Surangel Whipps Jr in Rarotonga.
Photo: RNZ Pacific / Lydia Lewis
Palau
President Surangel Whipps Jr is one of the co-chairs for this week’s inaugural Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo.
He is serving as co-chair in his role as chair of the Alliance of Small Island States.
Meeting outcomes are expected to contribute to international negotiations on biodiversity, climate change and ocean governance, including COP31.
The Island Times reported the summit, which starts 3 June, is hosted by The Nippon Foundation in partnership with Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.
Tuvalu
A new programme is aiming to strengthen the quality of learning in Tuvalu by upskilling teachers.
Unicef said many teachers, especially in the outer islands, do not have formal training.
National data shows that fewer than half of primary school teachers, and only a quarter of secondary school teachers, hold formal teaching qualifications.
The US$2.5 million programme – supported by Unicef, The University of the South Pacific, and Global Partnership for Education – is set to benefit around 970 children.
Recent education reforms now require all teachers to have at least a Bachelor of Education.
The investment will run until the end of 2029, and support almost 30 per cent of primary teachers across Tuvalu and reach all untrained teachers as the foundational modules are rolled out nationwide.
Papua New Guinea
A Papua New Guinea MP has warned the country cannot be complacent about transnational crime.
Gary Juffa, the member for Oro province, told MPs law and order is the fundamental problem holding PNG back.
He highlighted the growing threat of trans-national crime, particularly the drug trade that has surged through the Pacific region.
Juffa said it may surprise people to know how established the problem is in PNG.
He said proceeds of transnational crime are often channelled into legitimate businesses.
Northern Mariana Islands
A meal distribution program is ending in the Northern Marianas, after nearly a month of helping children following Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
It was set up while schools were closed – providing breakfast and lunch to students with valid IDs.
The CNMI Public School System’s Child Nutrition Program said it will now distribute non-perishable food alongside the Food Stamp Program.
The school system organisation said the Summer Food Program will begin on 8 June, with details on eligibility and locations to be announced soon.
Micronesia
For people from the Marshall Islands, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia, the US government has granted a five-year exemption to a new federal rule, allowing citizens living in the US to continue to be eligible for commercial driver’s licenses.
The Marshall Islands Journal reported the decision came after coordinated advocacy by the Presidents of the three freely associated states.
Earlier this year, Pacific leaders warned the new rule could threaten the jobs of hundreds working in the transport sector.
