American Samoa
A new submarine cable between Samoa and American Samoa has been agreed, to further enhance Internet and communications connectivity. The MOU states that the cable will run between Upolu and Tutuila and allow access to the 15,000km Hawaiki cable that connects New Zealand to the west coast of the United States.
Northern Marianas (CNMI)
Visitor arrivals are steadily rising, according to the Marianas Visitors Authority. Although Japanese tourist numbers are low compared to pre-COVID times, statistics show Koreans (52,811) as well as people from Guam (7,461) and the United States (5,949) make up the majority of visitors to the Marianas, as of September FY2022.
Cook Islands
A new direct flight between Rarotonga and Honolulu is expected to commence in May 2023. The flights provided by Hawaiian Airlines will operate on weekends. Cook Islands Tourism Council President Liana Scott says, “the direct flights not only connect Hawaii to the Cook Islands but opens up to several other ports that Hawaiian Airline services.” Over 100,762 arrivals into the nation have been recorded as of October 2022; mostly returning residents and work-permit holders.
Federated States of Micronesia
The Embassy of China to FSM has donated US$190,000 from its discretionary fund for the purpose of constructing a gymnasium on Satawan Atoll in the State of Chuuk. The planned gymnasium is one of several infrastructure projects in the FSM financed by the Chinese Embassy, including Utwe Gymnasium.
Fiji
Fiji’s government has extended the harvesting and trading period for beche-de-mer following requests from coastal communities. Former Minister for Fisheries, Semi Koroilavesau, said the sale of beche-de-mer has enabled FJ$17 million (US$7.67 million) in direct cash transactions to be paid to resource owners to rebuild from the impacts of COVID-19. The harvesting window has been extended to February 2, 2023, while the trade and export period has been extended to April 2.
French Polynesia
Two former government ministers in French Polynesia have formed a new political party ahead of the territory’s 2023 elections. The Ia Ora Te Nuna’a party was launched by Nicole Bouteau and Teva Rohfritsch, who resigned from the ruling Tapura Huiraatira party three months ago. Tahiti-infos reports the new leaders’ party will focus on social justice and sustainable development issues.
Guam
Guam has recorded over 410 COVID-related fatalities as of December 12. According to the nation’s Joint Information Center, the 410th COVID-related death was an 81-year-old woman who was fully vaccinated without a booster shot, had underlying health conditions and tested positive for the virus on August 4. Since January 2020, Guam has recorded 49,235 cases and 368,088 vaccines have been administered, WHO stated.
Kiribati
Air Kiribati Limited received a new DHC–6 Twin Otter aircraft at the Bonriki International Airport on December 12. Minister for Information, Communications and Transport, Tekeeua Tarati, said the purchase of new aircraft is part of the support for reform to the domestic air services of the national airline. Another aircraft is due to arrive next year. The aircraft’s price tag is US$5.2 million, Tarati highlighted.
Marshall Islands
Two naturalised Marshallese citizens pleaded guilty on December 2 to conspiring to violate the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by bribing Marshall Islands government officials. Yan, 51, and Zhou, 35, are charged with three counts each of violating the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and two counts of money laundering. Both are awaiting sentencing and could potentially face 3 to 5 years’ imprisonment.
Nauru
Nauru has been chosen to host the next Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting, which is scheduled for November 2023. Nodel Neneiya, Secretary of the Ministry of Transport of Nauru, says the meeting will mark a “significant step towards aviation growth through regional collaboration and commitment.” Meanwhile, to meet the high tourist demand in the year-end, Nauru Airlines has partnered with Air Vanuatu to counter capacity shortfalls.
Niue
The Niuean government has sought help from the New Zealand Pasifika Medical Association due to increased cases of community transmission of COVID-19. RNZ Pacific says half of the nursing workforce is down, either away sick with the virus or on leave. There have been 209 reported cases since March 2022 and 99.4% of the eligible population have received vaccines. Two medical teams from NZPMA had been scheduled to arrive in the country at the time of printing.
New Caledonia
France Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has ruled out any further voting on another referendum in New Caledonia during the president’s current five-year term. Darmanin ruled out a replacement independence referendum too, saying there would be “no rematch” but agreed that the French constitution gave New Caledonia the right to self-determination. He said it was up to the French state to reach out to those in New Caledonia who have voted against French dependency.
Palau
A former governor of Ngiwal state in Palau was arrested on December 8 after failing to show up to his sentencing hearing on December 1. In October 2022, Ellender Ngirameketii pleaded guilty to two Misconducts in Public Office felony counts, and two misdemeanours on Code of Ethics violations. He has been fined US$30,000 and will be on supervised probation until he pays the full fine.
PNG
The Asian Development Bank has approved a US$250 million loan to help Papua New Guinea’s state-owned enterprises deliver high-quality, affordable services in key sectors such as energy, water supply and aviation. ADB Financial Management Specialist for the Pacific, Matthew Rees says their reform programme has enabled SoEs like Kumul Consolidated Holdings to pay the government a dividend of US$22.9 million this year for the first time since 2015. The PNG Government has also allocated US$56.8 million through the 2023 National Budget to help SoEs deliver reforms including progressing partial privatisation for Telikom, National Development Bank, People’s Micro Bank and Air Niugini.
Samoa
Samoa’s population has increased by 4% in the past six years , to 205,557. According to the Samoa Population Housing Census 2021 report, Upolu island continues to have the largest count of the country’s population with 160,334 people. The average age of the total population was 22 years, reflecting a youthful Samoan population, which indicates “continuous demands for developments catering for the needs of the young population such as education, health, and employment opportunities,” the report stated.
Solomon Islands
Solomon Breweries Limited is the first business to officially announce a SBD$1 million (US$121,000) sponsorship for the Pacific Games 2023. Solbrew Corporate Affairs Manager, Qila Tuhanuku says the sponsorship is “both a duty and honour as a business… to support the hosting of the games.” The sponsorship will be the bronze sponsorship for the Pacific Games Organising Committee.
Tonga
Australia has provided additional budget support of AU$30 million (US$20.12 million) to Tonga in aid of the country’s economic recovery and to “strengthen partnerships”. Tongan Prime Minister, Siaosi Sovaleni Hu’akavameiliku stated the direct funding agreement will be used for efforts concerning COVID-19, the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai disaster and more recent global inflationary pressures.
Tuvalu
Taiwan has donated AU$100,000 (US$67,097) in funds to assist Tuvaluans who have been facing a prolonged drought caused by consecutive La Nina events. The funds were presented by Andrew Lin, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Tuvalu to the Minister of Public Works, Infrastructure and Environment, Ampelosa Tehulu. The funds will be used to procure water tanks.
Vanuatu
The Vanuatu College of Nursing Education has announced its plan to not accept new nurse intakes for the next five years. Currently, VCNE has no proper basis for its legal establishment and operations. “In the next five years, we will be training our nurses abroad. An advantage of this decision is that the 90 or 100 students we are sending abroad will graduate with Bachelors, not diplomas like what VCNE is producing,” said Russel Tamata, Director General of the Ministry of Health.
