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Pacific News Briefs

Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has been appointed Special Ambassador of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism 2017.  [photo: courtesy]
compiled by Samoa News staff

U.S. MOVE ON CLIMATE CHANGE DISAPPOINTING

Deputy Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has expressed deep disappointment in United States President, Donald Trump’s announcement that his country would withdraw from the Paris Climate Change Accord.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer as the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, is also not surprised that American Samoa’s Congresswoman, Aumua Amata, has backed Trump’s position.

“Aumua Amata is a Republican Congress Woman albeit from an Island Territory,” Fiame said. “So I am not surprised by her position.”

As a leading figure in a country that strongly advocates for the need to address climate change, Fiame believes America should reconsider its position.

 “All I can say is to echo the disappointment from world leaders including those from Samoa and the Pacific at the U.S.A’s about face under the new administration,” she said. 

Fiame also had a message for all the 174 countries who signed the Paris Agreement. 

“The important thing is for all the countries who signed the Paris Agreement to move forward on our global response to Climate Change. Hopefully the U.S.A can resolve the issue internally and realign with the rest of the world.” 

Fiame’s comments were in response to questions from the Samoa Observer.

(Source: Samoa Observer)

SAMOA PM APPOINTED SPECIAL AMBASSADOR

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has appointed the Prime Minister of Samoa, Hon. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, as Special Ambassador of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism 2017.

 The ceremony took place in New York on June 7th, on the sidelines of the UN Ocean Conference, where among other activities the Prime Minister addressed participants on the value of tourism to sustainably advance the blue economy. 

“The designation of 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development was due to the recognition by the United Nations of the potential of the tourism sector to contribute to the fight against poverty, to help curb climate change, promote gender equality and foster mutual understanding and peace amongst diverse cultures” said the Prime Minister.

The Ocean Conference was an opportunity to highlight how tourism can effectively contribute to Goal 14. UNWTO joined the World Bank and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) to discuss and launch the report ‘The Potential of the Blue Economy: Increasing Long-term Benefits of the Sustainable Use of Marine Resources for Small Island Developing States and Coastal Least Developed Countries’.

(Source: The Ocean Conference media release)

PACER-PLUS TRADE DEAL SIGNED IN TONGA

A region-wide free trade agreement has been signed in Tonga, with some notable absences. The deal, known as PACER-Plus, has been hailed by proponents as a new kind of agreement that links development to trade to boost island economies.

Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, Niue, Nauru, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Cook Islands were at the signing ceremony in Nuku'alofa.

The near decade of negotiations for PACER-Plus has been polarising, with three of the region's main economies - Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu - refusing to join.

Critics say it threatens the interests and economies of island countries and was unbalanced towards the interests of Australia and New Zealand.

New Zealand's Prime Minister, Bill English, who is currently visiting the Cook Islands, said the three countries' refusal to sign was disappointing.

"It's a bit unclear to us exactly what their objections are because it's an agreement which gives a very long period of time in which to adjust trading regimes and quite a lot of assistance building the infrastructure that helps with the trade," he said.

"You've just got to give people time with these things," Mr. English said, adding he hopes the countries would eventually join the agreement.

The Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands and Palau were absent from the ceremony, apparently because of transportation issues.

(Source: RNZI)

PARAMOUNT TITLE MALIETOA IN SAMOA FINALLY DECIDED

The three branches of Sa Malietoa in Samoa have reached an agreement on who should hold the paramount title, unanimously deciding to bestow it on Faamausili Moli, a son of the late Head of State and title holder, Malietoa Tanumafili II.

A family member says Faamausili was officially declared the next Malietoa in an 'ava ceremony held at Sapapalii village on Savaii Island on Tuesday, but the day for the traditional royal ceremony for the bestowal is yet to be finalized.

There has been ten years of debate over who should assume the Malietoa title following the death of Malietoa Tanumafili II.

The three family branches Malietoa Talavou, Malietoa Natuitasina and Malietoa Moli, became involved in a legal battle after Faamausili Moli was initially given the title in 2007 as he lacked full backing.

This week's decision includes a compromise, that after Faamausili Moli's reign, the title will be bestowed within the Malietoa Natuitasina branch and then go to Malietoa Talavou.

This compromise is to be registered by the heirs in the Lands and Titles court to ensure there are no future legal disputes.

(Source: RNZI)

SAMOAN DANCER FINDS HER ROOTS THROUGH LOSS

When her mum died five years ago, Ufitia Sagapolutele turned to one of her passions - dance.

The 23-year-old lives in Papakura, South Auckland and has been performing since she was a child, influenced by her creative older brothers, Stuff New Zealand reported this week.

She was part of dance crew Sorority, led by choreographer Parris Goebel, and won a silver medal at the world hip hop championships in Las Vegas in 2012.

Since then she's been reconnecting with her Samoan roots, combining cultural dance with hip hop and contemporary styles.

Sagapolutele has a creative arts degree and is studying for a Masters in Dance, with a goal to get her PhD next year.

She's presenting a piece, Ave, in the Pacific Dance Festival in June at the Mangere Arts Centre.

The festival had its debut last year, providing Pacific choreographers an opportunity to perform original dance works.

"I wanted to reach out more to my culture. I was born and grew up in New Zealand but wasn't really surrounded by Samoan culture.

"It wasn't until my mum passed away that I thought of this as a way to connect more with her."

(Source: Stuff NZ)