[PDFlist] Pacific News Today - 19 June, 2019

[Soloveni Vitoso]

In this bulletin:

1. PACIFIC --- Climate expert warns of 'losing the carbon war'
2. VAN --- Vanuatu's women-only party aims to get more females into politics
3. B/VILLE --- PNG government dedicated to Bougainville Affairs: Sir Puka
4. COOKS --- Legal challenge against Cook Islands Censor
5. EU--- EU and WHO team up to boost access to health services in developing countries
6. VAN ---  Tuvalu’s new patrol boat to arrive in Port Vila today
7. AUST --- Former Australian immigration official now working for Paladin
8. Fiji Airways awarded coveted skytrax 4- star ratings
9. Samoa Agribusiness Support Project on the move
10. Papua LNG deal binding: Haiveta
11. Over a million children in PNG to be vaccinated against measles- rubella and polio
12. Hate speech ‘on notice’ as UN chief launches new plan to ‘identify, prevent and confront’ growing scourge


PAC - CLIMATE CHANGE: RNZ PACIFIC                                   Wed 19 Jun 2019

Climate expert warns of 'losing the carbon war'

AUCKLAND, 19 JUNE 2019 (RNZ PACIFIC)---A leading Pacific climate scientist says the global climate crisis will continue with devastating effect unless fossil fuels are completely phased out.

Samoan-born, New Zealand-based, Penehuro Lefale was one of the contributing authors for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which was jointly-awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.

Lefale said the world's reliance on oil and gas and its inability to find alternatives for "clean fuel" are key contributors to the problem.

He said in order to win the "carbon war" the world must realise that carbon is the problem.

“Unfortunately, the world relies on fossil fuel which is the main sources of carbon. It is the fuel of the global economy.

“So, we need to find some alternative solutions to fossil fuel. We will not solve this problem by just doing what we're doing now.”

He said the world is faced with a major challenge because the global economy relies heavily on oil and gas.

“You use your car, you go on a plane, the ships, your electricity at home. Every single human activity relates to fossil fuel carbon emissions.”
He said the other biggest challenge is to rid carbon from economic activity “before it's too late when the atmosphere no longer can accept more carbon”.

Lefale said there have been numerous pacts signed and agreed to by world leaders - with the United Nations Forum Convention on Climate Change in 1992.

He said the international community also agreed to be proactive about the issue of climate change and pushed for the Kyoto Protocol - agreed to in 1997.

“The problem with the Kyoto Protocol, it was only for developed countries, so the US decided not to ratify the Kyoto Protocol because their argument is - even if the US and all the developed countries reduce their emissions at a safe level, the emissions from big developing countries are going to overtake that.

“And it's come true now. China is now the number one greenhouse gas emitter compared to the US back in 1997.”

But Lefale said whatever the context of political debate, “the atmosphere doesn't recognise political boundaries”.

“And that's a difficult negotiation because the developed countries cannot do it on their own - developing countries have to act.

“But then developing countries need the technology and need assistance from developed countries not only to reduce gas emissions, but also adapt to current impacts.”

Lefale said there are two things the world can do to solve the problem.

“First is to remove fossil fuel subsidies because the bulk of the global economy is on fossil fuel.

“A lot of the big companies like oil companies, gas and gold companies are heavily subsidised by governments to make it cheaper for us - like when you go to fill your car in the gas station.

“So, unless we remove that subsidy, there will be no change.

“The second is coming up with a technological solution - really innovative, transformative technological solution that we need right away to bring it down, while hoping that the fossil fuel industry and the subsidies will be removed slowly over time,” he said.

“Some sort of planetary scale climate engineering technologies.”

Lefale called on the world's leaders to follow up on their talks of commitment with real and effective action.

Lefale said he had been involved climate science since 1983, when he was still a student.

“I started off as a weather back in Apia under the former New Zealand Meteorological Service. And when we were looking at the trends back then, it was just a science issue, we were focusing on the science side, and it wasn't politicised.

“Once you moved into the realm of the political process like in 1998 - the second world climate conference - when Margaret Thatcher the former prime minister of the United Kingdom called it the most difficult challenge the world's going to face.

“Coming from that sort of highest level makes all the difference in terms of how the political debate moves on the climate change.”

Lefale said climate change became political when James Hansen, the former professor at NASA, testified in Congress, in 1988, following one of the worst-ever droughts in US history.

“This is where the human-induced component came up. So politically there was this movement towards the need to do something about it.

“When I compare how much carbon and other gases are in the atmosphere and I compare it to today - it's doubled,” he said.


s women-only party aims to get more females into politics

PORT VILA, 19 JUNE 2019 (ABC)---Political parties in Vanuatu are already lobbying ahead of next year's national election, due early in the 2020 — while the current Government of Prime Minister Charlot Salwai holds on to power, despite constant threats of votes of no confidence.

He survived another of those late last week, by reshuffling his cabinet.

Meanwhile, among those political parties vying to get into the new parliament, is one that's barring men from holding positions within its management team.

The Leleon Vanua Democratic Party is hoping to have at least half a dozen women run as candidates.

One of those already has a high profile in Vanuatu: Hilda Lini was the first female to be elected to parliament in the country, back in 1987.

But since she first entered politics, very few other women have followed her — there are currently no female MPs in the 52-seat parliament.

Andrina Thomas is the party's Secretary General, and she says they hope to have more success next year by taking control of the party's management.

“They saw that the political parties controlled by men, were just using women as mere decorations and paying lip service to gender equality,” she told Pacific Beat.

“So a lot of those women who contested under political parties controlled by men, because they had several other men who were there as well, plus the women. So she didn't have a chance at all.

“The women realised after 39 years, only five women had gone into parliament, and it was important that we had our system of putting women into parliament, that's when the mothers said, we have to create our own political party where we control the political party,” she said.

B/VILLE - REFERENDUM: POST COURIER                                Wed 19 Jun 2019

PNG government dedicated to Bougainville Affairs: Sir Puka

BUKA, 19 JUNE 2019 (POST COURIER) ---Veteran politician Sir Puka Temu wasted no time since his appointment as Minister for Bougainville Affairs, visiting the people and government of Bougainville over the weekend.

Sir Puka, who is the Abau MP in the National Parliament, was part of the Bougainville Referendum roadshow organised by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

The four-term MP traveled to Arawa after arriving at Aropa on Friday and traveled to Torokina and Wakunai before heading back to Port Moresby this week.

He was accompanied by ABG Minister for Peace Agreement Implementation Albert Punghau, National Coordination Office of Bougainville Affairs director John Anuma, strategic adviser to the Minister for Bougainville Affairs James Tanis and UN political officer Rui Flores.

During his visit Sir Puka reiterated the importance and commitment of the government of Papua New Guinea to the people of Bougainville through the implementation of the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA), stating both governments, PNG and ABG, leadership is were working together in this roadshow to confirm to the people of their joint commitment to end the conflict once and for all through the democratic process that is the conduct of a free, fair and trouble-free referendum vote on October 12.

On Saturday, Sir Puka became the first State minister to visit the people of Torokina.

Sir Puka during his visit to the districts assured the people of Bougainville of the continuous support from the National Government under the leadership of new Prime Minister James Marape.

“Our new Prime Minister James Marape is fully aware and supports the effort of the peace process and the conduct of referendum later this year.

And that commitment and support from the national government and Prime Minister Marape could be seen from the payment of the K20 million earmarked for the Bougainville Referendum Commission to kick-off the preparation of the conduct of referendum,” Sir Puka said, adding that the two governments are working as a team to carry out joint awareness programs so that the people can get the right and uniformed information on the preparation that is taking place.

Sir Puka praised Bougainvilleans for their effort in maintaining peace and harmony and respect for the Bougainville Peace Agreement, which he described as one of the best kept peace agreements.

He also paid tribute to the ex-combatants, veterans and people of Bougainville for maintaining the three pillars of the BPA, which are good governance, weapons disposal and referendum.

He added that referendum must now take place to complete the peace agreement with a new agreement after the conduct of the Bougainville Referendum....PACNEWS

COOKS - MOVIE: COOK ISLANDS NEWS                                  Wed 19 Jun 2019

Legal challenge against Cook Islands Censor

RAROTONGA,19 JUNE 2019 (COOK ISLANDS NEWS)---There is fast- growing concern about Cook Islands moves to ban the movie Rocketman on moral grounds.

A prominent lawyer intends to take a court challenge against the censor’s impending ban of a movie blockbuster about the life of Elton John.

Hundreds of people have already protested online, after Cook Islands News reported this weekend that chief censor Dennis Tangirere intended to ban Rocketman. And one gay community member on the island, Roger Dunfee, is mobilising his friends in California and around the world to overturn the ban.

Te Tiare Association president Regina Potini issued a pointed reminder that the Cook Islands Constitution provides for freedom of speech and expression. “A prohibition of this film/work of art will impinge on this fundamental right guaranteed under the Cook Islands Constitution.”

Lawyer Heinz Matysik announced he would challenge the ban, if it proceeded. “If the chief censor wants to roll this way, I will bring a full legal challenge and test the boundaries of our Constitution. I am serious.”

Members of Te Tiare Assocation and the LGBTQ community have spoken out to express their concern, but also with confidence that the sentiments behind the ban are not representative of wider Cook Islands opinion.

Others, though, have taken to social media in grief or anger.

“Today I question my patriotic pride,” writes Teherenui Koteka. “The fact I belong to a community who in this day and age so out rightly marginalises the LGBTQ community, a community I am proud to be a part of, further illustrates why our country continuously fails to move forward in the modern day world stage.”

“This honestly makes me sad,” says Ally Donnerly. “If my country can't accept a movie then how can they accept me?”

And Brenda says “As a trans woman from Mangaia with a great career in aviation, I find it sad that we are not an evolving nation. More worried about your image in the Pacific than your people.”

The film, a biography of English pop singer Elton John containing intimate gay scenes, had been showing at Empire Cinema for around seven days, but is believed to have been pulled from screening last Friday.

Tangirere spoke to Cook Islands News before the film was pulled, saying her was planning to ban Rocketman because it contained scenes of homosexuality.

The conservative Islamic nation of Egypt had already banned the film, and Samoa followed suit, saying the film did not “go well with the cultural and Christian beliefs of Samoa”.

News of the Cook Islands ban has made overseas headlines, and momentum against the ban is building rapidly.

“This is the wrong message that the Cook Islands wants to be sending the rest of the world” says Roger Dunfee, who postponed a flight to California to mobilise opposition to the ban.

Dunfee, who watched the movie last week, says the ban could have a “detrimental effect” on Cook Islands tourism. “People are likely to just spend their money travelling somewhere else,” he says.

“There are kids now who see this as a complete disapproval of their lifestyle, of what they want to identify as, of who they really are,” he warns. “I know kids who have committed suicide because of these types of issues,” says Dunfee.

EU - HEALTH: EU                                                                  Wed 19 Jun 2019

EU and World Health Organisation team up to boost access to health services in developing countries

BRUSSELS, 19 JUNE 2019 (EU)---The European Union (EU) will sign a €102 million (US$114 million) contribution agreement with the World Health Organisation (WHO) at the European Development Days in Brussels.

The EU will invest in building health care systems to provide quality services in more than 80 African, Caribbean, Pacific, and Asian countries.

The “Health Systems Strengthening for Universal Health Coverage Partnership Programme” launched today will benefit in a longer term from an EU overall contribution of €118 million (US$20 million) out of a total budget of €123 million (US$137 million). The EU contribution will strengthen the WHO cooperation with governments and country stakeholders to build health care systems that provide quality health services to everyone.

Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica said: “With this contribution of €102 million we want to give a real boost to the ambitious goal of Universal Health Coverage for all by 2030. This initiative confirms the leading role of the European Union in putting these universal principles into practice and strengthening our partnership with the World Health Organisation”.

“WHO has no higher priority than universal health coverage,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General. “It not only improves health, it also helps to reduce poverty, drive inclusive economic growth and advance gender equality. I thank the European Union for its generous financial support for advancing Universal Health Coverage around the world through the EU-WHO UHC Partnership. I look forward to our continued partnership, and to even greater results.”

The EU's today financial contribution will:

*Help the WHO to strengthen national and regional capacities as regards key health system components, as well as governance, strategic planning and policy dialogue in this area;

*Facilitate the access to medicines and health products;

*Improve the health workforce, health financing, information about health and healthy lifestyles, and service delivery.

In addition, this programme will pay particular attention to addressing non-communicable diseases, which constitute an increasing health threat and a major global concern.

The new programme launched today builds upon the existing and highly successful EU flagship programme with the WHO, the ‘UHC Partnership', which had started in 2011 and has since been joined and co-financed by Luxemburg, Ireland, France, Japan, and recently the United Kingdom and South Korea.

VAN - PATROL BOAT: VANUATU DAILY POST                         Wed 19 Jun 2019

Tuvalu’s new patrol boat to arrive in Port Vila today

PORT VILA,19 JUNE 2019 (VANUATU DAILY POST)---The Vanuatu Police Force (VPF) is expected to welcome the arrival of the new Tuvaluan Patrol Boat HMTSS Te Mataili II to RVS Mala Base in Port Vila today.

Te Mataili II is the second of the new Australian built Guardian Class Patrol Boats (GCPBs) and the first GCPB to visit Port Vila.

The vessel has been transiting from the shipbuilding yard in Fremantle, via Darwin and Cairns with Port Vila being the final port of call before arriving in Funafuti.

Over the past couple of months Te Mataili II has been doing sea trials and Australian assisted training for the crew to ensure the vessel is ready for their official welcome by the Tuvaluan Government on June 24,2019.

The new GCPBs are replacing the existing fleet of Pacific Patrol Boats (PPBs), which are approaching the end of their service lives.

21 replacement vessels will be gifted to the nations participating in the Australian sponsored Pacific Maritime Security Programme.

Vanuatu will receive a new GCPB in mid-2021 which will replace the RVS Tukoro, a vessel that has provided valuable service to the nation as a key capability of VPF since 1987.

The GCPB is more capable than the existing PPBs and will build on the success of the current Pacific Patrol Boat Program to assist Tuvalu, and all Pacific Island partners including Vanuatu, to protect their maritime resources and security interests throughout their extensive exclusive economic zones.

One member of the Vanuatu Police Maritime Wing, Corporal Ezra Tomatvativolivol, was fortunate enough to spend four weeks onboard Te Mataili II which included the transit from Cairns to Port Vila.

CPL Tomatvativolivol was very impressed with the GCPB capability and his understanding of the new vessel will be invaluable as the VPF transition to their new patrol boat over the coming years. Te Mataili II will remain at Mala Base to conduct a logistics visit whilst also allowing the crew to explore the sights of Port Vila until this Friday..

AUST - PALADIN SAGA: FINANCIAL REVIEW                           Wed 19 Jun 2019

Former Australian immigration official now working for Paladin

CANBERRA, 19 JUNE 2019 (FINANCIAL REVIEW) ---A former immigration official who helped run the federal government's offshore detention program has emerged as a director of security firm Paladin, which was awarded a $423 million (US$290 million) contract on Manus Island in a closed tender process.

Paladin said Dermot Casey, a former assistant secretary of detention services in the Immigration Department, joined the company's board in May this year.

The announcement of Casey's appointment comes ahead of Paladin seeking an extension to its refugee service contract on Manus, amid renewed pressure on the government over the deal from Labor and Papua New Guinea.

Company filings lodged in Singapore show he and former Defence Department official David Saul were appointed last month.

A spokesperson for Home Affairs noted this timing and said Casey left the department in 2013.

The unveiling of Paladin's new board coincides with the once secretive company's upgrading of its website and regular posting about its work in the community and attendance at industry events.

Paladin was awarded a contract in September 2017 to provide security, IT, site management and transport services for refugee accommodation on Manus Island.

This was extended and its current contract expires at the end of this month. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton indicated it would be extended again despite two investigations into how the contract was awarded and whether it provides value for money for taxpayers.

The Australian Financial Review revealed on Tuesday that consulting firm KPMG advised the department Paladin posed a "moderate-to-high" financial risk before the contract was awarded.

The report contradicts assurances given by Home Affairs officials at Senate estimates in February that KPMG did not raise any "significant issues" over the appointment of Paladin.

The shadow minister for foreign affairs, Penny Wong, seized on the KPMG report, accusing Home Affairs of misleading the Senate and demanding an explanation from Dutton about his involvement.

“Dutton is very good at blustering. He’s very good at covering up his incompetence with arrogance and bluster but he should stand up today and give a full explanation of his handling of this contract,” she said.

“You’re the minister [Dutton] and the buck stops with you.”
Wong said Dutton needed to explain why Home Affairs ignored the advice of KPMG, which was acting as the department's financial adviser.

“It’s not like this is a new issue. This has been pursued for months,” she said.

Dutton's plan to extend Paladin's $20.9 million (US$14.3 million)-a-month contract is being challenged by the new government in Port Moresby, which is demanding greater local involvement in the deal.

This potentially sets up a fresh clash between Canberra and PNG at a time when Australia is seeking to upgrade relations with its Pacific Islands neighbour.

PNG's requirement for greater local participation could see the contract opened up to a broader tender process, even if Paladin is extended in the short term.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne made a surprise visit to Port Moresby on Tuesday, although new Prime Minister James Marape is visiting Singapore, so it is unclear if the two will meet.

In a statement in response to questions on the KPMG report, Paladin said it was "unable to speak to specifics around our Manus Island contract due to the terms of our agreement with the Australian government".

Casey and Saul join key executives Craig Thrupp and Ian Stewart on the board of the Singapore company, Paladin Holdings PTE, which has the contract with Home Affairs.

Stewart resigned from Paladin's Australian-registered company in February and its PNG-based entity, Paladin Solutions, last November.

Saul has been appointed Paladin's chief executive. His appointment follows Thrupp being denied entry to PNG and being removed from the Manus Island contract after Paladin failed to comply with a direction from Home Affairs.
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FIJI - AIRLINE: FIJI AIRWAYS                                                Wed 19 Jun 2019

Fiji Airways awarded coveted skytrax 4- star ratings

NADI, 19 JUNE 2019 (FIJI AIRWAYS)--- Fiji’s National Airline, Fiji Airways has been awarded the coveted Skytrax 4-Star rating at the 2019 Skytrax World Airline Awards in Paris, joining a select group of elite airlines in this prestigious category.

At the same Skytrax World Airline Awards in Paris, Fiji Airways also leapfrogged from 4th to 1st place to take up “Best Airline Staff in Australia Pacific”, signaling the airline’s continued commitment to world class service and customer experience. Fiji Airways beat out Qantas, Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia in this category to claim the top award.

The Skytrax World Airline Awards are one of the most sought after quality accolades for airlines. Skytrax benchmarks traveller opinion and carries out quality evaluations around a number of key categories and principles for airlines around the world. Skytrax Ratings are recognised as a global benchmark for airlines. A 4-Star Rating is a mark of distinction that recognises excellent standards, showcasing an airline’s unwavering commitment to provide high quality product and service values both onboard and on the ground. Fiji

Airways joins airlines such as Emirates, British Airways, Etihad, Air New Zealand and Qantas as a 4-Star airline.

“Best Airline Staff in Australia Pacific” recognises the combined airline staff service for both on-board and ground staff, in the Australia Pacific region through passenger feedback and Skytrax evaluation.

Andre Viljoen, Fiji Airways Managing Director and CEO, believes the 4-Star rating and award is a testament to the airline’s hard work over the past four years, and the excellent customer experience the Fiji Airways’ staff deliver in the air and on the ground.

“We are extremely proud to have been awarded a Skytrax 4-Star rating and the Best Airline Staff in Australia Pacific. The Skytrax Awards are highly prestigious and we are thrilled to be recognised with a 4-Star rating, a goal we set out to achieve in 2015. It has been a four-year improvement journey to raise us to a 4-Star airline status, after massive investments in customer experience, improvement in our product, and enhancing our service culture and standards through the UP! Your Service education programme.”

“The Best Airline Staff Award is a highly contested accolade, which our staff and crew are humbled to have received. Fiji is famous for its world class hospitality and that underpins everything we do. Our commitment to be the best representatives of our beautiful home have borne fruitful rewards for us,” Viljoen said.

The 4-Star Rating and Best Airline Staff Award cap off a great first half of 2019 for the airline, having recently announced more investments with two new additions to its widebody fleet, the Airbus A350 XWB. The new aircraft are the latest step in the airline’s continued focus of offering a world class flying experience for travellers. Fiji Airways was also the launch airline to join the oneworld alliance as a oneworld connect partner.


SAMOA - AGRICULTURE: SAMOA GOVT                                   Wed 19 Jun 2019

Samoa Agribusiness Support Project on the move

APIA, 19 JUNE 2019 (SAMOA GOVT)--- As the local executing agency, the Ministry of Finance, is taking the lead to ensure that financing for potential benefactors of the Samoa Agri-Business Support Project, (SASP) is maximised.

To that effect, MOF’s Chief Executive Officer Leasiosiofa'asisina Oscar Malielegaoi has briefed the Cabinet Development Committee, (CDC) of a request now with the Projects’ financers to amend the cash collateral component of the grants to ensure that more investors can meet the requirements.

The Project, explained Leasiosiofa’asisina is an investment by Government to revitalise the agriculture sector.

“The investment is supported through a grant of USD$5 million that the Government received from the Asian Development Bank complemented by AUD$1 million (US$688,000) grant from the Government of Australia,” explained the Finance CEO.

The assistance is to address several weaknesses and bottlenecks that contribute to the low investment and value addition to the agriculture sector. Such weaknesses range from;

The objective of the project is to achieve growth of selected commercial agribusiness and for the agriculture sector to regain its important contribution to the economy of Samoa.

It aims to address key financial and capacity limitations in selected agribusiness that have sound prospects for commercial success and will continue to improve forward linkages within the agricultural value chain, higher objectives of value addition, employment, trade and rural incomes.

Since the last progress report was tabled before the CDC meeting, 5 new agribusinesses stakeholders are receiving assistance from in a number of investments which includes;

•Cocoa (exported cocoa beans for chocolate production
•Coconuts (exported mature coconuts and virgin coconut oil)
•Root Crops (exported taro and local chips production)
•Beef & Meet Processing
•Artesian Water Bottling
•Healthy and Nutritious Drink
•Mixed Green Hydroponics
•Large Scale Vegetable Farms

To date $2 million tala (US$754,000) in loans from the $6.1 million tala (US$2.3 million) in total funding available under the SASP have been disbursed to the recipients with the grand funding to end in January 2021.

“The SABS project has contributed to increased sales turnover of supported businesses as well as creation of new employment opportunities,” reported a Financial Sector Specialist who reviewed the SASP in March 2019.

“The supported agribusinesses valued the project’s assistance in accessing finance by preparing by preparing business plans, providing cash collateral support and supplementing equity contributions demanded by commercial banks.”

And to that effect, the ADM Mission reviews has observed that the project has achieved positive results.

The review also recommends for the SABS Project to increase its cash collateral coverage from 50% to 80%.

“This review realised that the current 50% collateral support is inadequate as it will leave a collateral gap for the agribusinesses to fulfil.”

In its recommendations tabled and approved by the CDC, the Finance Ministry noted that with the SASP in place, “it enables the potential agribusiness enterprises to grow within their field and seek export opportunities in the near future.”

“In collaboration with the other projects carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, (MAF) investment to small farmers in the rural area where supply chain of raw produce is now enactive through formal contractual schemes,” the MOF report continued.

“This is another milestone for the project as these subsistence farmers are now encouraged in the commercial market as well as placing people out of the unemployment arena.”

The 7-year project will conclude in 2021.

PNG - LNG: POST COURIER                                                   Wed 19 Jun 2019

Papua LNG deal binding: Haiveta

PORT MORESBY, 19 JUNE 2019 (POST COURIER) ---Gulf Governor Chris Haiveta says the Papua LNG agreement is legally binding but Gulf Province is awaiting the State to sign an MOU (memorandum of understanding) for benefit sharing to all parties.

“We have an outstanding MOU to be concluded with the national government and that’s where our focus is. On bigger things, the agreement is entirely up to the national government, but we are in the process that we have to undertake.

“We are in the gas agreement. We are involved in it, we are part of it, but the benefits over and above what’s in the Act which is in the MOU which we are negotiating with the national government is still not signed, so for my province that is my priority.

“There is nothing wrong with it (the gas agreement). Agreements are agreements but you have to implement it and that’s where we failed, we always failed to implement the agreements.”

Haiveta said this in light of the new Prime Minister James Marape’s call for a review of the Papua LNG Agreement signed between the State and Total of France before the change of government.

Former petroleum minister Fabian Pok has also defended the signing of the Papua LNG deal when handing over to new Minister Kerenga Kua, that the agreement signed recently will see the country reap more rewards than what the PNG LNG project in the highlands had offered.

He said there has been a lot of criticisms about the Papua LNG deal but he is convinced that it is in the best interest of the people including landowners, the provincial governments and the country.

“There is nothing sinister about it” Pok said.
He said it is a commercial agreement that the Gulf provincial government and landowners will benefit a lot from.

Former treasurer Charles Abel also spoke highly of the new Papua gas deal saying it is one of the “best for the people” after learning from the past mistake of the PNG LNG agreement.

“The issue now is which agreement is the best, the PNG LNG agreement or the Papua LNG deal,” said a close industry source.


  Over a million children in PNG to be vaccinated against measles- rubella and polio

LAE, 19 JUNE 2019 (WHO/POST COURIER) ---Herman Luk, a two-year old boy from Finschaffen District of Morobe Province was vaccinated against measles, rubella and polio in the most unconventional way.

The new Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape personally administered the oral polio vaccine, and hugged him afterwards at the vaccination post in Angau Hospital in Lae on 14 June 2019.

“If you think your child is important, then bring your child (under 5 years old) to be vaccinated”, Prime Minister Marape highlighted in his message to the parents. “We must make Papua New Guinea polio-free again.”

Herman is just one of the more than 1 million children under five years old in Papua New Guinea who are targeted in the ongoing nationwide free vaccination campaign against three dangerous diseases: measles, rubella and polio.

The 3-week campaign that started on 11 June 2019 is led by the National Department of Health, with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF and other partners.

The integrated measles-rubella and polio campaign implemented in the country follows a series of polio vaccination campaigns in Papua New Guinea after a confirmation of a polio outbreak in June 2018.

To date, the country has conducted seven rounds of polio campaigns, including three sub-national vaccinations (July 2018, August 2018, December 2018) and four nationwide campaigns (October 2018, November 2018, March 2019 and April 2019).

More than 3.3 million children under 15 years old have received multiple doses of the polio vaccines in the last 10 months.

“We have made great progress, but the war against polio is not yet over — we need to continue to work together to make sure every child is fully vaccinated, said Dr Luo Dapeng, WHO Representative in Papua New Guinea.

“The bigger threat to our children is measles, a disease of public health concern because of its highly infectious nature and capacity to cause serious illness and even death, especially in populations with low vaccination coverage, endemic malnutrition and limited healthcare capacity such as Papua New Guinea. We must reduce the imminent risk of a large-scale measles outbreak and prevent another possible emergency”, he added.

The risk of measles, rubella and polio to children of PNG Measles is one of the world’s most contagious diseases, with the potential to be extremely severe.

In 2017, measles caused close to 110 000 deaths all over the world, mostly children under the age of 5 years. The number of measles cases have continued to climb into 2019.

Preliminary global data shows that reported cases rose by 300 percent in the first three months of 2019, compared to the same period in 2018.

Outbreaks have also been reported in many countries.

In Papua New Guinea, a measles outbreak was reported in 2014/2015 with over 70,000 suspected cases and over 2,000 confirmed cases.

Out of these, 362 deaths were reported.

More recently in 2017 and 2018, more cases were reported.

Measles poses a serious risk to Papua New Guinea due to a large and growing proportion of the population that is susceptible to measles.

Outbreaks can happen when many children remain without vaccination – such as the underlying cause of the polio outbreak the country is experiencing.

Measles is a highly infectious disease that can spread quickly among young children.

Any person, young or old, who has not been immunized, can be easily infected by measles.

It is caused by a virus spread by coughing, sneezing, close personal contact or direct contact with infected nasal or throat secretions.

Measles kills more children than any other vaccine-preventable disease.

Rubella, although it looks mild, has severe consequences.

A pregnant woman that becomes infected with this disease during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy has a high chance of passing the virus to her unborn child.

The baby will then have a 90 per cent chance of having congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) at birth.

A baby born with CRS may have multiple defects including heart disorders, blindness, deafness or brain damage.

Polio is an infectious disease transmitted from an infected person through water or food that has been contaminated with faecal materials.

It is a highly dangerous disease that permanently paralyses or kills. It has no cure, but it can be prevented through vaccination.

More than 12,000 workers and multiple partners mobilized to support the nationwide campaign The measles-rubella and polio campaign is implemented from 11-30 June 2019 in all health facilities and various vaccination posts in Papua New Guinea.

More than 12,000 health workers have been trained and are mobilised to support the campaign.

Children 6 months to 5 years are to be injected with measles- rubella vaccine, while children 05 years will be given oral polio vaccine (OPV) regardless of previous vaccination status.

This exercise further demonstrates Papua New Guinea’s commitment to improve health and wellbeing of its children by protecting them against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Funding for the campaign is provided by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gavi, Rotary International, and the Governments of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of Korea, United Kingdom and the United States of America.

“I am optimistic that if we work together, we will be able to support the Government in reaching every child with life-saving vaccines in every part of the country”, reiterates Dr Dapeng. “We thank the partners in supporting this massive endeavour to protect children from measles, rubella and polio. Your investment in the health of the children of Papua New Guinea is an investment to their future.”

Hate speech ‘on notice’ as UN chief launches new plan to ‘identify, prevent and confront’ growing scourge

NEW YORK, 19 JUNE 2019 (UN NEWS CENTRE) ---United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has declared war on hate speech, telling Member States on Tuesday, that we all need to “do better at looking out for each other”.

“Hate speech may have gained a foothold, but it is now on notice”, Guterres said, launching the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech. “We will never stop confronting it”.

While the strategy and action plan are new, it is also rooted in the need to respect the human rights of all, barring any discrimination.

The UN Charter was drafted after the world had witnessed genocide on an industrial scale, when hate speech against Jews, culminated in the Holocaust. Almost 75 years on, Guterres reminded delegates gathered at UN Headquarters in New York, that “we are in danger of forgetting this lesson”.

“Around the world, we see a groundswell of xenophobia, racism and intolerance, violent misogyny, anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim hatred” he stated, noting that in some places, Christian communities were also being systematically attacked.

Moreover, “hateful and destructive views” are amplified “exponentially” through digital technology and extremists are gathering online, radicalising new recruits, according to the UN chief.

“In both liberal democracies and authoritarian regimes, some political leaders are bringing the hate-fuelled ideas and language of these groups into the mainstream, normalising them, coarsening the public discourse and weakening the social fabric”, he spelled out.

Hate speech not only attacks human rights norms and principles, it also undermines social cohesion, erodes shared values and lays the foundation for violence – setting back the cause of peace, stability, sustainable development and the fulfilment of human rights for all.

Guterres dubbed hate speech a “precursor” to the genocide in Rwanda, Bosnia, Cambodia and recent mass-violence directed at places of worship, in Sri Lanka, New Zealand and the United States.

Keep hate speech from escalating

The UN Strategy and Plan of Action provides a system-wide programme with the overriding objective of identifying, preventing and confronting hate speech, the Secretary-General said.

It targets “the root causes of hate speech, in line with my prevention vision”, he said, pointing out that these include tackling violence, marginalisation, discrimination, and poverty, as well as bolstering weak state institutions.

While many of these are being addressed in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the new strategy goes further by recommending a coordinated response, such as identifying users of hate speech.

Secondly, the strategy aims to enable the UN to respond to “the impact of hate speech on societies”, Guterres explained, including by bringing individuals and groups together who have opposing views; working with traditional and social media platforms; and developing communications guidance.

While digital technology has provided new areas for hate speech to thrive, the UN chief maintained that “it can also help to monitor activity, target our response and build support for counter-narratives”, such as in proposals made last week by his High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation.

“Addressing hate speech should never be confused with suppressing freedom of expression”, he asserted, but instead keep it from “escalating into something more dangerous, particularly incitement to discrimination, hostility and violence”.

The Secretary-General urged everyone to treat hate speech “like any other malicious act: by condemning it unconditionally; refusing to amplify it; countering it with the truth; and encouraging the perpetrators to change their behavior”.

Counter-narratives to ‘answer’ hate speech - Dieng

“Hate speech is a challenge from which no country is immune”, said Adama Dieng, Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide at the launch.

He elaborated that in line with the UN’s longstanding commitment to the protection, promotion and implementation of all international human rights standards, “the strategy and the plan of action never calls for restrictions of freedom of expression and opinion while addressing hate speech”.

By contrast, “it adopts a holistic approach that aims at tackling the whole life cycle of hate speech, from its roots causes to its impact on societies”, he continued.

Furthermore,Dieng said that the strategy considers “alternative, positive and counter-narratives” to be the “answer to hate speech”.

“We have no doubt” he emphasised that by implementing the strategy, we will “enhance the system-wide capacity to address hate speech” .

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Soloveni Vitoso
Public Relations & Communication Officer

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