Fiji

Effective management of this revenue will be critical to ensure that long term benefits are realised.

Through the European Union Deep Sea Minerals Project, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) is partnering with the International Monetary Fund and the Pacific Financial Technical Assistance Centre to hold a workshop in Nadi this week (24-27 August) that focuses on the management of revenue emanating from deep sea minerals development.

The Vanuatu Daily Post reports Mr Lonsdale made the comments as he welcomed Fiji's newly appointed High Commissioner to Vanuatu, Esala Teleni.

He says Vanuatu has been very vocal on such sensitive issues, and it hoped that overtime, there would be a joining of hands to address what he described as the inhumane treatment received by the Melanesians in West Papua.

Mr Lonsdale says it is a challenge for the Pacific, especially Melanesians, to stand united with the Melanesians of Indonesia's Papua region.

The meetings are being held at the Tanoa International Hotel, Nadi, Fiji. 

Senior officials and representatives from Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu will be in attendance as part of talks towards a new and more comprehensive trade agreement - MSGTA3 – that will now include Trade in Services, and new chapters such as Labour Mobility, Investment, and Telecommunications. 

MSG Leaders have directed that a draft legal text of the trade agreement must be ready by November 2015.

The meetings include: 

Eight teams will be participating in the tournament — Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Botswana, Fiji, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Suriname and Vanuatu.

The 14 man Digicel Vanuatu Squad is as follows:

1. Andrew Mansale (Captain)

2. Jonathon Dunn

3. Jelany Chilia

4. Trevor Langa

5. Patrick Matautaava

6. Nalin Nipiko

7. Simpson Hopeman Obed

8. Joshua Rasu

9. Apolinaire Liplip Stephen

10. Kenny Tari

11. Niko Unavalu

12. Ronald Tari

13. Wolford Kalworai

14. Callum Blake

Cook Islands won the biennial event two years ago but will not defend their title, choosing to focus their limited resources on November's Olympic Sevens Qualifier.

Newcomers American Samoa open proceedings against Solomon Islands at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, followed by hosts Papua New Guinea against Tahiti, in the first round of matches.

The General Manager of Rugby PNG, Frank Genia, says pride and silverware aren't the only things on up for grabs.

“A woman who sells fish by the road side in Tarawa pays AUD$5 (US$3) a day to the Bairiki Town Council,” says Mereia Volavola, CEO of PIPSO.

“In a year she is charged AU$2, 000 (US$1,467).

“Similarly in Fiji, a woman who sells her garden produce by the road side in Suva pays a business licence of FJ$2000 (US$1,000) in one year to the Suva City Council. Yet an accounting agency is charged just about FJ$00 (US$250).

The 35 observers were divided into two groups with one group doing sea time at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) and the other group undertaking the Pacific Islands Regional Fisheries Observer Syllabus Programme.

A statement from government said each group did five weeks of intensive training before going for the second part which will take another five weeks.

Deputy Director Offshore, Edward Honiwala who officially opened the second part of the programme said the observers will spend another five weeks before completing the programme.

After losing their first two matches, the Pearls have recorded back to back wins against Zambia and Sri Lanka.

Fiji have already come up against teams from the UK, Africa and Asia and goal-shoot Taraima Mitchell is expecting another challenge against their Caribbean opponents.

Fiji will firstly host Tonga on 19 August at Govind Park in Ba, before playing American Samoa at Prince Charles Park in Nadi on 27 August.

The two visitors will compete when Oceania FIFA World Cup qualifying commences on 31 August in Tonga. One spot will be up for grabs in Stage 2 over the course of the five-day tournament, which also features Cook Islands and Samoa.

Fiji coach Carlos Buzzetti has named a strong 23-man squad for the matches including Wellington Phoenix striker Roy Krishna, powerful attacker Osea Vakatalesau and U-20 captain Jale Dreloa.

ANZ CEO Pacific and Fiji, Vishnu Mohan, officially announced the five-year renewal of ANZ Stadium’s naming rights at the stadium today with the Chairman of the Fiji Sports Council, Peter Mazey and CEO of the Fiji Sports Council Litiana Loabuka.

“Fiji has a long and distinguished sporting history and we all know how important sport is to all Fijians and Pacific Islanders. This was clearly evident with some amazing results recorded at last month’s 2015 Pacific Games,” Mohan said.