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Malaita MPAs threatened in fallout of failed motion

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Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI
AUKI

TWO provincial members of Malaita have reportedly been threatened by men demanding ‘bribe money’ in Auki.
Both are MPAs of Ontong Java, Malaita Outer Island; William Ionga (Pelau, ward 32) and John Kehosi (Luaniua, ward 31).

Speaking to the paper both MPAs said the men went to their homes on Tuesday night and demanded that they return $10,000 bribe money which the men claimed had been paid to the MPAs to vote against Premier Daniel Suidani in Tuesday’s motion of no confidence.

Both MPAs deny vehemently any knowledge of this $10,000 and that any bribery took place.

The MPAs said the incident happened at Fasitoro area and that another Malaita MPA had led the men. It is understood that MPA (name withheld) is a former minister of the MARA government and is now with the non-executives.

The Lord Howe MPAs say the situation that night cooled down after they reported the matter to the premier, who then sent security personnel to their homes.

This incident shows that money was being played during the lobbying period leading up to Tuesday’s assembly.

Kehosi has since called for his residence to be fenced.

Meanwhile, a MPA from the MARA government has told this paper that he had been summoned on Monday night by a non-executive MPA (name withheld) and offered a bribe to vote against Premier Suidani.

The MPA said he refused and never received the money.
It is unclear whether the above matters have been reported to police or not.

GOVERNMENT MOVES TO CENSOR QUARANTINED STUDENTS

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BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

Government is looking to censor quarantined students from social media in an attempt to clamp down on sharing of ‘unauthorised information’.

This move is said to come under the stipulated national government emergency powers to be cautious on cyber social media issues of information.

Speaking during a government press conference yesterday, Chair of Institutional Quarantine Facilities (IQF) Karl Kuper said, “The camp management is being cautioned to mitigate the risks of the virus among the students. We are working together with the protective sector and health to help the students to remain positive and confident for the remainder of their stay.”

Attorney General, John Muria Jnr also cautioned that sharing of information with unauthorised officers in the sites and disseminating it is unlawful according to the rules of the State of Emergency.

“We have reports that certain breach along the way. Occupants are giving information on status if they are interacting, mingling or not only to find out what reported was no true,” the AG stressed.

“Due to contact tracing, interview with other people pick up false news. Disclosing information that is … false causes security issues and those are not taken lightly dealing with.”

He warned that under the Emergency power regulation only officers who are authorised with powers are obliged to give right, true information.

“Now those are for the protection of the person and also the public. For example in this case, the fact that someone said he did not mingle with another person, but later find out that he/she did mingle with someone risk increase, people who come across when contact tracing or those who doing swabbing test may increase the risk numbers. So thus we try to avoid it with the implementation of the regulations,” Muria Jnr said.

He adds that hefty fines are in place under the national security risk laws.

“Now by doing that by not complying with those heavy fines as a national security risk because the person endangered the life of public people especially and yourself,” he said.

“Information is collected and will be passed on to the relevant authorities to take on the next step, which is enforcement of the breaches of regulation.”

Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau also assured that police intelligence department officers are also deployed to the two quarantine sites, Guadalcanal Beach Resort (GBR) and Chengs Building.

“Police are on standby to strengthen emergency regulation issues. Intelligence officers also deployed who are currently managing the security arrangement, providing surveillance, capture what activities going on within sites and regular support as well as.

“Officers will not be returning to their families until they are done with their 14-day deployment, swabbed and tested by health officers if they are clear then report back.”

Mangau said they are working closely with all the agencies involved to avoid the possibility of spreading the virus among the camps.

EXPECT MORE CASES: GOV’T

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Covid-19
Photo: Google

Uncontrollable interaction among students in quarantine foils government’s goal to contain virus spread in centres

Government is forewarning the country to expect more covid-19 cases from our students in quarantine.

This is because the students are breaching quarantine rules, says Dr Jimmie Rodgers, Secretary to the Prime Minister and member of government’s covid-19 oversight committee.

In a media conference yesterday with the oversight committee, Mr Rodgers said this grim outlook is based on a recent assessment carried out at the Chengs quarantine station after the second covid case was detected.

He adds that the risk of the virus spreading within the institutional quarantine facilities (IQF) is high, the assessment indicates.
This revelation indicates that whatever mechanisms government has entrusted to prevent the virus from spreading within the quarantine sites is failing.

However, most importantly, government reassures that the virus will be kept contained behind the walls of quarantine sites, and will not be allowed to enter the community.

Speaking of the students’ blasé behaviour in yesterday’s conference, Rodgers said, “This is because when we put students in quarantine, the understanding is they will be quarantined by staying in their rooms without going out, not mingling around and having their foods and going back into their rooms, but is very difficult, imagining ourselves trying to lock ourselves up, it’s difficult we know that.

“However, students in quarantine centres are not in fact isolating, they are in fact congregating, some of them are going into each other’s rooms, that gives us the sort of sense of concern.

“Basically, this means that we could be looking at expecting some more cases coming from the sites because of that.

“Now we hope we don’t have any which would be very good but, in the event, we have some it’s because of the way which the occupants of the quarantine stations have been mixing,” he said.

Rodgers said the report made some important conclusions; one is the risk of contracting the virus is low for frontline workers because – they are wearing personal protection equipment (PPE), and duration of contact with the students is “not long”.

Second, he says, is that the chance for the virus to spread into the community is low: “because the virus has to be transported from where it is to the public and get into someone in order for it to spread that one, we fairly sure it is not happening.

“However, one conclusion says the risk of spread within the centre can occur and that is our concern at the moment.

“So, in terms of how do we manage that, that would be something the oversight committee would be meeting tomorrow to see how best we can address this issue,” said Rodgers.

He adds that the third covid-19 test for Solomon Islands Philippines students in-country including the two positive is still pending. The third test was carried out after 12 to 14 days.

“We anticipate results maybe from later tonight (last night) because there are many of them. There are more than a hundred tests, some are repeat tests so maybe by tonight (last night) and tomorrow (today) will have some result and we will be able to share,” said Rodgers.

The number of covid-19 cases in the country remains at two.
The students, who were repatriated from the Philippines on September 29, are being quarantined in two sites – GBR and Chengs, both in east Honiara.

Photo: Google Supplied

Tubi thief fined

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    Asian logger breaks environment and foreign investment laws, faces permit cancellation

    BY PRIESTLEY HABRU

    AN Asian logger is facing a fine of up to $100,000 over its illegal harvesting of “Tubi” trees in Isabel Province.

    The Foreign Investment Board (FIB) communicated the fine to Sunrise Investment Limited in a letter it issued to the logging firm early last month.

    FIB said this is for violation of approved condition relating to harvesting of Tubi or Xanthostemon melanoxylon (Myrtaceae), which is endemic to Solomon Islands and only found on the eastern tips of Isabel and Choiseul islands.

    Tubi is a protected tree species under the Solomon Islands Environmental and Wildlife Protection Management Act.

    “That Sunrise Investment Limited violates the Isabel Resource Management and Environmental Protection Ordinance 2005, section 5 (4) by taking a prohibited species of wildlife or forest resources which is prohibited under the wildlife and protection management act,” Registrar of FIB Lynette daWheya stated in a letter to the company dated September 7, 2020.

    Mrs daWheya said Sunrise’s continual harvesting of Tubi trees on Isabel was also without the written consent and approval of the Executive of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Business Licence for Wildlife trader.

    “The offence for violating the ordinance or any of the provision by anybody is liable on conviction to; a fine not exceeding $100,000 and a penalty not exceeding $50,000,” the FIB Registrar said to Sunrise.

    The $50,000 is to be paid to the Provincial Resource Management Fund in accordance with section 43 of the Isabel Resource Management and Environmental Protection Ordinance 2005.

    It was revealed Sunrise Investment Limited Certificate Number 1925 has failed to comply with its Foreign Investment approval conditions.

    As such by virtue of section 23 of the Foreign Investment Act 2005 (amended 2009), the letter by the Registrar of FIB was to show cause notice and Sunrise Investment Limited was charged with several violations.

    Apart from violating the Isabel Resource Management and Environmental Protection Ordinance 2005, Sunrise was also charged with violations of Foreign Investment reserved business activities.

    daWheya said Sunrise Investment Limited on or about mid 2019 at Korona Customary land on San Jorge island, Isabel Province committed a violation contrary to section 23 (1) of the Foreign Investment Act by conducting a prohibited and investment reserved for locals pursuant to schedule 2 of the Foreign Investment Regulations 2006, as read with or along Wildlife Protection Act 1998 section 11.

    FIB said Sunrise Investment Limited have conducted a gathering of wild forests products, namely felling, extracting and exporting of Flora namely Xanthostemon known locally as Tubi.

    By violating the Foreign Investment Act and Solomon Islands Wildlife Protection and Management Act, Sunrise has committed an offence.

    “The punishment for violation of the law is fine and maximum penalty is imprisonment for 12 months or more,” FIB said.

    Furthermore, Sunrise failed to notify the Registrar of Foreign Investment of additional business activities conducted by the company.
    The company was given 10 days upon receipt of the letter dated September 7 to provide reasonable explanation to the Registrar of Foreign Investment Division with supporting documents as to why the company’s Foreign Investment Permit should not be cancelled.

    FIB said failure to comply with the notice, Sunrise certificate of registration will be cancelled with the Registrar of Companies, Commissioner of Labour and Immigration to be notified.

    The illegal felling of tubi trees on San Jorge island in Isabel Province has angered local landowning groups.

    A local landowner of Korona land on San Jorge Wilson Tohidi said recently that about 6,673 tubi logs have already been harvested, weighing up to 8065.927 cubic metres.

    The total cubic metres of tubi is increasing as felling continues.

    He said an estimated 1,500 cubic metres of tubi are also stockpiled at Lelegia on mainland Isabel, which belongs to the same landowning tribe.

    Sunrise has continued to extract tubi on San Jorge island despite not being granted a business licence by the Isabel Provincial Government.

    Comments are being sought from Sunrise Investment Limited.

    The bomb story

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    POLICE say the two foreigners killed in the bomb explosion at Tasahe, west Honiara, Sunday, had been storing old World War II explosives at their rented property.

    Australian Trent Lee and Briton Stephen “Luke” Atkinson died when an unexploded ordnance detonated shortly after 7.30pm, police say.

    The two men were employees of the NGO Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), which maps unexploded ordnance across the country, working alongside the police bomb disposal unit.

    Head of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit within the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Inspector Clifford Tunuki said his officers yesterday moved the bombs to the disposal site at Hells Point, east of Honiara.

    Tunuki said although his unit had a good working relationship with the NPA project, they are concerned that the two men decided to conduct EOD operations within a residential area.

    “RSIPF did not know WWII bombs have been moved to the NPA residence at Tasahe,” Tunuki said.

    “If we had known we would have requested that the items be moved to a safe location such as Hell’s Point east of Honiara,” he added
    “We have now moved all other unexploded ordnances discovered at the NPA residence to Hell’s Point as of this morning so the residence is now safe for our investigators to do their work.

    “As investigations are still in the early stages we do not know what exactly happened that led to the bomb blast but preliminary investigations indicate they had several items of UXO at the residence and they may have been conducting some UXO work.”

    Meanwhile, Tunuki reassured the residents of Tasahe they are now safe to continue with their normal activities.

    He said a number of police units are now involved in the investigation including Forensics, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and the Serious Crime Unit.

    “The Police Response Team (PRT) and our frontline offices are providing security at the site of the incident.

    “The EOD team is now waiting on the results of the Forensic investigation before completing their report.”

    Meanwhile, deputy secretary general of NPA, Per Nergaard, has told the international media the explosion was “a tragic accident”.

    “So far, we know that there has been an explosion with fatal consequences. Our main priority now is to offer assistance to relatives and colleagues, and to clarify what has happened,” Nergaard said.

    He said NPA’s activities in Solomon Islands have been suspended, and the organisation is assisting police with their investigations.

    MALAITA ENDORSES SELF-AUTONOMY

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    Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani.

    MALAITA Provincial Government says it has endorsed and approved self-autonomy as part of its policy during an extraordinary meeting, Tuesday.

    “The resolution clearly stated that it is important that the awareness about this very important subject matter is carried out in communities within Malaita and elsewhere,” a statement from the province said.

    “This is to gauge collective views of the people on this matter and to ensure that relevant information is disseminated to Malaitans with clarity and the understanding of the matter,” the statement said.

    Last week the Sogavare government claimed that Premier Daniel Suidani’s announcement of a referendum on Malaita independence was “illegal”.

    However, the MARA Government reiterated its stand that there is no legal basis for any such undertaking to be called “illegal”.

    “This is because the intended exercise is simply to facilitate getting opinions of Malaitans, who are Solomon Islands citizens on a political question that has been around for the last 40 plus years.

    “That political question is ‘whether Malaitans want independence or a federal system or some form of political autonomy’.

    “The MARA Government believes that such expressions of opinion are clearly protected by the Solomon Islands Constitution and that the PGA 1997 is no higher than the constitution of the country.

    “For the PMO and DCGA Malaitan MPs to call this illegal is unbelievable.”

    The statement said the matter is a local matter and that the MARA Government believes that the spirit of the Provincial Government Act is to ensure that the provincial governments deals with local matters of concern.

    “In this case it is a 40 years old local matter that have been questioned time and time again.

    “Therefore the MARA Government is responding to a local issue being out there in the cold for nearly half a century.

    “What better ways can there be to go to the people and meaningfully deal with the question right there with them and in their midst?
    “It is time the government learn to move away from hiding behind outdated instruments of law that serves nobody and to facilitate the concerns of the people.

    “The premier of Malaita Province said that ‘when the need for change for the better come knocking on your door do not hesitate to open up and be part of the change’.

    “For sure conducting a survey on people’s opinion on a subject that is of concern to them is not the same as a call for independence.

    “That must be made clear.

    “There are those who hold the view that what the Premier of Malaita Province is doing is in effect calling for independence.

    “They even go further to make whole loads of other assumptions.

    “I must remind them that this is a misconceptualization of the intention of the call that was made.

    “There were those that went as far as saying that independence movements are always been bloody and long.

    “But the MARA government would like to say that a lot depends on the specific situations.
    “In many instances usually groups calling for the independence are minority groups.

    “In the case of Malaita province, it is the largest populated province making up almost a 3rd of the population of the country.

    “The MARA Government believes that the issue of independence can be addressed in a civilized and lawful manner as and when that has to be made.

    “Similarly there are those who even made assumptions that the MARA government is brainwashing the people of Malaita.
    “So far there is nothing to suggest that the MARA government officially runs a scheme to brain wash people.

    “People are free as then always been to think for themselves and make their own opinions and judgments on both private and public matters.”

    The statement said the MARA Government would like to state clearly that let history be our judge.

    It added MARA believes the many issues at hand and have been in discussions do not exist in absolute terms but rather in relative terms.

    “Therefore the assumptions one may have now in terms of Malaita developmental trajectory is just as good as ones assumptions and the sources of information one is exposed to.

    “This could include but not limited to the source of experiences one may have and the knowledge and school of thoughts one is willing to accommodate as part of their world views on development.”

    –MPG PRESS

    A mystery plastic bag and ‘few’ Chinese?

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    Pacific Casino
    Pacific Casino will be again one of the quarantine sites

    BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

    THE mysterious plastic bag and its content is still at large as police continues its investigation into the ‘Chinese plastic window’ incident at the Pacific Casino Hotel.

    The two Chinese known to be behind the incident are currently held in quarantine. Police say they are brothers.

    However, police reports imply that there could be ‘others’ involved in this unprecedented incident, which public view as a deliberate disregard for the country’s laws and safety of its people amid the covid-19 pandemic.

    While police are in the dark as to what was contained inside the plastic bag, sources very close to the matter told Island Sun earlier this week that one of the two Chinese has claimed that the plastic bag contained “medicine”. No further details have been provided.

    So far, the two Chinese have tested negative for covid-19.

    In a media conference yesterday, police commissioner Mostyn Mangau said they will deal with the ‘brothers’ when they complete their quarantine terms.

    “On September 7 investigation commenced on this issue and police continued with investigations and assisted the ‘health’ to locate the person driving in and receiving the plastic,” said Mr Mangau.

    “So the person is also quarantined at our quarantine stations [one of quarantine stations] and after his quarantine we will deal with him for violating our quarantine regulation.

    “The plastic was passed through by the brother of the Chinese receiving it. This was by going through another room and receiving it through the ventilation.

    “It was picked up and when the Camp Management drove to the ‘pick up’ spot to check after being alerted, the Chinese escaped in a Hilux.”

    However, good thing a photograph was taken so the police and health people followed up and located the brother of the Chinese under quarantine and also brought him for quarantine said the Police Commissioner.

    “So the health has done testing [on the plastic picker] and it was negative. The police will deal with these brothers after the 14 days quarantine,” said Mangau.

    When asked for what was in the parcel, Mangau said from investigation before they can confirm what is in it.

    “What is happening at the moment too is Police will be also looking at obtaining the camera (CCTV) to look at what is contained in the parcel. So from the outcome of the investigation we can be updated on police findings.

    “Both the accused are brothers. Whether this incident was pre-planned, the ‘plastic picker’ going to pick up the plastic was through communication. Those are areas the investigation team will look at during the course of the investigation,” said Mangau.

    The ‘plastic picker’ drove beside the Pacific Casino car park and received the plastic from outside the wing declared a quarantine station cordoned and sealed off for public access.

    He did not go through the cordoned area. He received the plastic outside of it. He passed through to pick it up when it was thrown out. The plastic is said by police to have gone through from another room to another room before it was passed out.

    “What will happen is police will conduct investigation to look at how the parcel was transferred from another room to another room and then going out the window for the receiver,” said Mangau.

    The Police Commissioner said such action is totally wrong under the quarantine regulation.

    On whether there will be a lengthy penalty due to the seriousness of what the two brothers have done for the general public’s sake which could had gone worst, the Police Commissioner said they understand the penalties imposed under the regulations as it depends very much on the court.

    “The court will determine the weight of evidence provided before it can impose penalty on whoever breaching quarantine regulations. Police will try to complete its investigation and collect whatever evidence needed and then the court will decide on what it will do on this matter,” said Mangau.

    More join youSave

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    By EDDIE OSIFELO

    THE Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) youSave Retirement Scheme for self-employed or those in informal sectors has attracted 18,858 members to date.

    This was an increase from 5,414 members that registered since the launch of the scheme from November 2019 to 8th September 2020.

    Initially an average daily registration of 23 new youSave members registered per day has increased to 316 currently.

    The current net contribution of the total registration of members is $14.5 million from $1.542 million since the inception of the scheme.

    This was initially based on the total deposits of 40,126 with a daily deposit of 125 with an average of $38.43.

    SINPF General Manager Mike Wate told reporters yesterday that with the removal of the previous 10% tax and the reduction to the minimum $5 deposit, there was a significant increase in the number of daily deposits.

    “The number of average daily deposits increased to 239 per day, an increase of more than 90%.

    “The average deposit amount has also slightly increased even though the minimum deposit was reduced, to $38.71 per deposit from $38.43,” he said.

    Wate said this has proven that the previous 10% tax on airtime credit has been a strong disincentive to youSave members in using airtime credit as a currency for their youSave savings.

    Minister of Finance and Treasury, Harry Kuma approved and announced the 10% tax refund on 24th August 2020.

    At the same time, SINPF with support of two national mobile network operators (MNO’s), Our Telekom and Bmobile, reduced the minimum deposit from $10 to $5.

    Furthermore, Wate said with the strong feedback from new and existing members to use the youSave loMobile after the 10% tax refund to save for their future, SINPF team will be working closely with Our Telekom and Bmobile to reach out throughout our communities to secure more members.

    The SINPF and Our Telekom and Bmobile are now working on a concept to consider how youSave members can digitally draw their savings.

    Our Telekom Chief Executive Officer, Arthur Yen said it is a good advancement for the nation on the road for digital financing.
    Yen said they plan to expand the service to Solomon Power and Solomon Water.

    He said it is also good to see collaboration by both service providers working for common good.

    Bmobile Group ICT Manager, Reinhard Lal added they are working together for the nation to help people do saving.

    He hopes with more towers being built around the country, more people can access the service.

    Never forget the vulnerable groups in society

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    IN any crisis, often it is women and children who suffered most.
    That’s because of their vulnerabilities and other weaknesses.

    More often than not, they are also the most neglected.

    The coronavirus pandemic that had brought the world to its knees has far reaching impacts than any other crises in recent history.

    Its impacts are felt in every corner of the globe.

    But it was its impact on our children that are more concerning.

    A survey Save the Children had carried out recently on the impacts of the pandemic on Solomon Islands’ children had found disturbing evidences (see report in today’s paper).

    More than 130 children aged 11 to 17 from four provinces took part in the survey that looked at how COVID-19 has changed children’s lives.

    It found:

    • 30 percent of children who responded said they eat less food during the pandemic.

    • 37 percent said they feel less happy than before the pandemic, and 36 percent feel less safe.

    • More than two thirds said their opinions were not asked for in their household during 
decision making related to COVID-19.
    Parents, as well as stakeholders, need to read the survey findings.

    Often, even parents tend to neglect their children when making decisions in times of crisis.

    Likewise, authorities tend to focus more on national issues, and neglecting these little ones in their decision making process.

    These survey findings offer a timely reminder to never forget our vulnerable groups in society in times of crisis.

    Call for more action on climate change

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    People caring about the world and the environment

    INDUSTRIALISED countries are called on to take greater global action to reduce the impacts of climate change.

    Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Ethel Frances made the call during the Thirty-fifth Asia and Pacific Regional Conference (APRC 35th) of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) convened virtually from 1st -4th September 2020.

    Frances delivered the Country Statement on Thursday 3rd September on behalf of the Minister of MAL who was not able to attend due to other official commitment.

    Bringing the issue of climate change to the forefront of the APRC 35th ministerial meeting, Frances said the severity that climate change continues to wedged on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Solomon Islands and other SIDS requires joint effort from global leaders.

    “…our countries are now experiencing increased incidents and intensity of natural disasters destroying our people’s livelihood, loss of many lives and destroying our ability to grow our economies.

    “If no drastic measures are taken by our industrialised developed countries our Small Islands States will continue to live with these ugly impacts and bear the costs of adaptation and lag behind in delivering our SDG goals,” Frances said.

    “Solomon Islands therefore calls on FAO to advocate aggressively for greater global actions to reduce impacts and call on developed countries with high fossil fuel consumption to support our countries adaptation efforts.”
    Frances also used the opportunity and calls on FAO to continue strengthen the resilience of food systems and to continue to recognise importance of enhanced climate action in the agriculture sector as core elements in its Nationally Determined Contributions and implementation plans under the 2030 Agenda.

    “Suffice to say that effective implementation of adaptation and mitigation measures depends very much on availability of financial and technical resources in a timely manner.”

    “The growing rate of malnutrition, obesity and overweight in the region is a grave concern.

    “The first top ten countries with high incidents are all from the Pacific Islands. Our National Hospital records three to six deaths every single day related to non-communicable disease.

    “Solomon Islands therefore call on FAO to do more in supporting our region cope.

    “Solomon Islands is tracking behind in attaining its Sustainable Development Goals on ending poverty, zero hunger, and access to clean water and sanitation plus others and the current impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic will retract any moderate progress made over the years and we fear worsening of situation in the years ahead.

    “Solomon Islands faced many challenges in ensuring sustainable food supply for our growing population because of our remoteness and geographical isolations, vulnerability to natural disasters, a fast growing population and excessive dependence on international trade and support.

    “These existing challenges are augmented by increase in spread of pests and diseases,” the Permanent Secretary emphasized.

    Solomon Islands delegates who attended the zoom (virtual) conference held at the ICTSU facility comprised of Frances, Undersecretary Technical (Acting), Michael Ho’ota, David Fatai and Rosalie Masu from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources and FAO country Representatives, Jimi Saelea and Nichol Nonga.

    The APRC35 was hosted virtually by the Royal Government of Bhutan.

    Representatives from 46 countries participated in the virtual conference on examining the present situation of the region’s food security, with heavy emphasis on implications linked to the spread of the Covid-19 and its impact on food systems region-wide.

    More than 400 delegates from the Asia-Pacific region participated in the meeting, including representatives from the private sector, civil society, academia and technical experts in the food and agriculture sectors.

    The Regional conference, which takes place every two years, is an official forum where Ministers of Agriculture and other high officials from member states in the Asia-Pacific region meet to debate challenges related to food security and agriculture promoting regional coherence.

    The meeting provide recommendations and further guidance to FAO’s global conference on FAO’s work in the vast Asia-Pacific region.

    — MAL Media

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