the country.

Dr Hawea says there are many reasons to why people prefer processed food or takeaway, but this should not become a habit.

“People are resorting to cheap unhealthy alternatives so that means that either our healthy food is unavailable, inaccessible or it’s unaffordable. So policymakers need to look at these things to make it available, accessible and affordable, just healthy foods. And allow for healthy behavior to be promoted like exercise. There need to be a lot more parks or exercise places especially for the major populated areas like Suva, Lautoka, Labasa and Nadi.”

Dr Hawea is urging the public to take awareness campaigns on the killer disease seriously and work towards building a healthy diet for themselves.

Meanwhile, there's an increasing number of young people now being diagnosed with diabetes in Fiji and many are not even aware of having the chronic disease.

Dr Hawea says many people have diabetes for a long period of time before they’re diagnosed and this results in an unexpected amputation.

“Realistically, the ages are getting younger and just last several days at the Lautoka Hospital we amputated a thirty-year-old iTaukei woman – whose yet to be married and she had type two diabetes. So she found out on admission to the hospital that she was diabetic and that’s almost like a norm now for us, for people to find out that they’re diabetic when they are being presented with a problem like that.”

Dr Hawea says people are turning to cheap unhealthy alternatives and not taking awareness campaigns seriously until they’re diagnosed with the killer disease.

“What I am concerned about is how much do people own these educational health promotions or how much do they buy into it because it’s until people allow themselves to be educated and make the changes necessary – so they either prevent themselves from having diabetes or if they do have diabetes and prevent the complications that will end their lives earlier or have a major event like a heart attack, stroke or amputation.”

Diabetes Fiji says according to the Health Ministry’s 2012 statistics survey – one in three people in the country has diabetes which simply means that close to 30% of the population is actually diabetic.... PACNEWS

TONGA - PALIAMENT: RADIO & TV TONGA NEWS     PACNEWS 2: Fri 01 Jun 2018

Lord Fakafanua says the Legislative Assembly and the government will address the issues raised by His Majesty

NUKU'ALOFA, 01 JUNE 2018 (RADIO &TV TONGA NEWS) --- Tonga's Speaker of the Legislative Assembly says the Government and the House will address issues raised by His Majesty during the State opening of Parliament Thursday.

In an interview with Radio and Television Tonga, Lord Fakafanua says His Majesty identified a number of issues the House and government need to address – including the needs of those affected by Cyclone Gita, healthy living, education and drugs.

A sub -committee has been appointed by the Speaker to draft the reply to His Majesty's Address.

The Speaker said the draft of the reply from the sub-committee will be ready next Tuesday and the House will approve the reply before it is delivered it to His Majesty.

Parliament will resume on Wednesday.

Lord Fakafanua also confirmed the House has received the petition for the impeachment of several Cabinet Ministers and the Privilege committee… PACNEWS

PAC - LIBRARIES: PACIFIC LIBRARIES SUMMIT    PACNEWS 2: Fri 01 Jun 2018

Libraries play important role in the achievement of UN SDGs

SUVA, 01 JUNE 2018 (PACIFIC LIBRARIES SUMMIT) --- The custodians of public information in the Pacific region have collectively agreed that libraries are engines of development and play an important role in order to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

In order to achieve that, the librarians and library stakeholders will need to strengthen the impact of Pacific Libraries to better support the needs of Pacific communities through collaborative networks and advocacy.

During the Library Advocacy Workshop held at the Pearl Resort, outside Suva yesterday, the library practitioners reaffirmed their commitment to work together for the benefit of Pacific communities through strengthened library services, advocacy and networking.

International Federation of Library Associations President Elect Christine Mackenzie said during the advocacy workshop "There have been many ideas raised on how we as librarians can contribute to national SDGs reporting. We want governments to know how strong libraries are in community development. If they support libraries then literacy rates will rise, people will be better informed to make discussions that improve their lives," said Mackenzie.

The two day workshop will close with a call to action for Pacific Libraries, to improve libraries capacity to help Pacific people to reach their full potential.

Pacific libraries are looking forward to communicating with a strong voice together......PACNEWS
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