Solomon Islands

On Monday 16 October 2017 the Council adopted the EU Annual Report on Human Rights And Democracy in the World in 2016.

2016 was a challenging year for human rights and democracy, with a shrinking space for civil society and complex humanitarian and political crises emerging. In this context, the European Union showed leadership and remained strongly committed to promote and protect human rights and democracy across the world.

Rural communities in the Pacific that rely on fishing for subsistence and income face serious risks due to the degradation of coastal ecosystems, overharvesting, and climate change.

The ongoing degradation of coastal ecosystems, overharvesting of valuable species, and climate change (including more extreme weather events, rising sea levels, increasing sea surface temperatures, and ocean acidification) are lowering the production of fish, which is the Pacific region’s primary source of protein.

Introduction

This document provides an overview of responses to the Global Shelter Cluster (GSC) online survey, conducted in preparation for the annual GSC Meeting. Findings are based on a total of 106 responses, as of 26 September 2017.

Participant profile

What is the Pacific Humanitarian Team?

The Pacific Humanitarian Team (PHT) is a network of humanitarian organizations that work together to assist the Pacific Island countries in preparing for and responding to disasters.

Five island countries in the Asia-Pacific region are teaming up with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to boost their resilience to weather events.

WMO is working with the governments and civil society partners in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste and Vanuatu to develop a potential Green Climate Fund (GCF) project that aims to markedly improve the countries’ Early Warning Systems (EWSs).

This final report provides an overview of the operation which concluded on 31 May 2017. An allocation of CHF 161,163 was made from the IFRC Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 9 December 2016 of which CHF 141,516 was utilized. The balance of CHF 19,647 will be returned to the DREF. On behalf of the Solomon Islands Red Cross Society, the IFRC would like to thank the Canadian Red Cross/Canadian government for the generous contribution to the replenishment of this disaster relief emergency fund (DREF).

A. Situation analysis

UNDP highlights success stories in gender-responsive climate resilience

Women will play an essential role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, protecting our planet’s natural resources, and building a climate-resilient future for generations to come, according to case studies and analysis presented in a new Gender Impact website from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Introduction: Message from the Director General

I am pleased to introduce the Annual Report for 2016 and Director General’s Overview of Progress since the 27th SPREP Meeting held in Niue in September, 2016. It has been another successful year of implementation and results in support of Pacific island countries and territories.

SPREP Strategic Plan 2017–2026

AG/11951

Assemblée générale Plénière
Soixante-douzième session, 15e à 18e séances plénières, Matin, après-midi & soir

L’action commune est le moyen le plus efficace de réaliser un développement et d’atteindre une paix qui bénéficient à tous, ont reconnu la quarantaine de dirigeants qui sont intervenus lors de cette quatrième journée du débat annuel de l’Assemblée générale. À un moment de l’histoire jugé décisif, le débat a revêtu un caractère souvent sombre en mettant l’accent sur les changements climatiques, les inégalités et le terrorisme.

GA/11951

General Assembly Plenary
Seventy-second Session, 15th to 18th Meetings (AM, PM & Night)

The interdependence of States and the benefits of joint action must be recognized and reaffirmed, the General Assembly heard today, as speakers debated the value of multilateralism in addressing pressing global challenges, ranging from inequality to climate change.

SG/SM/18718-ENV/DEV/1812

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks, as prepared for delivery, at a meeting with Pacific Island Forum leaders, in New York today:

Thank you very much, Prime Minister Tuilaepa, for convening this annual meeting and for your leadership as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum. I thank Dame Meg Taylor, Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum, for her contribution to creating a strong partnership between our two organizations. And I thank you all for making such long journeys to be here at the United Nations.

While currently known as a relatively stable part of the world, the Pacific is no stranger to the devastating impacts of conflict. In recent decades both the Solomon Islands and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville have experienced internal strife, while communities in the PNG Highlands continue to deal with the humanitarian consequences of inter-tribal violence.

These conflicts illustrate the necessity for all countries in all regions – whether at peace or war – to know and support the humanitarian laws designed to put limits on warfare.

The following syndromes have been flagged:

Updates

Mumps:

The following syndromes have been flagged:

• Acute Fever and Rash: Federated States of Micronesia

Other updates

Malaria vector:

• New Caledonia health officials have identified the presence of the type of mosquito that can transmit malaria. It is not known when and how the Anopheles mosquitoes entered New Caledonia but they are now established in the area of La Tontouta, north of Noumea. Source: Personal communication with New Caledonia health official and media.

Delegates from six Pacific countries have reviewed their use of data after disasters at a meeting in Fiji.

Read more on Radio New Zealand International.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Suva, Fiji – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with support from the Government of India, through the newly established India-UN Development Partnership Fund, have launched the Climate Early Warning Systems in Pacific Island Countries Project. The project aims to enhance the adaptive ability of the Governments of the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands and the Kingdom Tonga.

The following syndromes have been flagged:

• Acute Fever and Rash: Fiji, French Polynesia, Niue

There are no updates this week.

Executive Summary

The Pacific region is known to be one of the most exposed to natural hazards and climate change in the world. Pacific Island Countries (PICs) are exposed to a wide variety of natural hazards, including cyclones, droughts, earthquakes, electrical storms, extreme winds, floods, landslides, storm surges, tsunami and volcanic eruptions. Some of these hazards will be exacerbated by climate change.

The following syndromes have been flagged:

• Acute Fever and Rash: French Polynesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands

Other updates

Dengue

• American Samoa: As of 17 August 2017, there have been 182 confirmed cases, dengue serotype-2 is in circulation. Source: American Samoa Department of Health