Regionalism in Retreat
Source: DevPolicy Share Friday, 12 February 2021 10:34 AM
Prophesies of the end of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) as we know it are close to being fulfilled after a virtual and very tense leaders’ meeting last week.
The difficulties of this awkward format, held via Zoom rather than face-to-face for the first time in 50 years, were amplified with threats by the five Micronesian members to quit the regional body if their choice for Secretary General was rejected. Had their candidate been successful, he would have been the first Micronesian to hold the post in more than two decades. Instead the Forum is now close to losing almost a third of its members, subject to a few caveats in the fine print.
Asia and the Pacific: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (2 - 8 February 2021)
Format
MYANMAR
As the political crisis develops in Myanmar, the UN and humanitarian partners are seeking all possible ways to ensure the continuation of humanitarian and COVID-19 related assistance to almost 1 million people affected by conflicts and natural disasters in Myanmar.
Meanwhile the impact of ongoing conflict on civilians has continued. On 5 February, clashes broke out between Kokang Border Guard Force and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army in Lashio and Laukkaing in northern Shan. The fighting reportedly resulted in 9 civilians killed and 8 more injured. Another 4 civilians were reportedly killed and 5 injured due to a landmine explosion in Manton Township in northern Shan on 4 February. In Rakhine, an unexploded ordnance killed a 14-year-old boy and injured two boys in Buthidaung Township, also on 4 February. Humanitarian partners were unable to verify the details of all inci
Luke Nacei
From left: Minister for Employment, Youth and Sports Parveen Kumar. Picture: SOPHIE RALULU
The Ministry of Agriculture is considering the implementation of an intensive response plan to ensure farmers are fully rehabilitated, says Agriculture Minister Dr Mahendra Reddy.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Dr Reddy said Tropical Cyclone Ana had caused further damages, including the greater Viti Levu.
He said considering its impact, the ministry estimated damages of around 10 per cent to vegetable farmers in the lower Sigatoka Valley area and about 60 to 80 per cent for vegetable farmers in Ba and Nadarivatu.
Dr Reddy said root crop farms in the Central Division were also affected by flooding in low lying areas with farmers experiencing more than 80 per cent damage to their crop.
Premila Kumar. Picture: FILE.
Roadside traders in Tavua Town have been warned against selling produce in any area that is outside of the municipal market.
Local Government Minister Premila Kumar said the issue was brought up in a meeting with Tavua market vendors earlier this week.
She said while the market was unaffected by Tropical Cyclone Ana, vendors were concerned about those selling along the town’s streets.
“The market vendors were complaining about these people,” Mrs Kumar said.
“They are losing business when people sit outside supermarkets selling.
“So we assured them that there is space in the market and the enforcement team will ensure that these vendors are given a space at the market.”
The council could not deliberate on the amendment at that meeting, however, as the head of Fiji’s delegation, Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum called for a one-week postponement.
He said Fiji was in a state of emergency due to the then-approaching Tropical Cyclone Ana, and the meeting should be adjourned for a week. In the period between meetings, the government deported Professor Ahluwalia and his wife, Sandra Price.
In so doing, Fiji triggered what President Aingimea had wanted to avoid: the cancellation of the vice-chancellor’s contract the moment the Fijian government revoked his work permit.
In his paper to the USP Council, the Nauru President drew its attention to the urgent need to amend the work contract of the VCP, de-linking the work contract to that of his work permit.