[PDFlist] Pacific News Today - 5 June, 2019
Soloveni Vitoso
infor at pacificdisability.org
Wed Jun 5 00:14:25 MDT 2019
In this bulletin:
1. SOL --- NZ renews aid agreement with Solomon Islands
2. FIJI --- Australia proud to support Fiji's Black Rock development: Foreign Minister Payne
3. FIJI --- Further tests conducted to clarify U.S couple's death in Fiji
4. SOL --- Morrison: 'Pacific Step up' is like bringing stronger a family
5. PNG --- Decision to resign mine alone says former PNG PM O'Neill
6. FIJI --- Research into child sexual exploitation in Fiji urgently needed says NGO
7. B/VILLE --- President Momis tips PM Marape on aspects of Bougainville referendum
8. SOL --- Crocodile kills a man in Western Province
9. FFA's smallest fisheries surveillance
10. PNG DataCo, NBC ink ICT cable deal
11. PNG Court stays BSP acting on Gumanch coffee Plantation
12. FAO chief hails international treaty combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
13. Go Fish! - But, please, do so legally
14. Asia-Pacific Climate Leaders Pledge to Accelerate Climate Action
15. GDP tragedy: Preventing natural hazards from turning into economic disasters
SOL - DIPLOMACY: RNZ Wed 05 Jun 2019
NZ renews aid agreement with Solomon Islands
HONIARA, 05 JUNE 2019 (RNZ PACIFIC) --- New Zealand's deputy prime minister Winston Peters and his delegation has met with Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare in Honiara renewing his country's ongoing co-operation and support for development in the Pacific country.
Manasseh Sogavare welcomed the visit saying it was an important opportunity to strengthen the dialogue and partnership between the two countries.
During the talks Sogavare expressed his appreciation for the New Zealand government's 'Pacific Reset' policy which has seen an increased focus on the region.
Peters conveyed New Zealand's commitment to a safe and secure Solomon Islands and reiterated his government's support to the country's economic development through assistance in sectors like aviation, tourism, fisheries, agriculture and labour mobility.
Deputy Prime Minister, Peters, said the real benefits of the recently opened Munda International airport, which was funded by New Zealand, are still to be realised for Solomon Islands.
Peters made the remarks in Honiara at a belated celebration for the opening of the airport which began receiving flights from Brisbane in March.
Plans for the airport kicked off in 2012 with the National government committing US$20 million to the tourism development.
While no monetary value was announced, last night, Peters and the Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele, signed an agreement regarding New Zealand's continued support of the aviation sector, including the management of Munda and other airports.
"The Munda upgrade enables the significant development of Western Province's tourism sector and should lead to a much broader economic diversification result," Winston Peters said.
"Investment in the provinces and chances for more inclusive economic activity is critical as Solomon Islands looks to graduate from least developed country status in a few years time."
In response the Solomon Islands Foreign Minister, Jeremiah Manele, welcomed New Zealand's support saying he was looking forward to the work ahead.
"The immediate impact on exploiting tourism potential in the Western Province has been immediate and remarkable. We look forward to further improve the capacities of the Munda International Airport and now that we are supported by the government of New Zealand, to improve other similar airports in the provinces," Manele said.
Manele said the support assists his government with one of their key priorities, which is diversifying the economy.
Winston Peters and his delegation of more than 50 parliamentarians, business people and Maori and Pasifika community leaders from New Zealand will have several more engagements in Honiara today before departing for the final leg of the trip which is to Vanuatu.
FIJI - DIPLOMACY: FBC NEWS/ FIJI GOVT Wed 05 Jun 2019
Australia proud to support Fiji's Black Rock development: Foreign Minister Payne
NADI, 05 JUNE 2019 (FBC NEWS/FIJI GOVT) --- The chance to support the development at the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Black Rock Camp in Nadi is a great one says Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne.
Payne who is on a three day visit to Fiji as the newly appointed Foreign Minister, toured the camp Tuesday.
Her visit aims to strengthen relations on the continued Fiji-Australia 'Vuvale' Partnership as announced by the Prime Ministers of the two countries.
"The Minister and I were just discussing the impact this is going to have in the region in terms of the capacity to train not just across militaries like the RFMF, but also other forces like police who often are part of our peacekeeping work internationally. And Australia and the RFMF have a long history or working together."
"Once completed, it will be a world class facility," Minister Payne said.
Defence Minister Inia Seruiratu shared similar sentiments about the two countries relationship in the peacekeeping field.
"The honourable Minister has stated about the stronger relationship that we have and of course this is a continuation of this. We as responsible global citizens have a responsibility in the maintenance of global peace and security and we are happy to contribute in partnership and this is the new approach the United Nations is also seriously considering."
Camp Black Rock is a Regional Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response Centre.
Meanwhile, Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama received a courtesy call from Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Women Senator Marise Payne in his office.
This is the first visit by Minister Payne after being reappointed as the Minister for Foreign Affairs, after the recent elections in Australia.
Payne also met the Minister for Employment and Acting Minister for Women Parveen Kumar.
The bilateral engagement recognises the renewed commitment of the two nations to strengthen the 'Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership,' which was declared during the historic visit by the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in January this year.
Payne also planted a Dilo tree at Botanical Garden in Suva.
This was part of the Fijian Government's four million trees in four years initiative. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Inia Seruiratu also officiated at the event.
Permanent Secretary for Forestry Pene Baleinabuli, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Iowane Naivalurua and officials from the Australian High Commission were also present at the Botanical Garden.
Dilo is also a common coastal timber tree. It is also commonly known in English as Alexandrian laurel or beach mahogany. Oil from the fragrant fruits is used to scent coconut oil, for medicinal purposes such as liniment and an infusion of the leaves is also used medicinally and make good eye wash.
The wood is used for many purposes such as building canoes, furniture and timber for house constructions. Dilo is a salt and wind tolerant species and also serve the same purpose as mangroves hence it is planted for coastal reforestation and as a wind breaker for coastal communities.
It is a widespread species found also in Australia, East Africa, India and Malaysia.
Minister Payne, who arrived in the country Monday is in Fiji for a three day visit.
FIJI - HEALTH: FBC NEWS Wed 05 Jun 2019
Further tests conducted to clarify U.S couple's death in Fiji
SUVA, 05 JUNE 2019 (FBC NEWS) --- Fiji's Health Ministry confirms that no one else who came in contact with the U.S couple who died in the western division over the weekend has been sick.
Minister responsible, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete says the couple who were in their 30's died due to an illness.
Dr Waqainabete said local and overseas expertise are now carrying out further tests to determine the couple's cause of death.
"There's information that further testing will let us know so at the moment to be really sure we utilising overseas expertise also in terms of testing. But at this time, we've taken all precautionary measures. Unfortunately no one else has been relatively unwell that has happened to the couple and for that we are grateful."
The Minister said locals who came in contact with the two victims are under observation.
"The most important thing we need to realise at the moment is that no one else been unwell despite us being very cautious about it and all those who had been in contact we are monitoring and evaluating them."
The Ministry is working with the Police Force forensics department, the World Health Organisation and the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention on determining the cause of death.
The US Embassy in Fiji is working with the government, police, and health officials on the matter.
At this point, it is not aware of any specific public-health threat to the community.
SOL - DIPLOMACY: SOLOMON STAR Wed 05 Jun 2019
Morrison: 'Pacific Step up' is like bringing stronger a family
HONIARA, 05 JUNE 2019 (SOLOMON STAR) --- The Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison says the purpose of his visit to Solomon Islands is part of the 'Pacific Step-Up' programme with the Pacific island nation.
Morrison in his speech on Monday at Mendana Hotel said in order to step up, one has to show up which he did.
"But showing up is not new to Australia because we have been showing up for Solomon Islands for a long time," he said.
He said the laying of wreath at the memorial park shows a great sign of how humble Australia was in showing up to ensure Solomon Islands is a peaceful, independent, sovereign, stronger and a sustainable country on its own.
Morrison said the Pacific Step-Up programme is all about supporting each other like a family despite whatever challenges faced.
"Family is the most important way to describe what pacific step up is all about.
"It is more than just development assistance, it is more than just an economic cooperation and it is more than RAMSI," he said.
He said it is a deep and abiding protection and connection where if we don't merge and sustain it, or don't commit to it, then we can also lose some of the benefits we should have achieved," he said.
He then reflected on what his dad said about foreign relationship has transactions.
"I think it is in great danger in transaction approach to move relations around the world because we will lose context," he said.
"It is important to look beyond transactions because our relationship is a product of what we share and value and what we do together," PM Morrison said
PNG - POLITICS: POST COURIER Wed 05 Jun 2019
Decision to resign mine alone says former PNG PM O'Neill
PORT MORESBY, 05 JUNE 2019 (POST COURIER) --- Former Papua New Guinea prime minister and leader of the People's National Congress (PNC) Party Peter O'Neill says the decision to resign was his own and in the interest of political stability.
The Member for Ialibu-Pangia, speaking out for the first time since last week's political drama, said he resigned on his own accord and not because of certain leaders' decisions.
"I chose the interests of political stability over political self-interest. I made the decision to resign before I left for Parliament on Wednesday morning, and signed my letter of resignation.
"There is incorrect information in media with certain leaders claiming responsibility for my decision to resign as the prime minister of Papua New Guinea," O'Neill said in relation to statements from former prime ministers Sir Julius Chan (Governor, New Ireland) and Paias Wingti (Western Highlands Governor).
"This was my decision alone and while leaders had provided their views, I was under no obligation to resign as court proceedings were already under way to ensure clarity of process," he said.
"Even the most senior members of the government were not aware that my letter of resignation was being presented to the Governor-General at the same time we took our seats in Parliament.
"However, it was my view that this prolonged action, that would also provide the time to rebuild the number required to govern, would not have been in the best interests of the nation," O'Neill said.
"I have long spoken of the importance of political stability in the long-term interest of our country.
"In making the decision to resign I did not consult with anyone, I did not need to, because for me the decision was clear.
"Leaders who are claiming to be responsible for my decision to resign, or the timing of this decision, are seriously mistaken.
"Some are making false and self-serving statements trying to claim credit, when the reality is that they were themselves hungry for power and are now trying to take credit for the change that has taken place," he said.
O'Neill said the Parliament had since elected the eighth Prime Minister James Marape.
"This matter has been settled and it is time for leaders to put aside their attempts to seek glory and stop this misleading self-praise, and to get behind the government and advance the interests of our nation," O'Neill said.
Meanwhile, PNG Cabinet is expected to come from the coalition partners of the Pangu Party led by Prime Minister James Marape.
Marape hinted last week that the government ranks would be equitable and there will be fair distribution to all regions of the country from the coalition.
"There is a pool of young like-minded leaders who are first timers and second timers in Parliament," he said.
"It's the energy, youth, strength and stamina I am encouraged by, but we also have the elder statesmen that are still serving the country and who can lead these young leaders.
"I am in the business to ascertain what amount of talent we have in our government ranks and in the name of equitable and fair distribution in all regions of our country to all political parties in the coalition mix.
"Hopefully we should find the formula for earlier distribution is correct as early as possible and sometimes mid this week or late next week for full Cabinet.
"The leaders are of the highest quality and are men who are equally talented and we have in place a structure of government that was agreed upon before I was elected.
"They are key leaders in their own right.
"Putting ministers to occupy the ministries is important but more importantly, they must know the sector they are contributing to and fulfill the greater mandate of the coalition we represent as ministers."
The new Cabinet is expected to be announced later this week.
FIJI - SEXUAL EXPLOITATION: ECPAT Wed 05 Jun 2019
Research into child sexual exploitation in Fiji urgently needed says NGO
SUVA, 05 JUNE 2019 (ECPAT) --- A country overview report released Tuesday by ECPAT International says that more research is urgently needed into the sexual exploitation and abuse of children in Fiji.
The report, developed in collaboration with Save the Children Fiji, says that while this country has been determined as a source, destination, and transit country for the international trafficking of children for sexual purposes - recent cases of domestic trafficking in particular show there is a critical need to better understand and deal with the problem.
Iris Low-McKenzie, Chief Executive Officer for Save the Children Fiji cited recent cases highlighted by media of child sexual exploitation, including a man forcing a 15-year old girl into sexual servitude, and juice sellers allegedly selling minors for sex. But, she says while it is clear that there is a serious problem, it is almost impossible to understand its full extent as very little research has been carried out in Fiji.
"We have anecdotal information that domestic trafficking is a reality as children become more mobile for work and study," says Low-McKenzie. "We also know that in Fiji, victims tend to travel between urban areas to accommodate the demand. However, in the absence of any recent research it is very difficult to understand the scale and scope of this issue - and implement strategies to stop it."
The report indicates that 2009 was the last time that research into the sexual exploitation of children was conducted in Fiji, through a Save the Children Fiji and ILO project. Data from this research revealed that some child victims of this crime may be actively engaging in their own sexual exploitation as a survival strategy, and that children are being transported to locations where they are abused, in particular tourist areas or during festivals. It was also revealed that children in Fiji are exploited in both individual and organized operations, often in clubs and brothels operating as motels or massage parlours.
The report also warns of an emerging threat - as Internet access increases. With more than half of the Fijian population now online, Fijian children face the amplified hazard of sexual victimisation.
"Even in the context of an attentive family, children can still be at risk of being sexually exploited online - given the often private and hidden nature of many children's Internet use," said Low-McKenzie. "As in many countries, in Fiji, a major factor is parent's lack of understanding of the risks that their children face online. Although there is a critical lack of research, several reports confirm that the problem has arrived here and parents need to be much more aware of their children's activities online," Low-McKenzie.
B/VILLE - REFERENDUM: POST COURIER Wed 05 Jun 2019
President Momis tips PM Marape on aspects of Bougainville referendum
BUKA, 05 JUNE 2019 (POST COURIER)----The President of the Autonomous region of Bougainville has congratulated Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape, about his taking on the office.
He said: "I congratulate you most sincerely for your elevation to the Office of the Prime Minister.
"I wish you well as you take on the burden of that office.
"Having observed the way in which you discharged your previous ministerial roles, I have no doubt that you will bring new vision and purpose to the role of Prime Minister.
"I will look forward to working closely with you and your government in the important work required over the next 6 months to ensure the holding of a free and fair election, as it required by the National Constitution in provisions that give effect to the Bougainville Peace Agreement," Momis said.
The President said that there were some important aspects of the Bougainville peace process where urgent action and direction is needed from the highest office that the Prime Minister now occupies.
The first concerns the promised funding from the national government to the Bougainville Referendum Commission (BRC), funding which is necessary for the commission to effectively prepare for and carry out the referendum in a timely and effective manner.
"I ask that the new Marape government take action to ensure that the additional K20 million (US$5.9 million) promised to the BRC by the national government is paid as soon as is practicable.
The second matter also relates to the referendum.
"It concerns the regulations about the conduct of the referendum, which need to be made under the Organic Law on Peace-building in Bougainville.
"Those regulations provide for the forms to be used in the next stage of enrolment of voters.
"The draft regulation were prepared some weeks ago, but have yet to be approved by NEC and sent to the Governor General for approval. It would greatly assist the BRC in its work if the regulations can be actioned as soon as practicable, he said.
The third matter relates to the funding of the ABG.
"As you know, that funding is not only provided for under the Bougainville Peace Agreement, but is also guaranteed by the provisions of the National Constitution and the Organic Law on Peace-building in Bougainville.
"But for this year, for the first time ever, the national government made no provision in its budget for the annual restoration and development grant.
"The lack of funding under that grant has left the ABG with almost no discretionary funding for expenditure. I earnestly request that the Marape government take the necessary action, as possible, to remedy this situation," said Momis
The fourth matter concerns the next meeting of the Joint Supervisory Body.
"The agreement the that the previous Prime Minister had with the ABG was that the next JSB be held in early August, shortly before the issue of the writs for the referendum.
"It was agreed that the JSB be held in Buin, in South Bougainville," he said.
The President said he had requested the new Prime Minister to confirm a date in early August (and the proposed venue in Buin) to enable both governments to jointly assess the progress in the preparations for the referendum.
SOL - CROCODILE ATTACK: SOLOMONS POLICE Wed 05 Jun 2019
Crocodile kills a man in Western Province
HONIARA, 05 JUNE 2019 (SOLOMONS POLICE)---The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in Western Province reports that a crocodile has allegedly killed a man on 3 June 2019 on Kolombangara Island.
Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Western Province, Chief Superintendent Mathias Lenialu says, "The body of the person, who was from Kaza Village, was found in the Kaza River on Kolombangara Island early this morning.
PPC Lenialu explains: "Information gathered from the community says people sighted the crocodile last month. The crocodile is believed to have gone ashore at Hapi Village and ate one pig and a dog. Just last week the crocodile came ashore at Kaza Village and ate a dog.
Lenialu says, "At about 5pm (2 June 2019) the diseased went to dive. Members of his family waited for him but he did not return. At about 11pm the same night, the community split into two groups and conducted a search. It was about 2am on 3 June 2019 that they saw a crocodile about two to three metres long still holding onto the body of the diseased."
Members of the communities are urged to report any sightings of a crocodile to your nearest police station or contact the National Response Department (NRD)...PACNEWS
PAC - FISHERIES SURVEILENCE: FFA Wed 05 Jun 2019
FFA's smallest fisheries surveillance
HONIARA,05 JUNE 2019 (FFA)---- Operation Tui Moana 2019 is the smallest regional fisheries surveillance operation conducted by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) yet it still covers a total area of six million square kilometres, equivalent to an area 22 times the size of New Zealand.
The twelve-day operation to detect, deter, report and/or apprehend potential illegal, unregulated or unreported (IUU) fishing activity ended on 31 May 2019. It involved seven FFA member nations - Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga and Tuvalu, and the Quadrilateral Defence Coordination Group (QUADs) made up of Australia, New Zealand, France and the United States defence forces. It also included one of the FFA King Air aircraft from the Pacific Maritime Security Aerial Surveillance Programme operated by FFA.
During the Operation, 57 vessels were boarded and only five minor infringements were found including one vessel with a fish species that was not in accordance with its licence, another with an unsigned logbook after a day of fishing and one that was not carrying line cutters and de-hookers - a requirement for all longline vessels to help ensure they can promptly release sea turtles that are caught or entangled. These infringements have been reported to member countries for further investigation.
"FFA conducts four Operations every year and Tui Moana is the second this year. Lately we have found a steady decline in fisheries infringements and this is very likely due to our regular coordinated regional patrols," said FFA's Director of Fisheries Operations, Allan Rahari.
As a regional surveillance operation, Operation Tui Moana involved over one hundred personnel from across the region, with joint coordination led by the FFA's Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre (RFSC) team.
During the operation eight police, fisheries and military personnel were based at the RFSC and trained in the use of the vessel monitoring systems and associated software.
"The Operation teaches them to experience how the Operations Room functions during a multi asset and nation Operation. The intention is for these officers to be able to utilize what they have learnt in the RFSC in their own headquarters during their own surveillance operations," said Rahari....PACNEWS
PNG - ICT DEAL: POST COURIER Wed 05 Jun 2019
PNG DataCo, NBC ink ICT cable deal
PORT MORESBY, 05 JUNE 2019 (POST COURIER)---PNG DataCo Limited and the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) signed a partnership agreement Tuesday to jointly deliver the government's ICT project in major towns in the country.
Under the agreement, PNG DataCo will be leasing 11 NBC sites to install cable landing stations (CLS) under the Kumul submarine cable network project and one CPI (customer point of interconnect) under the Highlands Fiber Project in the delivery of services nationwide.
PNG DataCo will also provide capacity upon request by NBC. Those 12 sites are Alotau, Lae, Madang, Popondetta, Vanimo, Wewak, Kimbe, Kokopo, Manus, Kavieng, Kerema and Goroka.
PNG DataCo managing director Paul Komboi said the signing is a strategic partnership in efforts to realise cost efficiencies.
He said DataCo is fortunate in that they will now be able to capitalise on the opportunities and synergies by working together with another government owned entity going forward.
NBC managing director Kora Nou said the partnership paves the way for NBC to participate in a project that would be a game changer and is encouraged to work together with SOEs such as DataCo.
"We have had discussion about increasing bandwidth and this partnership is a win-win situation for both SOEs," Nou said.
The two state owned enterprises (SOEs) will worked together to improve ICT sector with high speed broadband, internet data services at high capacities, and furthermore reduce internet rates to the ICT sector....PACNEWS
PNG - COURTS: POST COURIER Wed 05 Jun 2019
PNG Court stays BSP acting on Gumanch Coffee Plantation
PORT MORESBY, 05 JUNE 2019 (POST COURIER)---The controversial and now run down Gumanch Coffee Plantation in the Western Highlands Province, which used to be the largest in the country, is now the subject of another legal dispute in the Waigani National Court.
The Waigani National Court granted stay orders against the Bank South Pacific Ltd and PNG Lands Board on May 14 over any dealings with the Gumanch Plantation land. The stay order follows the grant of an application for leave for judicial review filed by the traditional landowner company, Gumanch Muipulg Wampng Ltd.
The traditional landowners of the Gumanch Plantation land have taken Bank South Pacific Ltd, PNG Land Board and the State to court over the legality of the Agriculture Lease.
On April 3 this year, traditional landowners filed a judicial review proceedings challenging the decision the Land Board made at its meeting from October 28 to November 2 last year and subsequently gazetted in the National Gazettal No. G50 of January 28 this year to grant the agriculture lease described as Portion 35 Volume 34 Folio 242 Milinch Hagen, Fourmil Ramu, Western Highlands Province to a defunct company, Gumanch Plantations Limited.
Court documents showed that about 1999, Bank South Pacific Ltd appointed a receiver and manager David Guinn for Gumanch Plantation Limited and Pipilika Development Corporation Limited and took possession of the agriculture lease and the plantation for debts owed by those companies.
BSP itself and through its liquidator, David Guinn was in control and management of the agriculture lease and Gumanch Plantations Limited for more than 19 years.
However, the agriculture lease expired on or about November 10, 2008, but they failed to renew it promptly and within reasonable time and allowed 10 years to pass.
During the 10 years the agriculture lease remained expired, until in November last year, an attempt was made by BSP.
Further, while under BSP's management, Gumanch Plantations Limited was deregistered and subsequently removed from the Register of Companies on June 3, 2002, and it remains deregistered as at the date of filing of current court case.
However, court documents reveal that the Gazetted No. G50 of 2019, dated January 28 this year published at Item No.7 of the successful applicants it listed Gumanch Plantations Pty Ltd as a successful applicant for renewal of the agriculture lease.
The traditional landowners have written to the Land Board chairman Sam Wange, questioning why the Land Board granted the agriculture lease to a company that was deregistered eight years previously.
Same questions are being put before the court and it is expected that Mr Wange and his board will explain to the court what process and law they relied on in granting the state lease to a deregistered company.
FAO chief hails international treaty combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
The Port State Measures Agreement's rapid adoption is a critical boon for global efforts to safeguard global marine resources and achieve food security
SANTIAGO, 05 JUNE 2019 (FAO)--- FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva hailed the more than 100 countries that are committed to combating unsustainable and illegal fishing, calling the rapid international adoption of the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing a "fantastic achievement".
The PSMA, an international treaty brokered by FAO, entered into force in 2016. Today, more than 100 countries have adhered or are preparing to do so.
"Today I see a room filled with many more delegates than two years ago," Graziano da Silva said in an address to the Second Meeting of the Parties to the PSMA gathered in Chile to discuss how to optimize implementation of the treaty.
The PSMA requires foreign vessels to submit to inspections at any port of call, if deemed necessary by port states, and for such states to share information on detected violations. The agreement strengthens prior rules requiring countries to control the activities of their own fishing fleets and is designed to raise the cost of IUU fishing by making it harder for wrongly-caught fish to be sold.
IUU fishing is estimated to account for up to 26 million tonnes a year, or around one-fifth of the global catch, and undermines efforts to ensure sustainable fisheries through effective fish stock management measures around the world. Currently, one-third of the world's fish stocks are being caught at biologically unsustainable levels - up threefold from the mid-1970s. "
"One of the main conditions of the PSMA to achieve good results is to have a large number of countries preventing vessels from landing their illegal catch." Graziano da Silva said. "Otherwise, if a vessel cannot disembark in one country, it will do so in a neighboring country."
Currently, adhering Parties comprise more than half of the planet's coastal states.
The Meeting of the Parties in Chile
On the agenda of the four-day Meeting, which began on Monday, are agreeing rules of procedure by which parties can govern the administrative aspects of the PSMA, further technical protocols for how parties will exchange information, and focus on how to assure funding mechanisms that allow developing countries to implement the treaty provisions.
Graziano da Silva noted the kind and generous support of numerous countries in helping develop global capacity to implement the PSMA, and in particular thanked Norway for helping developing countries participate in the current Meeting. FAO has devoted substantial resources from its own budget to boost the prospects for success of the treaty as part of the Organisation's broader mission to stamp out IUU fishing.
Parties are also expected to discuss how a broad monitoring and review of the PSMA's implementation, mandated for 2020, will take shape.
The Parties' work is critical to the common quest to safeguard global marine resources and achieve sustainable development. IUU fishing also puts millions of livelihoods at risk and distorts markets for an important global industry as and source of nutrition.
"This is an important meeting for food security at the global level," said Jose Ramon Valente, Chile's Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism. "From now until 2050, the world's population will need more protein, without saturated fats, and that's what ocean products offer," he added.
The International Day for the Fight Against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing will be celebrated on 5 June 2019.
Go Fish! - But, please, do so legally
Op-ed by By Kundhavi Kadiresan, Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO)
APIA, 05 JUNE 2019 (FAO PACIFIC)---Pacific Islanders love fish and both demand and consumption of fish is on the rise. On the one hand that's good, because fish is high in protein and low in fat and that helps to feed a hungry world while providing livelihoods for hundreds of millions of people across the Asia-Pacific region. But this increase in demand has also created opportunities for criminals to make a profit.
While most of the Asia-Pacific fishing fleets operate within the rules, some U$S5 billion worth of fish is caught either illegally, has not been reported or the fishing boats are operating in an unregulated environment (IUU). That's bad news on a number of levels.
While IUU fishing is a global problem, the situation is disproportionately worse here in our region because Asia and the Pacific produce 75 percent of the world's seafood, and because IUU fishers target countries with poorly developed economies and regulations and that are also home to some of the most vulnerable communities.
Of course IUU fishing leads to over-exploitation of fish stocks and has a devastating impact on biodiversity and habitat. But it also hits honest fishers and communities dependent upon them, right in the pocket. That includes buyers, sellers and legitimate industrial operations.
In fact, evidence is mounting that IUU fishing is often associated with other transnational crimes too, including the exploitation of migrant workers enduring slave-like conditions on fishing boats at sea. In short, IUU fishing is a widespread and persistent problem across the Asia-Pacific region and resolving it will require long-term and unified regional commitment.
A good day's catch - reeling in the bad guys
The good news is that many countries have now recognized the need to take action on IUU and are doing so. Many, including Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Palau, Tonga, Vanuatu and others in the Pacific, have signed up to the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), a legally binding treaty that operates as a giant worldwide net that's closing in around IUU fishers.
Introduced by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization in 2009, the PSMA was the first ever international agreement to set minimum standards for countries to prevent IUU seafood products from entering ports. Now fully enforceable, it provides a regulatory framework for countries to refuse entry of vessels suspected of participating or facilitating IUU fishing activities and allows for enforced inspection of vessels if entry is granted.
Once a fishing boat is identified as one operating in contravention of the PSMA, the information can be shared with the maritime and fishing authorities of other countries - making it that much more difficult for that particular boat and its captain to continue profiting from IUU fishing.
The effectiveness of this instrument in the region is clear, with vessels being seized and prosecuted by countries that have acceded to the PSMA. Thailand and Indonesia are two such examples. So far, nineteen countries and territories in the Asia-Pacific region have acceded to the PSMA and several more are in the process of doing so.
The PSMA is complemented by other regional initiatives that are setting seafood traceability standards so that buyers of seafood from the Asia-Pacific region can be guaranteed that the product does not come from IUU fishing practices. Such guarantees are opening international markets for Asia and Pacific products.
However, while real and rapid progress is being made in Asia and the Pacific to reduce illegal fishing there is still much to be done to eliminate misreporting or non-reporting of catch. The rapid advancement of access to telecommunications in the Asia-Pacific region has provided an infrastructure for the adoption of digital tools for reporting of catch. The immediate challenge is to empower fishers to adopt this technology downstream.
Eyes in the sky, boats on the water, boots on the ground
Upstream, the region now has seven "state-of-the-art" fisheries monitoring and surveillance centres that utilise high-tech equipment to identify vessels suspected of engaging in IUU practices. The establishment of national centres in Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand and USA, in conjunction with the regional surveillance centre for the western Pacific in the Solomon Islands, has increased the capacity for cohesion and collaboration among Asia-Pacific neighbours to tackle IUU fishing.
Further developing efficient and effective monitoring and surveillance technologies, rewarding honest fishers (including small scale fishers) for accurately reporting all catch (through enhanced market access), and building capacity of port states to detect and prosecute IUU fishers are clear steps for eliminating IUU fishing. Accession by all Asia-Pacific countries to the PSMA will send a loud and clear message to those involved in, or considering, IUU fishing that we're onto them.
The 5th of June is International Day for the Fight against IUU Fishing and it's a timely reminder of the tasks at hand. There has never been a better time for the countries of the Asia-Pacific region to expand their efforts to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. That time is now.
Asia-Pacific Climate Leaders Pledge to Accelerate Climate Action
BRISBANE, 05 JUNE 2019 (THE CLIMATE GROUP) --- As climate change continues to make headlines globally, an ambitious group of leaders from Asia-Pacific nations, states, regions, territories and cities gathered in Brisbane and committed to ramping up efforts on climate action.
At the Asia-Pacific Climate Leadership Forum organised by The Climate Group, an international non-profit with the mission of accelerating climate action, an Asia-Pacific Climate Leaders' Declaration was launched and nine governments pledged their support. In doing so, they committed to tackling key challenges such as protecting marine life, cutting emissions from the land sector and strengthening international cooperation and dialogue on climate action, in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
The endorsing governments also called on other state, regional, city and national governments in the Asia-Pacific region to join them in signing this declaration to help strengthen international efforts in tackling climate change.
Tim Ash Vie, Director of the Under2 Coalition of States and Regions, The Climate Group, said:
"As we enter this decade of climate action, we want to drive greater commitment from governments and businesses to deliver action at the scale and speed we need.
"Right now, international collaboration is vital in building momentum towards this goal. As we approach global climate events such as the UN Climate Action Summit in September, we have to see increased ambition from global governments."
2019 is a particularly important year for climate action as national governments evaluate how to increase the ambition of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. In this context, the Asia-Pacific Climate Leadership Forum is particularly timely, giving these key players from across the region an international platform to showcase their action.
Leanne Enoch, Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland Government, said:
"It is important that Queensland and other subnational governments have a forum to come together and speak about our collective desire to combat climate change. These conversations are happening all over the world, and our region should be part of them.
"In Queensland we know that climate change will deliver environmental challenges, including more extreme weather. However, it will also deliver us some great economic opportunities.
"I am pleased that the subnational governments here in Brisbane for Queensland's first ever Climate Week and have taken the opportunity to engage in this important set of meetings."
During the event, states, territories and regions, as well as the Pacific Island nations also discussed how they can collaborate to limit global warming, exchanging experiences and ideas, while showcasing their commitments.
The Asia-Pacific Climate Leadership Forum took place at the beginning of Climate Week QLD 2019, during which Al Gore will facilitate climate leadership training from 5 - 7 June 2019 in Brisbane, Queensland.
As the Secretariat to the Under2 Coalition of global states and regions committed to climate action, The Climate Group is proud of its long-standing relationship with the Asia-Pacific members of the Under2 Coalition. The Under2 Coalition is driven by a group of ambitious state and regional governments, who are committed to keeping global temperature rises to well below 2°C and pursuing efforts towards 1.5°C. It brings together more than 220 governments who represent over 1.3 billion people and 43% of the global economy.
Asia-Pacific Climate Leadership Forum Attendees
* Australian Capital Territory, Australia
* Chhattisgarh, India
* City of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
* City of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
* City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
* Gujarat, India
* New South Wales, Australia
* North Kalimantan, Indonesia
* Northern Territory, Australia
* Papua New Guinea
* Queensland, Australia
* Queensland, Australia
* Independent State of Samoa
* South Australia, Australia
* Tasmania, Australia
* Torres Strait Island Regional Council, Australia
* Torres Strait Regional Authority, Australia
* Victoria, Australia
* West Papua, Indonesia
Asia-Pacific Climate Leaders' Declaration Signatories
* Chhattisgarh, India
* City of Melbourne, Australia
* City of Sydney, Australia
* North Kalimantan, Indonesia
* Queensland, Australia
* Independent State of Samoa
* South Australia, Australia
* West Kalimantan, Indonesia
GDP tragedy: Preventing natural hazards from turning into economic disasters
By Benno Ferrarini, Principal Economist, & Suzette Dagli, Economics Officer, from the Asian Development Bank's Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department
SYDNEY, 05 JUNE 2019(ADB)---The developing countries of Asia are home to more than half of the world's people, most of whom live in areas that are prone to disasters. Natural hazards-such as storms and earthquakes-frequently endanger people and demolish fixed assets, capital, crops and raw materials, especially in areas that have high exposure and vulnerability such as a city with poor building quality in an earthquake-prone location.
Between 2000 and 2018, developing Asia was home to 84% of the 206 million people affected by disasters globally each year, according to a special chapter on disaster resilience in ADB's Asian Development Outlook 2019. The report noted that developing countries in Asia also accounted for 55% of the 60,000 disaster fatalities worldwide.
Economic damage and, more tragically, loss of life impair economic activity and slow its expansion. The destruction of human and physical capital results not only in foregone production, but spillovers and knock-on effects can ripple across the entire economy. Between 2000-2018, disasters cost the region $644 billion in total damages to physical assets, which is a very conservative estimate due to underreporting of less visible events, especially slow-onset and recurring disasters such as droughts or monsoonal flooding. In relative terms, impacts are felt most strongly in the Pacific, where more than 10% of population and 6% of assets are affected by disasters each year on average.
Tail events, such as Cyclone Pam which swept across the southern Pacific Ocean in March 2015, can be truly catastrophic and leave nothing but destruction in their wake, like that damage equivalent to 64% of gross domestic product (GDP) incurred in Vanuatu. More often, though, disasters are localized events with impacts concentrated in the affected area. However intense locally, impacts tend to be diluted when averaged out over a large unit of analysis, such as national GDP.
This aggregation problem explains, in part, why the literature on the impact of disasters on growth remains largely inconclusive. Some empirical studies have indeed documented disruptive effects on growth, but others have struggled to produce corroborating evidence, or even found that disasters may benefit growth, such as cases of mild flooding which leads to higher soil fertility and agricultural output.
In the Pacific, a major disaster can slow the country's gross domestic product by 1-2 percent
So precisely how do disasters affect economic growth in developing Asia? To find out, we did some research for a working paper which involved estimating cross-country growth regressions from 1980 to 2017, based on the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT) and World Bank data. It finds that severe disasters-the strongest 25% among all the disasters on record during the years analyzed-lowered GDP growth significantly in the Pacific small island developing states.
These economies' output slowed by between 1-2 percentage points on average, depending on whether disasters are measured in terms of intensity, damage, or the number of people affected. The results show that growth in developing Asia as whole is far less affected, and the same is true for all its sub regions-other than the Pacific. There is some evidence of a negative growth impact for Southeast Asia, but there are no statistically significant negative results for East Asia, Central Asia, and South Asia. Outside Asia, the study finds that growth in the Caribbean is most severely impacted by disasters, reinforcing the conclusion overall about the disproportionate susceptibility of small island economies to the impacts from natural hazards.
Our findings should come to no surprise, given small island economies' extreme exposure and vulnerability to natural hazards, which is compounded by their small size, remoteness, and limited diversification of resources.
However, they do emphasize the importance of international support mechanisms that can be activated quickly enough to limit a disaster's economic impact. Recent examples include ADB's disbursement of disaster contingent financing to Tonga just three days after the country was struck by typhoon Gita in February last year, and the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company, a risk-pooling consortium making parametric insurance accessible to these countries.
Thanks,
Solo
Soloveni Vitoso
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