Pacific Nations Take Steps on Kava Protection and Election Readiness

Pacific trade ministers convened in Suva, Fiji, on July 21, 2023, to discuss significant developments related to kava, a plant of cultural and economic importance in the region. They welcomed the draft Kava Declaration, which aims to strengthen legal protections for kava and facilitate the establishment of geographical indications. This initiative is designed to enhance kava’s brand value while safeguarding its traditional practices, ensuring its cultural legacy is preserved for future generations.

The ministers established a technical working group tasked with implementing next steps for both national and international geographical indication registrations. This move is expected to provide necessary protections for kava producers and contribute to the economic vitality of Pacific nations that rely on kava as a key export.

In Samoa, the government announced two public holidays in August to facilitate the upcoming 2025 General Election. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour declared that Thursday, August 28, and Friday, August 29, will be observed as national holidays. This decision aims to ensure that all eligible voters have ample opportunity to participate in the electoral process, which has seen over 100,000 individuals register to vote.

Samoa’s Police Commissioner, Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo, has described the growing use and trafficking of methamphetamine in the country as a national pandemic. In response, the Police, Prisons and Corrections Services have intensified their campaign against drugs. Recent targeted raids led to the arrest of individuals linked to meth possession and distribution, highlighting the urgency of addressing this escalating crisis. Auapa’au emphasized the need for sustained enforcement efforts and community involvement to combat the widespread impact of methamphetamine on lives and families.

In Papua New Guinea, a police investigation has been launched following the flight of seven Defence Force soldiers from Aitape in West Sepik Province. These soldiers are suspected of being hired to provide security for a candidate in the ongoing Aitape-Lumi by-election. Assistant Police Commissioner Steven Francis confirmed that the soldiers were operating “illegally on the ground” and indicated that they had left the area by flight to Port Moresby. Polling for the by-election is ongoing and is set to conclude by August 1.

Meanwhile, preparations for the canonisation of Blessed Peter To Rot, Papua New Guinea’s first-ever saint, are underway. Family members are set to travel from Australia to Rome for the ceremony scheduled for October. Blessed Peter To Rot, a catechist during World War II, was executed for upholding Catholic teachings. His beatification took place in 1995 under Pope John Paul II, and he was cleared for canonisation by the late Pope Francis last year.

In the Northern Marianas, schools are facing potential financial challenges due to proposed cuts to the education budget by Governor Arnold Palacios. The Board of Education has warned that the government’s plan to allocate a US$40 million grant falls short of the US$49 million requested by the Public School System. If these cuts are implemented, the Board indicated that they may have to declare a state of emergency in education, impacting the academic future of countless students across the islands.

The developments across the Pacific highlight a region grappling with both cultural preservation and pressing social issues, as governments respond to the needs of their communities while navigating complex challenges.