Vanuatu

The 14th Pacific Regional Meeting of the African Caribbean and Pacific Group's Joint Parliamentary Assembly with the European Union has begun in Vanuatu's capital.

Opening the meeting, Vanuatu's new president Tallis Obed Moses called for stronger relations between the ACP group and the EU.

He said the Pacific's partnership with the EU was crucial, but that member governments should identify ways to ensure the partnership served the needs of the people.

Local media report a mini-van, a utility van and a car collided at an intersection yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon.

Four of the seasonal workers are being treated for minor injuries and shock.

The workers were returning home from work when the accident occurred.

It’s understood the van carrying the workers tried to overtake another vehicle and collided with two other vehicles.

Yesterday’s accident in New Zealand comes less than a month after a head-on collision claimed the lives of three Ni-Vanuatu seasonal workers in Queensland.

Vanuatu President, Pastor Tallis Obed Moses officially opened the meeting at the Convention Centre yesterday.

The delegates were accorded a welcome ceremony by a group of people of the island of Futuna in front of the Convention Centre before the registration.

They were welcomed by the speaker of National Parliament of Vanuatu, Esmon Sae.

The official opening by the Pastor Obed took place after the separate meeting between EU and ACP countries.

West Papua is not member of ACP but member countries said that West Papua is member of Pacific countries.

Member of Parliament of Santo constituency, Marco Mahe said that the ACP countries have endorsed the issue of violation of human rights in West Papua during their separate meeting before the official opening of regional meeting of the joint ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly.

Mr Mahe said the issue of human rights violation in West Papua cannot be tolerated.

The arrangement has been sealed with the signing of an agreement between the Van2017 Organizing Committee and the association in port Vila yesterday.

The association will provide 50 buses owned by local citizens.

“Transport is number two top priority in Games service delivery, after the Games Village, said Clint Flood, Chief Executive Officer of the organising committee.

Director of agriculture, Antoine Ravo told about 40 investors from New Caledonia of a number of projects underway in the department.

One of the initiatives is the setting up of the Vanuatu Farmers Associations (VFA) to facilitate and assist farmers to access market information, provide logistical support, coordinate farmer activities in order to improve, strengthen and sustain the supply side and also to provide support to farmers’ organisations to increase production.

Ravo said seed and machinery centres for mass production of agriculture have been established.

The match will be the third Test between the Melanesian neighbours in what is turning into a fierce on-field rivalry.

The Solomon Islands will be looking for their first victory after Vanuatu scored two late come from behind victories in their 2013 encounter in Mackay (Australia) and most recent 24-15 defeat in Port Vila (Vanuatu) in 2016.

The government has teamed up with ANZ to deliver a course to youth leaders from across the country, with the aim of creating a group of accredited community trainers.

Regina Peter from the Vanuatu National Youth Council says they want to empower young people to make wise financial decisions, but for those living outside the capital, getting access to a bank can be hard.

Peter told Pacific Beat that young people want to save but it is hard for them to get to banks because of transportation problems in rural communities.

“The Pacific Mini Games will be taking place here in Port Vila, and as you know this capital city is governed by Port Vila Municipality which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. And it is a privilege for this city, which will be the face of this country. In fact, Port Vila is welcoming people from all over the world, Port Vila is hosting them, and Port Vila is farewelling them as well.

The meeting allows those engaged in health work across the region to come together and share their experiences and skills.

Apisai Tokon is the national reproductive health coordinator for Vanuatu's Ministry of Health.

She says the conference also includes a number of workshops that attendees can take part in.

She told Pacific Beat the discussions will focus on services and what each country in the region faces.

Tokon says there will also be discussions around family planning in-line with the Sustainable Development Goals.