39th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Summit

Fakatufono Niue 2008

PRESS STATEMENT: 

Niue Disappointed with the Non-Attendance Of Fiji At The 39^th Forum Leaders Meeting, Niue

 

Niue is disappointed that Fiji will not be attending the 39^th Forum Leaders Meeting.  Much of the preparations for the Niue Forum meeting are well under way and to have a last minute withdrawal was indeed disappointing.  The Premier of Niue, Hon Toke Talagi stated that “he regrets Fiji not coming to the meeting and believes that we must continue to dialogue with the interim administration so that it will agree to hold elections as promised.  This is a last minute withdrawal and the reasons are beyond our control.    We are also aware of some domestic changes that are taking place in Fiji so that may have had a bearing on their withdrawal”.  The Niue Premier further stated that despite the late withdrawal, he looks forward to meeting his Pacific counterparts and have a successful Forum meeting.  The Alofi township is looking very tidy and buzzing with excitement and activity as Niue counts down to the arrival of the Leaders this evening.  “We are looking forward to hosting the Leaders.  There are a number of issues and concerns which we must deal with including climate change, fuel and food price increases, fisheries and transport, alternative energy which will have far greater impact on our peoples.” says Premier Toke Talagi.

 

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FORUM TASK FORCE UPDATE FROM THE DESK OF THE FORUM CO-ORDINATOR

 

Indian Government

The Niue High Commissioner, HE Mrs Sisilia Talagi has the honor to inform the Government early this week that the Government of India has approved funding of US$100,000.00 towards Niue’s Forum preparations.  The Chairman of the Sponsorship Committee, Interim Minister Hon Fisa I Pihigia conveys on behalf of the Forum Task Force, Government and People of Niue our sincere gratitude and thanks to the Government of India on receipt of this much needed funding support.

 

SPC Sponsorship

Recently Carlos Tukutama (Telecom Niue) and Scan Misiepo (Manager, ISO) returned from Melbourne after attending a Village Connections demonstration co-ordinated by SPC as part of the RIC’s project.  Capital for the establishment of the much needed service is AUD$400K of a GSM mobile system.  However, NZ is providing a C-Band VSAT for the use of the media as well as sat phones for each country delegation.  SPC has also kindly donated 8 cable modem routers to assist the VSATs with the provision of internet services for the Forum.  A member of the staff will arrive in early July to assist with the setting up of the VSATs due to arrive on the next boat. MORE>>>

PACIFIC ISLAND FORUM LEADERS ENDORSE THE NIUE DECLARATION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

 

The 39th Pacific Island Forum held in Niue 19 – 20 August has endorsed the first ever climate change declaration for the region

 

The Niue Declaration on Climate Change states:

“We, the Leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum, meeting in Niue:

 

 

DEEPLY CONCERNED by the serious current impacts of and growing threat posed by climate change to the economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being and security of Pacific Island countries; and that current and anticipated changes in the Pacific climate, coupled with the region’s vulnerability, are expected to exacerbate existing challenges and lead to significant impacts on Pacific countries’

environments, their sustainable development and future survival MORE>>>