Pacific news in brief for May 7

Photo: 123rf

Cook Islands – cannabis

The law legalizing medicinal cannabis in the Cook Islands will come into effect this month.

If Cook Islands news Patients reportedly require prescriptions and medications have to be imported from New Zealand or Australia.

The Ministry of Health’s Narcotic Drugs and Abuse Amendment Bill 2023 will be implemented on May 13, pending Cabinet approval next week.

Steven Boggs, a medical cannabis campaigner in Rarotonga, said it is a major breakthrough for patients in the Cook Islands.

American Samoa – mining

The executive director of the American Samoa Economic Development Authority believes there could be 10 billion tons of valuable metals on the area’s seabed.

John Wasko told the Pacific Island Times Seabed resources will significantly change the geopolitical relationship of Pacific nations with industrial and military powers.

He said joint US military commands are assessing the possibility of making American Samoa the Asia-Pacific hub for mineral receipt and refining.

In November last year, the Economic Development Authority entered into a memorandum of understanding with California-based mining company Impossible Metals to collaborate in the extraction and processing of the minerals.

Palau – travel

With the support of the governments of both countries, a new non-stop flight service between Australia and Palau is being launched.

The Palau Paradise Express, operated by Nauru Airlines, will fly between Brisbane and Palau’s commercial center Koror, with the first flight taking place this month.

Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the service in a joint statement, saying it would help create new opportunities for regional tourism and trade.

“Together we are committed to achieving a stronger, more connected Pacific region through sustainable tourism, trade and business ties,” they said.

The new route complements Island Hopper flights between Brisbane, Nauru, Tarawa, Majuro, Pohnpei and Koror.

Nauru Airlines will operate the flight until October 31, with eligible Australian, Pacific and Asian airlines invited to participate in a limited tender to operate the route until October 2025.

Solomon Islands – meeting

The newly elected Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, Jeremiah Manele, has met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, John Rosso, in Honiara.

If Profound Solomons Rosso reportedly flew from Papua New Guinea for a short visit to deliver congratulations on behalf of PNG Prime Minister James Marape and the people of Papua New Guinea.

Rosso highlighted the deep-rooted ties between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, highlighting their shared Melanesian heritage and long-standing relationships.

Samoa – health

Brigham Young University in Utah has donated a container of medical supplies to the National University of Samoa.

The contents were worth approximately $45,000 tala.

It included lab coats, gauze and bandages, first aid supplies, pillows, wheelchairs and a walker.

The National University of Samoa said this donation was made possible by a Brigham Young University Alzeimers Research project, as well as some generous Good Samaritans in Provo, Utah.

Climate fund

The board of the Climate Loss and Damages Fund will choose the host country in July.

Interested hosts have until early June to throw their hat in the ring – Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas and the Philippines have already done so.

Climate at home reported that the 26-member board held its first three-day meeting in Abu Dhabi last week.

Selecting the host country for the administration is a priority because only then will the country be able to take legal responsibility and make formal agreements with the World Bank.

Governments have asked the World Bank to host the loss and damage fund “on an interim basis” and they have until mid-June to confirm this.

After all procedural matters are gone through, the board will begin to address issues such as how to disburse money and how to fill the treasury with more cash.

To date, it has secured approximately $660 million in commitments.

Although board members hope to have the fund’s structure up and running by COP29 in November this year, the fund is not expected to start distributing money until 2025.