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PNG, Nauru refugee camps both seeing protests

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, March 29, 2013) – Australian immigration officials have confirmed that a number of asylum seekers at the Australian-run detention camp on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea have been on hunger strikes this month.

Eight asylum seekers went on a five-day hunger strike in protest at charges of fighting and assault levelled at them by PNG police, following a series of alleged incidents at the temporary facility on Lombrum Naval base.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship said on Thursday that one person is still believed to be still refusing to eat.

The hunger strikers are part of a group of 18 detainees that PNG police had charged in February with fighting and assault following a series of disputes at the camp.

Manus provincial police commander Alex Ndrassal says the hunger strike ended after police went to the camp and explained to the...

Initiative looks to develop ‘model’ for transition to clean energy

APIA, Samoa (Samoa Observer, March 31, 2013) – Samoa and the Clinton Foundation’s Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to allow them to work towards replacing diesel with clean energy in Samoa.

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi and the Chairman of the CCI’s Clean Energy Initiative, Ira C. Magaziner, signed the memorandum during the Pacific Energy Summit in Auckland, New Zealand.

The agreement highlights Samoa’s commitment to develop a clean energy future that will decrease reliance on imported fossil fuel and reduce the cost of electricity for households and businesses.

It also demonstrates the country’s willingness to play a leading role in efforts to combat climate change.

CCI sees significant value in establishing a working model for island nations to transition...

$533 million for clean energy projects announced at Auckland Summit

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, March 29, 2013) – Pacific islands seem more optimistic about energy security after obtaining more funding and investment at this week’s summit in Auckland.

The New Zealand government and the European Union initiated the meeting to try and boost investment in renewable energy generation.

A total of 533 million US dollars was secured at the summit for clean energy projects in the Pacific.

Donors committed 212 million US dollars in aid and 317 million in concessional loans to support more than 40 of the 79 clean energy proposals put to them.

New Zealand foreign affairs minister, Murray McCully, says clean and efficient modern energy services are the cornerstone of sustainable development, economic activity and poverty reduction.

Committing more than 50 million US dollar, more in aid towards energy in the region, he says...

Solomon Islands MPs’ Public Spending To Be Closely Scrutinized Watchdog group concerned about increase in development funds

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, March 29, 2013) – A coalition is to be formed to ensure Solomon Islands MPs are held to account over how they spend their constituency development funds.

New legislation is expected to give the MPs a 12 fold increase in the discretionary funds, which are often referred to as slush funds.

A petition to Parliament this week calling for a deferral as the legislation was being debated, failed, but Transparency Solomon Islands says it and other groups will continue their watch dog role.

Its spokesperson, Daniel Fenua, says they are concerned the MPs will not spend the money wisely.

He says communities will be asked to monitor their MPs and report questionable spending.

And he says TSI will work with others who want greater accountability and transparency.

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