September 2011 Development stories
Pacific Islands Forum 2011, 6th - 9th September 2011
The 40th Anniversary of the Pacific Islands Forum, held in Auckland from 6-9 September attracted high profile visitors and significant participation from the private sector in side events. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, alongside the Forum Secretariat, played a lead role in organising this year’s event, which was voted a success by participants and observers alike.
Developing and protecting marine resources
New Zealand supports Pacific-wide initiatives to make the most of the economic potential of fisheries in the region, while strengthening and coordinating sustainable management of marine resources.
New Zealand, Australia work together to improve Pacific education
At the Pacific Islands Forum New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard have reaffirmed their commitment to improving education in the Pacific by extending funding for language and literacy education across the region.
Tonga and New Zealand to construct solar power plant
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Murray McCully announced at the Forum that New Zealand will invest $7.9 million to fund the construction of a 1 Mega Watt photovoltaic solar plant in Tonga.
Pacific cruise industry set to develop
A public-private partnership between the New Zealand Government and cruise operator Carnival Australia will help further open up the burgeoning cruise industry to the Pacific, Prime Minister John Key has announced.
New Zealand boosts support for Pacific-wide maritime safety
During the 42nd Pacific Islands Forum, Prime Minister John Key announced New Zealand will support country-specific initiatives to strengthen maritime safety in the Pacific as part an on-going, region-wide effort.
New Zealand to work with Pacific countries on disaster management
Pacific countries vulnerable to violent natural disasters are set to benefit from enhanced tsunami risk management system.
Aid to Solomon Islands to support sustainable economic development
In the sidelines of the 42nd Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Minister Murray McCully and Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Peter Shanel Agovaka signed a Joint Commitment for Development which sets out New Zealand support for sustainable economic development in the Solomon Islands.
Pilot language programme for senior officials wraps up
On 24 August, Cecile Hillyer, Director of Global Bilateral Division for the New Zealand Aid Programme, and Steve Dowall, Deputy Director (Asia), farewelled 14 senior government officials from Cambodia, Lao PDR and Viet Nam who had been in New Zealand to take part in the pilot English Language Training for Senior Officials programme (ELTSO).
New Zealand doubles funding for Horn of Africa crisis
Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced New Zealand will donate NZ$3 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in response to an urgent international request for increased humanitarian assistance in Africa.
NGO workshops update
Ministry staff met with members of the New Zealand development non-government organisation (NGO) community in Wellington and Auckland on 30 August and 1 September respectively.
Two years on: the Pacific tsunami
29 September (30 September New Zealand time) marks the second anniversary of the Pacific Tsunami which claimed more than 150 lives when it stuck Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga’s Niuatoputapu in 2009.
