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Gov’t strives to fulfill multilateral global process on climate at COP23

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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PS for Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Meteorology Dr Melchior Mataki speaking during a high level meeting at COP23.

BY JARED KOLI

IN BONN, GERMANY

THE Solomon Islands government delegation is undertaking four key tasks for multilateral global process on climate change at the 23rd Conference of Parties (COP23) in Bonn, Germany.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) Dr Melchior Mataki informed the local media covering the conference that these tasks needs to be sorted out to address the key issues that are needed in the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

The first is the importance of the 1.5 degrees partway.

“It has been a long standing issue that Solomon Islands and other vulnerable countries are fighting for, and wanted to having it fulfil in the main negotiations at COP23. Even in the work programmes of subsidiary bodies.

“Essentially, it’s about the main streaming of the 1.5 degrees to drive global ambition to address climate change,” he said.

The other is the government wants to see a clear articulation of the work programme for the implementation of the Parish Agreement. That is one of the most important issue for the people of Solomon Islands.

“If we do not sort these out, then work on this should be pending and will not address the key issues that are needed in the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

“Thirdly, we want to see the main streaming of Loss and Damage. It is one of the important issue for us because I think a number of different factors are there, including a very low ambition we have, especially on emitters.”

Dr Melchior said Loss and Damage is a reality for us in the Solomon Islands.

“For example, some of our islands have already face huge difficulties, in terms of loss of land and damage to properties as a result of extreme weather such as cyclones, and it is hard for us to regain this. There is no way of compensating it as well. Now it will be discussed. We would like to see these two subsidiary bodies to take some decisions of Loss and Damage on their discussion and work programme,” he said.

The adaptation fund which is the third priority task, is very important funding mechanism, according to the Environment Permanent Secretary.

“Our intention here is to really see the decisions comes – where the adaptation fund can really be made a mechanism for the implementation of the Paris Agreement – to also have the same status of the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

These four key tasks for multilateral global process to align to the overall work that parties to the Paris Agreement are going through.

Negotiations at COP23 should be reached by the end of this week.

Pacific delegates demand changes to GCF

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By PRIESTLEY HABRU

In Bonn, Germany

PACIFIC Islands delegates to the Bonn Climate Change Summit has demanded simplified accessibility and approval to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) – one of the key multiple funds under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a new global fund created to support the efforts of developing countries to respond to the challenge of climate change

Climate Change Adviser of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (OIF) Mr Exley Taloiburi said he and his Pacific colleagues wanted Small Islands Developing Countries like Pacific islands countries to access GEF easily.

“The GEF is primarily the biggest fund for climate change with USD10.3 million and seven countries in the Pacific have applied for it namely: Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tuvalu, Nauru and Solomon Islands.

“What we are asking for here in Bonn in the negotiations this week is for accessibility and approval of the fund to be simplified.

“Secondly it should be based on vulnerability of a country to climate change instead of the economic status of that country.”

Mr Taloiburi explained that the GCF requirement has always been that the applying country must have a middle –income status.

He added Pacific delegates are also pushing for the time period between approval and disbursement of the fund to be shortened.

“For instance the Tino Hydro National Project in Solomon Islands which have successful secured USD86 million under GEF have been granted approval of the fund in May this year, but it has not yet received the money.

“Fiji and Tuvalu has also received approval to be granted the fund, but have to wait for a year or even more before the money was actually wired to the recipients. This affects estimate budget and planning of the recipient country,” he added.

The Solomon Islands lead climate finance negotiator said commitments by developed countries for long-term finance toward climate change was also uncertain.

“This commitment is that by 2020, they will mobilise USD100 billion per year to assist developing countries address adverse effects of climate change. The issue was USA President Donald Trump’s threats to withdraw his support of the Paris Agreement.

“USA is a key financier of climate change projects but if President Trump was true to his words, then this long-term finance commitment would end.”

Taloiburi said USA has committed USD3 billion to the cause and the Obama’s administration has already given USD1 billion to the climate change funding initiative.

“We are hoping President Trump would pay the outstanding USD2 billion. Otherwise we have to be prepared for the uncertain future,” he added.

He said there might a shortfall for Pacific Islands’ countries if USA pulls the plug on this long-term financing commitment.

“Who is willing to support this initiative? This is the question we asked the developing countries during these negotiations.

Taloiburi said the developed countries have an obligation under the Paris Agreement to provide finance for vulnerable countries most of whom are members of the Small Islands Developing (SID) and Least Developing Countries (LDCs).

Despite threats by USA to ignore the Paris Agreement, he noted that bilaterally most Pacific Islands countries including Solomon Islands are still benefiting from USAID who continues to provide funding for climate change projects in the region.

SI pushes for Adaptation Fund beyond 2020

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Moortaza Jiwanji, Programme Manager Pacific Risk Resilience Programme UNDP Fiji and Exley Taloiburi, Climate Change Finance Adviser, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

By PRIESTLEY HABRU

In Bonn, Germany

 

SOLOMON Islands and other Pacific Islands are pushing for climate change Adaptation Fund to continue when the Kyoto Protocol lapses in 2020.

This is one of the main items Pacific Islands’ delegates are negotiating at the Conference of the Parties (COP23) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) currently underway in Bonn, Germany.

“Solomon Islands and other Pacific Islands countries are negotiating for the Adaptation Fund under continue when it the Kyoto Protocol lapses and the Paris Agreement supersedes it in 2020,” said Mr Exley Taloiburi, who is the Climate Change Finance Adviser for the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS).

He explained that the Pacific Islands delegates wanted to change specific word like ‘shall’ instead of ‘should’ in the clauses of the Paris Agreement.

“In order to allow the continuity of the climate adaptation fund to address our climate change challenges,” Taloiburi said.

He noted that climate change adaptation is Pacific Islands’ priority issue and not reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or mitigation.

“The Pacific Islands countries put together only emits 0.03 percent of GHG so it’s not an issue for us.

“The global finance allocation is such that only 8 percent goes to adaptation whilst 92 percent to mitigation. So there is a huge mismatch and that is why we demanded that the adaptation fund to continue post 2020 when it will come into force.

“We see this fund as the only dedicated fund to support concrete adaptation projects under UNFCCC,” Taloiburi said.

Solomon Islands which have benefited from this fund under the Strogem Waka Lo Community Fo Kaikai (SWoCK) which aimed at Enhancing Resilience of Communities in Solomon Islands to the Adverse Effects of Climate Change in Agriculture and Food Security.

The five year project which began in April 2011 was allocated US$5,533,500 that to strengthen ability of communities in Solomon Islands to make informed decision and manage likely climate change driven pressures on food production and management systems

Meanwhile, Taloiburi said apart from Solomon Islands; Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands and Samoa have also benefited from this international fund that finances projects and programs aimed at helping developing countries to adapt to the harmful effects of climate change.

Negotiations at the COP23 will end today before heads of government that are parties to the UNFCCC adopt the outcome of this annual climate change summit at the end of the week.

Poland is set to host COP24 in 2018.

Honiara has a new ambulance in service

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Dear Editor,

MR. Douglas Kelson, the Chairman of the local branch of St John Ambulance service, has told me a new ambulance has been introduced in partnership with the Ministry of Health to undertake ambulance services in Honiara and Guadalcanal.

 The ambulance, a Mercedes make, is said to be fully operational with a full range of life support equipment, including a ventilator, oxygen and entox for pain relief.  The vehicle has been fitted to meet international standards.

 In recent days the ambulance has called at all the local clinics in Honiara a part of an initial awareness program.

 Those operating the ambulance have all been fully trained in their duties as paramedics.

 I expect there might be some in the community, especially those living in the more remote parts of Guadalcanal that are not familiar with the word ‘Ambulance’ and what such a vehicle is used for and its function.

 Well, the history of the ambulance goes back a very long time in history.  It began with simply carts, usually wooden ones, used to transport sick patients to hospital.  Over centuries and with advances in technology the wooden cart has been transformed into ambulances such as the one I have mentioned now in operational service with St John’s Ambulance.  Its purpose though remains the same, to convey those that are sick, especially the infirm, to hospital.

 The St John’s Ambulance Service provides what is known as paramedic services, the new terminology for first aid and the ambulance currently in service is used to transport patients, usually in an emergency to the nearest point of care, a clinic or a hospital depending much on the condition of the patient when put into the ambulance.

 Mr. Kelson, the former ambulance commissioner in Papua New Guinea for 8 years is currently working to avail the public of the ambulance service now in operation and detailing how a call for use of the ambulance should be made.

 Accompanying this brief introduction to the ambulance is a set of photographs taken recently when the ambulance team made visits to local medical clinics.

 It was just a short time ago I wrote to mention that the NRH’s own ambulance had been off the road for several months awaiting repair, but I am pleased that now, at least, there is one emergency ambulance available.

 Because of the large population residing in Honiara and in Guadalcanal several more ambulances are needed to meet the growing need of being able to speedily respond to emergencies and to convey injured patients and those seriously ill to hospital.

 I once again appeal to the traditional supporters of medical services in the Solomon Islands, the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Government of Japan, the European Union and the Government of Australia to give consideration to donating more ambulances for use by the NRH and by St John’s Ambulance Service.

 Yours sincerely

 Frank Short

New Solomon Islands Prime Minister announces his priorities

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Dear Editor

RADIO New Zealand International today, 15 November 2017, focused on the new Solomon Islands Prime Minister.  This is a précis of the RNZI news bulletin.

“The new Solomon Islands prime minister Rick Hou says one of his new government’s priorities is to restore basic services to rural areas.

“The former Central Bank governor was today elected by parliament 33 votes to 16 over the other candidate, Central Honiara MP John Moffat Fugui.

“Speaking to the parliament, Mr Hou said he would continue with the policies of the government of Manasseh Sogavare, who was ousted in a vote of no-confidence last week.

“One of our immediate tasks is to identify clinics around the country that have been forced to close down, with the view to reopening them. It goes without saying that it is the responsibility of the government to provide basic health services and indeed all other basic services to its citizens, especially in the rural areas.”

“Rick Hou said another important objective of his new government was to stabilise the country’s “ailing fiscal situation”.

“It is my government’s priority to immediately address the cash flow situation. My government will ensure there is fiscal displine across all government sectors and to assist line ministries to execute their respective budgets more efficiently, effectively and responsibly.”

“The Small Malaita MP said he recognised the public demand for advancement of the anti-corruption bill that the Sogavare government recently tabled.

“Corruption has caused inefficiencies in operations, it has undermined public trust in government, and it has exhausted public resources and money as well as causing injustice through advantaging a few at the expense of many,” said Mr Hou.

“It has robbed vital resources from our schools and hospitals. I assure this nation that my administration will deliver this important legislation and we are committed in ensuring its implementation before the end of the 10th Parliament.”

“He called on all Solomon Islanders to “embrace peace and National unity.”

I welcome the new Prime Minister’s statement on the need to identify all the medical clinics around the country that have been closed with a view to having them re-opened and to restore basic health services.

I hope, too, it will become a priority of PM Hou’s incoming government to see to the proper funding of the MOHMS and the NRH.

I also welcome PM Hou’s comments on corruption and for the advancement of the anti-corruption bill.

As a former Governor of the Central Bank in the Solomon Islands, the PM is well placed to tackle the ailing fiscal situation in the country and to foster good relations with the Asia .Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank and the United Nations Agencies with existing links to the Solomon Islands.

 

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Know your new Prime Minister

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Solomon Islands’ newly elected Prime Minister and MP for Small Malaita, Hon Rick Houenipwela. Photo by George Herming

By Alfred Sasako

FORMER Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands, Rick Houenipwela, was yesterday voted in as the nation’s 17th Prime Minister in a race which kept pundits guessing until the result was announced.

His election was greeted with mixed reactions by businesses and others.

One offshore businessman said Mr Houenipwela is a World Bank boy and unless he is careful, he could ruin the nation’s economy in the same way former New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key, had done to the New Zealand economy.

The 59-year-old Houenipwela who represents Small Malaita in Parliament since 2010 polled 33 in the vote yesterday morning.

His only opponent, Central Honiara MP, Hon Dr John Moffat Fugui polled 16.

There was one spoilt vote, according to Parliament.

The wives of both men are said to be related.

There were predictions prior to the result being announced that support for Mr Houenipwela could be as high as 36 MPs.

“In fact, the government side should have had 34 votes but one MP put a tick outside the box provided in the secret ballot paper.

It was decided that one vote was considered spoilt,” Clerk to Parliament, Clezy Rore told Island Sun after the result was declared.

The Prime Minister elect who has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting was due to be sworn yesterday afternoon.

He also has in his quiver a Diploma of Commerce as well as a Graduate Diploma in Development Administration.

Mr Houenipwela has a colourful background, having successfully contested the Small Malaita seat in 2010.

He took up the Ministry of Finance and Treasury on November 21, 2011, a portfolio he held until September 8, 2014.

Prior to that, he held the Public Service portfolio from April 18, 2011 to November 10 of the same year.

The former Governor of the Central Bank also held Parliamentary Committee Appointments as a Member of the Public Accounts Committee from September 10, 2010 to April 18, 2011.

He was also a Member of the Bills and Legislation Committee between September 2010 and April 2011.

Prime Minister Houenipwela hails from Riverside Village of Small Malaita.

He is a strong adherent of the South Sea Evangelical Church (SSEC).

Prior to entering Parliament in 2010, Houenipwela was a Senior Advisor, Executive Director of the World Bank based in Washington DC.

Interestingly, there was no mention of his engagement as former Governor of the CBSI, a position held twice prior to joining the World Bank in early 2010.

COP23 drafts a strategy with WHO to protect health in small islands developing states

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR Editor,

“Radio New Zealand International (RNZI) this evening, 13 November 2017, released a news bulletin which said (quote).

“The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN Climate Change secretariat have drafted a strategy at the COP23 meeting in Bonn, Germany in partnership with Fiji who proposed the plan.

“Fiji’s Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, is the COP23 president, and said Fijians were well aware climate change posed a serious threat to health.

“He said the plan would equip Small Island Developing States (SIDS) with knowledge, resources and technology to increase the resilience of their healthcare.

“The plan aims to climate-proof health systems, collect evidence for investment and triple international financial support.

“Currently, less than 1.5 per cent of international finance for climate change adaptation is allocated to health projects.

“The WHO said people living in SIDS were on the frontline of extreme weather events, rising sea levels and increased risk of infectious diseases.

“It said larger nations must to do everything they could to help SIDS prepare for the future that is already washing up on their shores.”

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Hou voted in as Solomon Islands’ new Prime Minister

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Acting Governor General Hon Ajilon Nasiu announces Hon Rick Hou as the new Prime Minister of Solomon Islands after the election this morning at the national parliament house in Honiara.

HONOURABLE Rick Hou was voted in as the new Prime Minister-elect during this morning’s election at the National Parliament House in Honiara.

The Member of Parliament for Small Malaita polled in a total of 33 votes ahead of rival and Member of Parliament for Central Honiara Hon John Moffat Fugui who collected 16 votes.

The election was presided over by the Acting Governor General and Speaker to National Parliament, Hon Ajilon nasiu.

During the voting process, one ballot was spoilt and could not be counted.

Delivering his maiden speech upon the announcement of his victory by Hon. Nasiu, Hon Hou said his immediate task is to try and address the challenging road ahead.

“…the road ahead is challenging, I am fully aware of the enormity of the task before us. I am also conscious of the limited time we have on hand. Indeed there are questions as to what my Government plans to achieve in this very short time.

“My good people, I can assure you that my new administration will quickly put in place a strategy that entails a set of priorities that are deemed achievable in the short period.

“The strategy is to continue with the projects and programs of the previous DCCG with increase level of policy implementation aimed to stabilize the fiscal situation, strengthen budget implementation and ensure we achieve tangible results in the short term,” Hon Hou said.

The new Prime Minister-elect is expected to be sworn-in at the Government House this afternoon to replace caretaker Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare who was ousted in a Motion of No-Confidence last Monday.

Hou is expected to name his new cabinet line-up in the coming days.

Didds makes Solomon Islands proud in USA

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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2017 Fish 2.0 Competition winners

THREE Pacific Island sustainable seafood businesses were among 40 finalist from across the globe that pitched to investors at the Fish 2.0 Innovation Forum at Stanford University, in Palo Alto, CA, USA.

Representing the Pacific Islands were Didds Fishing Company, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu’s Shepherd Islands Organic Seafood and Indigo Seafood Palau.

The room erupted when Toata Molea, Didds Fishing Company was announced as the winner of the Pacific track of the competition. Molea was ecstatic about being named a winner.

“I still can’t believe it, I’m so happy, all the pitches were of such a high standard, I feel very honoured to have won the Pacific Track.

“I want to thank my family and the Didao fishing team and the Pacific team. I’m also thankful to Chad Morris, PTI Australia for initiating and putting together the preparatory workshop to ensure we could make the most of the opportunity and the support and feedback received from, Tony Sullivan, FFA and Jenny Wright, USA State Department and Leigh Moran, Calvert Foundation.

“To pitch in English in front of such an esteemed crowed was daunting, it really helped to have the support of the Pacific team behind me. The entire competition has been an amazing experience, I’ve learnt so much.

“The prize money will enable us to increase our fleet providing more employment opportunities for the Makwanu community.”

Chad Morris, General Manager, Investment and Tourism, Pacific Trade Invest Australia travelled to Palo Alto to support the Pacific finalists and help them prepare their pitches.

“The ocean and fisheries is crucial to the economic livelihood and food security in the Pacific Islands, it’s vital that we continue to develop and promote sustainable fishing enterprises, this is why PTI Australia became a sponsor of Fish 2.0 as it’s a great platform that not only brings Pacific fishing enterprises together but also nurtures and exposes them to an investment market they may otherwise have never encountered.

“There’s some amazing sustainable approaches to fishing that’s being developed in the Pacific, you just need to listen to the pitches from Toata Molea, Didao Fishing Company, Obed Matariki, Shepherd Islands Organic Seafood and James Sanderson, Indigo Seafood to hear how they are making an impact not only in the ocean but also assisting the communities of where they operate.

“Each of the Pacific enterprises did an amazing job pitching, they did the Pacific proud and too see how far they have come both as individuals and clarity in their business from when they started the competition is immense. To have made it to the stage at Stanford University and to pitch to a room full of investors is a huge and they should be proud of this achievement.”

Busufoosae community wants explanation

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

A concerned citizen is calling on the Malaita Provincial government to clear the air regarding the case of two community projects in Busufoosae, Central Kwara’ae.

Speaking on behalf of Busufoosae community, the man who prefers to be anonymous expressed that since the two projects, Busufoosae Primary School staff house and Sakafao Gwaio Siubongi Jacob’s ladder took off in May, they have not been completed.

While mentioning that the two projects were planned to reach final stages in a 3 and 5 months timeframe respectively, he also said that workers’ were not paid on time, the transaction of materials was slow and by August staff house builders had totally stopped working.

The man mentioned that from the above set of events, the community has concluded that the contractor for the two projects was not capable of handling the projects.

In regards to the school staff house project, he said that other schools under the same funding project have already witnessed their official opening and hand over ceremonies in their respective communities.

The concerned man on behalf of the community is strongly calling on the provincial government to give an explanation of why the two projects have ceased to progress and reach the completion phase as expected.

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