Pacific governments

Warning for Pacific governments gambling on deepsea mining

As the pandemic dries up traditional revenue sources, some Pacific Island governments are considering diving into the unknown waters of deepsea mining.

Advocates of mining say the world badly needs the nodules for materials to make batteries that will drive the carbon-free societies of the future, but it's a gamble which Pacific countries are being warned is too risky.

Pacific governments encourage local food production

Samoa's prime minister is urging hotels and restaurants to include local cuisine on their menus.

Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi was speaking at Samoa's annual tourism forum where he lamented the lack of foods like taro and green bananas cooked fa'alifu style with coconut cream.

Tuila'epa told tourism industry stakeholders that local food is another good reason to visit Samoa and other Pacific destinations.

The prime minister spoke of his dismay at not being allowed a local favourite when visiting a hotel on Savai'i.

Marshall Islands President appeals to Pacific governments to grow their economies by empowering women

These were the words of Her excellency, President Dr Hilda Heine, of Republic of Marshall Islands during her keynote at the opening of the 13th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women in Fiji last night.

“We simply cannot afford to leave out, or in some cases exclude, half the population of our economies,” President Heine said.

“It is bad economic policy no matter which way you look at it.”

“The staggering imbalances in our economies between men and women clearly reflects why progressing gender equality has been slow.’

Pacific Governments Curb Spending as Fiscal, Climate Shocks Rise - ADB

The ADB’s latest Pacific Economic Monitor launched on Monday says other countries in the region are benefitting from strong growth in tourism and fishing license revenues.