June 24 Pacific News Brief

James Marape visits flood-affected areas in Western Province (file photo).
photo: AFP

Papua New Guinea – Floods

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape visits flood-affected areas in Western Province.

NBC Papua New Guinea He reportedly stopped at Obo Station in Central Fry District before taking a flight to Suki Station in South Fry District.

Awaba station, located in the Delta Air Lines flight zone, was his last stop and he flew back to Port Moresby that day.

At Obo station, Marape said he wanted to see first-hand the devastation caused by the floods and to express his condolences to those who had lost loved ones due to the floods.

(Archive photo)
photo: RNZI / Mark Rabago

Northern Mariana Islands – Travel

The Mariana Islands Visitors Bureau said 2,061 visitors came from China in May, the highest number of visitors from China in a single month since direct flights were suspended during the coronavirus pandemic.

this Pacific Islands Times The report said the expected recovery in the Chinese market was helped by Hong Kong Airlines resuming direct flights from Hong Kong to Saipan in April.

However, Governor Palacios, the Federal Ports Authority and business organizations do not agree on the Chinese tourism market.

While tourism in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands has been slowly recovering post-pandemic, the Visitors Bureau noted an upward trend in May, although numbers are still well below pre-pandemic levels.

Fiji – Climate

Fiji has received about $130,000 in funding for training ahead of COP29 and travel to the venue.

The funding comes from the Climate Ambition Support Coalition Opportunity Fund.

Five Fijian civil servants and five master’s students from the Pacific Theological Seminary’s Climate Indigenous Knowledge Institute (from Pacific countries) will receive training on climate change negotiations.

The ten participants will work closely with their respective governments to enhance their capacity in preparation for COP29, and the funding will also help them travel to COP.

COP29 will be held in Azerbaijan in November.

Tonga – Communications

New Zealand and Australia are funding the laying of a second international submarine communications cable to Tonga.

Australia contributed $19.3 million to the Tonga-Hawaii branch system and New Zealand contributed $12.7 million.

Matangi Tonga The project is reportedly expected to be commissioned by the end of 2025.

Tongan Prime Minister Huakawameliku Shosi-Sauvalenei said the joint project with Australia and New Zealand would provide greater resilience for communications as Tonga would have two cables operational.

Cook Islands – Budget

The Cook Islands has adopted a NZ$328 million budget for 2024/2025.

The budget is themed “resilience” and focuses on key infrastructure investment projects such as roads, as well as Pa Enua projects such as the Manihiki Airport upgrade and water projects in Aitutaki.

The Outer Islands received NZ$13.4 million.

The government also set aside funds for charities and to increase teachers’ salaries, Cook Islands News reported.

Niue – Whales

Niue Island has welcomed the first migrating Oceania humpback whales to land on its shores.

A spokesperson for Niue Tourism said in a news release that the much-anticipated annual arrival of tourists marks an early start to New Zealand’s peak tourist season, which usually runs from July to October.

Humpback whales raise their calves in a sanctuary on Niue, which is a stopover for the whales as they migrate south along the so-called “Humpback Highway.”