Commonwealth

This followed the pre-qualification GAPS camp completed last week in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

This will see Elie joining Team Vanuatu at the Commonwealth Games in England from 28 July to 08 August this year.

“We are just delighted that Elie has been selected on merit – not just as a Wild Card. The Vanuatu Paralympic Committee really aims at sending competitive athletes, not tourists, to international competitions representing Vanuatu,” said President of the Vanuatu Paralympic Committee Margret Macfarlane.

In the statement on behalf of the 54 Commonwealth member countries, they expressed deep concern over the stark gaps in access and delivery of doses, especially in poor countries, and called for “fair and transparent” pricing for the vaccine.

Only 0.3 per cent of the life-saving vaccine doses have been administered in 29 poor countries. About 84 per cent of shots have been given in high and upper-middle-income countries.

The Blue Charter maps out efforts to protect oceans and marine environments throughout the Commonwealth, from threats such as climate change, pollution and over fishing.

Vanuatu and Fiji have been nominated by the United Kingdom as countries to champion the Blue Charter's cause in their region.

Representatives of the two Pacific countries spoke about the Charter at a press conference on the sidelines of this week's Commonwealth summit in London.

The Blue Charter maps out efforts to protect oceans and marine environments from threats such as climate change, pollution and over fishing

Vanuatu and Fiji have been nominated by the United Kingdom as countries to champion the Blue Charter's cause in their region.

Representatives of the two Pacific countries spoke about the Charter at a press conference on the sidelines of this week's Commonwealth summit in London.

This is a country with a population of 265,000 spread across more than 60 islands, some of which are a thousand kilometres apart.

The Vanuatu Electoral Office, which has a permanent staff of just seven, is today preparing for provincial polls next month. What makes this year's election different is that the commission has been aided by Michael Clancy, an electoral expert deployed by the Commonwealth Secretariat.

The British Army has welcomed soldiers from Commonwealth countries for many years; however, under previous rules, people could only join if they had lived in the UK for five years.

Commonwealth nationals will now be able to apply for positions including Medical Technician, Logistic Supply Specialist, Chef, Vehicle Mechanic, Metalsmith and Gunner Logistics Specialist.

Commonwealth youth ministers are meeting in Samoa next week to discuss the issues and challenges facing the region's youth.

The programme manager Sushil Ram says at 60 percent, the Pacific has the highest youth population of any commonwealth region and engaging young people in development is simply common sense.