A conspiracy between workers at a local lumber store to steal from the company has backfired badly, landing them in jail instead.

The three men, who worked at Bluebird Lumber and Hardware Store, were convicted of theft as a servant at the end of an assessor trial.

As a result, Chief Justice, His Honour Patu Tiava’asu’e Falefatu Sapolu jailed them.

Amato Fa’asolo, 53, has been given a sentence of 18 months imprisonment. The other two defendants, Filemu Sinaumea, 33, and Okei Lino, 49, were both jailed for 12 months each.

In handing out the sentences, Chief Justice Patu said he hopes this would send out a message to members of the public that this sort of behaviour is not acceptable.

He said the men were dishonest and they need to be taught a lesson about abusing the trust of their employer.

“You have violated the trust given to you by the owner of the company,” his Honour said.

Chief Justice Patu said theft as a servant has become very common among workers and the offense worries him. It is why the Court needs to stand firm and make sure the penalties warn members of the community that stealing is not worth it.

During the hearing, the Court heard that the conspiracy occurred in February this year.

It happened when a customer visited the store to make an order that would have earned the company $15,000.

While he was looking around inside, Fa’asolo had apparently approached him and offered to get him the goods for a cheaper price.

Fa’asolo then told the man to go home and he would visit him at his house later.

Back at work, Fa’asolo made a deal with Sinaumea and Lino, who were security officers, to turn a blind eye to what was about to happen.

He then arranged for the man’s order and it cost $8,662.

Faasolo contacted the customer and told him the details about when to pick up the order.

When the first load was uplifted, the man gave Fa’asolo $3,000 cash.

For the second load, the man gave Fa’asolo another $1,500.

The Court heard that the money was split between the defendants.

One challenge for the S.I.D.S meeting is to translate good intentions, signed on paper, into practical activities that help people

Delegates attending the third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S) have to been told to ‘go easy’ in an effort to reduce the meeting’s carbon footprint.
The message comes from Wu Hongbo, the United Nations’ Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affair and the Secretary-General of S.I.D.S, opening this weekend in Apia.
During a site visit to a Women in Business Development demonstration and processing farm at Nu’u yesterday, Mr. Wu said he was “very conscious of the carbon emissions from running such a conference.”
For example, the UN has cut down its staff for the S.I.D.S meeting by 15 per cent. He has also asked participants to “go easy”, and reduce their emissions by using less resources, less paper and less energy.

Women in Business Development president, Sheree Stehlin, says her organisation is very focused on how to offset the carbon emissions generated by the global conference.

“We have been running our Offset Islands 2014 campaign for the past month and we are seeing some great initiatives in Samoa to reduce our carbon footprint as well offset the carbon that will be produced,” she said.

“We have seen recycling, renewable energy initiatives, environmentally friendly dinner ware, plans for commercial composting and even the setting up of water refilling stations instead of continuously buying water in plastic bottles."

“All of these are great and Women in Business Development will also be putting our spades in the ground this week to plant trees to do our part in offsetting carbon.”

The Women in Business Development demonstration farm is an agro-processing unit as well as a nursery centre to test crops for farmers and markets.

The farm adds value to products by processing them into other products, which can access a wider market. For example, the virgin coconut oil is sold to The Body Shop as part of its Fair Trade Community programme.

Mr. Wu sampled dried misiluki bananas and virgin coconut oil while visiting the farm at Nu’u.

One challenge for the S.I.D.S meeting is to translate good intentions, signed on paper, into practical activities that help people.

Women in Business Development is one of many organisations at the S.I.D.S meeting, who will showcase how their programmes can turn words into action.

The cruise ship chartered to accommodate a number of delegations for the S.I.D.S conference is scheduled to arrive today.

P&O’s Pacific Jewel cruise liner will berth at Matautu wharf from today until 5 September, 2014.

The ship, which will accommodate some of the UNSIDS delegates and support staff, is part of the assistance provided by the New Zealand Government.

The Government of Samoa will provide free transport to and from the conference venue for all delegates staying on the ship.

It has been a long and challenging journey but Samoa’s newest 4.5 star resort has now opened at Return to Paradise, Lefaga.

Return to Paradise is proudly Samoan built, Samoan owned and Samoan operated.

Investors in the resort include some of the most prominent and respected business families in Samoa.

To celebrate the opening, Return to Paradise is offering an opening special of T$450 per night including tropical breakfast (minimum stay two nights) for Samoan residents.

Reservations are essential and must be booked direct with the resort.

“We have built something very special in Samoa that Samoa can be proud of,” says Marketing Manager, Vaimasenu’u Zita Martel.

“It’s like walking into a traditional Samoan village in the olden days with thatched fales grouped around a malae and Return to Paradise resort evokes these memories.

“That's Return to Paradise Resort’s point of difference, because no where in modern Samoa do you find a 4.5 star resort that has the look and feel of a Samoan village. The stunning setting, the architecture, the food and service all combine to make Return to Paradise

Resort quite exceptional”.

This is a large spread out resort which is by far the biggest on the south coast with 60 room spaces. All the rooms have beautiful walk-in wardrobes, marble floor and wall surfaces, granite bench tops and gorgeous silk curtains.

It is a tribute to the class of this resort that even when it was only half finished, it was selected by Masterchef New Zealand to feature three episodes of this top rating show.

International Chef, Tristan Edgerley, has spent time under the tutoring of Masterchef, Simon Gault and Michael Meredith and worked in top restaurants in New Zealand and Australia.

Tristan and his team are turning out amazing food at Paradise Kitchen.

Food and Beverage Manager, Raz Gilchrist brings his special magic skills honed over years of working with Hilton Hotels and the much acclaimed restaurant “Euro” with Simon Gault.

Right on the beach are 12 beach front rooms with amazing rock wall feature bathrooms, plus four 2-bedroom villas with full kitchen.

There are a further 18 ocean breeze and treetop rooms, a Presidential suite, Maeva Honeymoon Suite, four swimming pools, Cabana Cafe, Paradise Kitchen Restaurant, Rock Pool Bar and Massage Spa.

For meetings, the air-conditioned Gary Cooper lounge seat 100 people theatre style and 60 for dinner. Opening soon will be the conference centre, a beautifully carved traditional Samoan 'faletalimalo' seating up to 400 people for weddings, fiafia nights and other events.

Fiame Naomi Mataafa, the Minister of Justice, has graciously given her blessing for the Conference centre to be named the “Fetaui Conference Centre”, in honour of the late Laulu Fetauimalemau Mata'afa, her mother, who was one of the key inspirations for the establishment of the resort.

Sadly, Fetaui passed away before the resort was completed, but said she would die happily knowing that such a venture would create meaningful jobs for the people of Lefaga.

Heavy future demand for holidays, conferences and weddings means that by the end of September, a further four 3-bedroom absolute beach front villas will be open, along with a further 6 deluxe rooms with fantastic elevated views.

Gin and tonic at sunset on the Rock Pool Bar just has to be on the bucket list. So does the amazing range of signature cocktails such as the Tolu Special (they could tell you how it is made, but we won’t. Just enjoy it. We guarantee you will want another one). Then there is an absolutely delightful cocktail jokingly named Sized Two. An unusual name for a cocktail, but according to Raz; “ guests eyes light up when they drink it just like us Samoans’ eyes light up when you tell us there is a Size Two pig for to’ona’i.”

There have been many setbacks in getting this resort up and running.

Initial plans were stopped in their tracks when the Global Financial Crisis drove the first investors into bankruptcy so they had to pull out. A second lot of investors got spooked by the tsunami and also pulled out. Long delays in settling leases lost credibility.

Shortly after construction commenced, the cyclone hit and reduced the site to a disaster zone.

Steering the development through these tough times was Chairman Hinauri Petana: “I have seen many projects flounder in my years in the Public Service, but Return to Paradise was a vision worth fighting for. In tough times, good people work harder and support each other.

“Our setbacks have made us better people and the Resort a more exceptional place. Return to Paradise is now an amazing place supported by an amazing team of investors, managers and staff. We can’t wait to show it to you and to the world.”

All delegates who enter the S.I.D.S Village will be treated to the sight of a floating island in the middle of a swimming pool at the Tuana’imato Complex.

The island features miniature Samoan villages complete with people, fales cricket grounds, roads, and communal grounds.

But the project which took one month and thirty young artists to build is more than an artistic interpretation of a S.I.D.S village, it provided temporary employment opportunity for all the young people involved through the Leulumoega School of Fine Arts.

“This is the biggest project I have been involved in with my school,” said Milosia Tulia, a first year student at Leulumoega. Tulias contribution to the island was the material for the 22 miniature fales on the floating village.

The artistic representation of a S.I.D.S village on a floating island was a concept proposed by Peseta Margaret Malua, C.E.O of the Small Business Enterprise Centre.

“This is a small islands conference, this floating village represents a small island in the vast ocean, depicting the challenges that come with being a SIDS,” Peseta said.

The work of the youth artists were funded by the International Labour Organization under the Youth Employment Project in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme.

The island which was installed earlier this week by the students and teachers of Leulumoega Fou also highlights climate change, disaster resilience, vulnerability, development and sustainability through the actions of the miniature characters and the landscape of the whole village.

“We wanted to display the realities of S.I.D.S,” Peseta said.

The Youth Employment Project mobilized over a hundred young artists and farmers in a variety of activities that will be showcased at the S.I.D.S Venue.

“The aim of the project is to enhance inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction through improved and increased sustainable employment, livelihood opportunities and food security for women, youth and vulnerable groups.”

“It ultimately supports institutional strengthening to develop more decent work opportunities, particularly for young men and women across all economic sectors,” said David Lamotte, Director for the ILO Country Office for Pacific Island Countries.

To view the S.I.D.S Floating Island and the works of young artists and farmers the public is invited to the S.I.D.S venue on Friday, 29th from 10 in the morning to 4pm.

“It’s a scandal that low-lying coastal and small island developing states stand to lose their territory by the end of this century due to sea level rise”

Inter Press Service - The third Small Developing Island States (S.I.D.S) conference will bypass a politically sensitive issue: a proposal to create a new category of “environmental refugees” fleeing tiny island nations threatened by rising seas.

“It’s not on the final declaration called the outcome document,” a S.I.D.S diplomat told Inter Press Service.

“The rich countries that neighbour small island states are not in favour of a flood of refugees inundating them,” he added.

Such a proposal also involves an amendment to the 1951 U.N. Convention on the Status of Refugees, making it even more divisive.

The outcome document, already agreed upon at a U.N. Preparatory Committee meeting last month, will be adopted at the Sep. 1-4 meeting in the Samoan capital of Apia.

Sara Shaw, climate justice and energy coordinator at Friends of the Earth International (FoEI), told IPS, “We believe that climate refugees have a legitimate claim for asylum and should be recognised under the U.N. refugee convention and offered international protection.”

“Unfortunately, she said, the very developed nations responsible for the vast majority of the climate-changing gases present in the atmosphere today are those refusing to extend the refugee convention to include climate refugees.”

“Worse still, they are trying to weaken existing international protection for refugees,” Shaw added.

The world’s first-ever “climate change refugee” claimant, a national of Kiribati, lost his asylum appeal in a New Zealand courtroom last

May on the ground that international refugee law does not recognise global warming and rising sea levels as a valid basis for asylum status.
Ioane Teitiota, a 37-year-old native of the Pacific island nation, claimed his island home was sinking – and that he was seeking greener and safer pastures overseas.

But the New Zealand court ruled that the 1951 international convention on refugees, which never foresaw the phenomenon of climate change, permits refugee status only if one “has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion.”

The U.N.’s electronic newsletter, U.N. News, quoted Francois Crepeau, the special rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, as saying, “We don’t have, in international law, or any kind of mechanisms to allow people to enter a State against the will of the State, unless they are refugees.”

And even then, he said, they don’t technically have the right to enter, but cannot be punished for entering.

Addressing the General Assembly last September, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Winston Baldwin Spencer told delegates, “It is a recognised fact – but it is worth repeating – that small island states contribute the least to the causes of climate change, yet we suffer the most from its effects.”

He said small island states have expressed their “profound disappointment” at the lack of tangible action at U.N. climate change talks.

“Developed countries,” he said, “should shoulder their moral, ethical and historical responsibilities for emitting high levels of anthropogenic greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.”

“It is those actions which have put the planet in jeopardy and compromised the well-being of present and future generations,” he said.

Kristin Casper, legal counsel for campaigns and actions at Greenpeace International, told IPS, “It’s a scandal that low-lying coastal and small island developing states stand to lose their territory by the end of this century due to sea level rise.”

She said climate-driven migration will increase, “therefore we salute all efforts by Pacific Small Island Developing States, other governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to call for urgent action to allow the world to fairly deal with climate-forced migration.

“It’s clear that governments have an obligation to reduce the risk of climate-related disasters, and displaced individuals and communities should be provided legal protection in their countries and abroad,” Casper said.

The Samoa conference is officially titled the Third International Conference on SIDS, the last two conferences being held in Barbados in 1994 and Mauritius in 2005.

The 52 SIDS include Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Fiji, Grenada, Bahamas, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

Addressing reporters last week, the Secretary-General of the Samoa conference Wu Hongbo told reporters he expects over 700 participants, including world political leaders, 21 heads of U.N agencies and over 100 NGOs.

“The outcome document,” he said, has several recommendations for action on how to move forward. But these goals,” he stressed, “cannot be achieved by governments alone.”

“All of us are affected by climate change,” he said, pointing out that there was a broad agreement among member states on the challenges ahead.

FoEI’s Shaw told IPS millions of people around the world are internally displaced or forced to seek refuge in other countries because of hunger or conflict. Many of these crises are being directly exacerbated by climate change as resources

such as fresh water become scarcer and conflicts arise.

“The impacts of climate change, which include increased sea-level rise, droughts, and more frequent extreme weather events, will lead to a growing number of climate refugees around the world,” she warned.

“Friends of the Earth would welcome climate refugees being recognised under the U.N. refugee convention and offered international protection,” she said.

“However we remain doubtful that these refugees would ever receive a warm welcome from the rich countries who climate polluting actions forced them from their homes.”

“The reality is that the overwhelming majority of climate refugees like those escaping conflict or persecution will end up in other poor countries, whilst rich countries build ever greater walls and fences to keep out those seeking a safer life

for their families,” Shaw said.

According to the United Nations, S.I.D.S are located among the most vulnerable regions in the world in terms of the intensity and frequency of natural and environmental disasters and their increasing impact.

S.I.D.S face disproportionately high economic, social and environmental consequences when disasters occur.

These vulnerabilities accentuate other issues facing developing countries in general.

These include challenges around trade liberalisation and globalisation, food security, energy dependence and access; freshwater resources; land degradation, waste management, and biodiversity.

PR - Tokelau’s Office in Apia yesterday opened a special meeting facility. It is meant for relevant side events to the Third Small Islands Developing States (S.I.D.S) conference.

Dignitaries such as the NZ High Commissioner, the local Representative of U.N.D.P, representatives of U.N, F.A.O, Samoan Government and S.P.R.E.P were treated to two presentations on renewable energy.

Speakers were Sili’a Kilepoa Ualesi of S.P.R.E.P and Robin Pene, Energy Director in Tokelau.

Tokelau’s Renewable Energy Project (T.R.E.P) was completed in 2012. Its intent was two-fold. Firstly it demonstrates that it is both economically viable and operationally sustainable to dramatically reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Secondly, and equally importantly, it shows Tokelau’s “commitment through action” to mitigate the effects of climate change.

T.R.E.P worked with S.P.R.E.P to ensure regional information flow and cooperation, via their programme called PIGGAREP (Pacific Islands Greenhouse Gas Abatement through Renewable Energy Programme).

Not only is Tokelau’s renewable energy project proud of what it has achieved; it was also declared winner of the 2014 Renewable Energy Award of NZ’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (ECCA).

Tokelau could not have done this alone, even though its political will and community ownership largely led to its success.

The project has demonstrated a partnership between the leaders of Tokelau and their people, between Tokelau and New Zealand, and between Tokelau and renewable energy partners.

The General Manager of the Tokelau office, Joe Suveinakama also announced the start of the Tokelau Energy Support Project between

Tokelau and the United nations Development Programme. This will ensure putting together a new energy policy, and provide ongoing monitoring and demand-side management of the renewable energy system.

All delegates who enter the S.I.D.S Village will be treated to the sight of a floating island in the middle of a swimming pool at the Tuana’imato Complex.

The island features miniature Samoan villages complete with people, fales cricket grounds, roads, and communal grounds.

But the project which took one month and thirty young artists to build is more than an artistic interpretation of a S.I.D.S village, it provided temporary employment opportunity for all the young people involved through the Leulumoega School of Fine Arts.

“This is the biggest project I have been involved in with my school,” said Milosia Tulia, a first year student at Leulumoega. Tulias contribution to the island was the material for the 22 miniature fales on the floating village.

The artistic representation of a S.I.D.S village on a floating island was a concept proposed by Peseta Margaret Malua, C.E.O of the Small Business Enterprise Centre.

“This is a small islands conference, this floating village represents a small island in the vast ocean, depicting the challenges that come with being a SIDS,” Peseta said.

The work of the youth artists were funded by the International Labour Organization under the Youth Employment Project in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme.

The island which was installed earlier this week by the students and teachers of Leulumoega Fou also highlights climate change, disaster resilience, vulnerability, development and sustainability through the actions of the miniature characters and the landscape of the whole village.

“We wanted to display the realities of S.I.D.S,” Peseta said.

The Youth Employment Project mobilized over a hundred young artists and farmers in a variety of activities that will be showcased at the S.I.D.S Venue.

“The aim of the project is to enhance inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction through improved and increased sustainable employment, livelihood opportunities and food security for women, youth and vulnerable groups.”

“It ultimately supports institutional strengthening to develop more decent work opportunities, particularly for young men and women across all economic sectors,” said David Lamotte, Director for the ILO Country Office for Pacific Island Countries.

To view the S.I.D.S Floating Island and the works of young artists and farmers the public is invited to the S.I.D.S venue on Friday, 29th from 10 in the morning to 4pm.

“It’s a scandal that low-lying coastal and small island developing states stand to lose their territory by the end of this century due to sea level rise”

Inter Press Service - The third Small Developing Island States (S.I.D.S) conference will bypass a politically sensitive issue: a proposal to create a new category of “environmental refugees” fleeing tiny island nations threatened by rising seas.

“It’s not on the final declaration called the outcome document,” a S.I.D.S diplomat told Inter Press Service.

“The rich countries that neighbour small island states are not in favour of a flood of refugees inundating them,” he added.

Such a proposal also involves an amendment to the 1951 U.N. Convention on the Status of Refugees, making it even more divisive.

The outcome document, already agreed upon at a U.N. Preparatory Committee meeting last month, will be adopted at the Sep. 1-4 meeting in the Samoan capital of Apia.

Sara Shaw, climate justice and energy coordinator at Friends of the Earth International (FoEI), told IPS, “We believe that climate refugees have a legitimate claim for asylum and should be recognised under the U.N. refugee convention and offered international protection.”

“Unfortunately, she said, the very developed nations responsible for the vast majority of the climate-changing gases present in the atmosphere today are those refusing to extend the refugee convention to include climate refugees.”

“Worse still, they are trying to weaken existing international protection for refugees,” Shaw added.

The world’s first-ever “climate change refugee” claimant, a national of Kiribati, lost his asylum appeal in a New Zealand courtroom last

May on the ground that international refugee law does not recognise global warming and rising sea levels as a valid basis for asylum status.
Ioane Teitiota, a 37-year-old native of the Pacific island nation, claimed his island home was sinking – and that he was seeking greener and safer pastures overseas.

But the New Zealand court ruled that the 1951 international convention on refugees, which never foresaw the phenomenon of climate change, permits refugee status only if one “has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion.”

The U.N.’s electronic newsletter, U.N. News, quoted Francois Crepeau, the special rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, as saying, “We don’t have, in international law, or any kind of mechanisms to allow people to enter a State against the will of the State, unless they are refugees.”

And even then, he said, they don’t technically have the right to enter, but cannot be punished for entering.

Addressing the General Assembly last September, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Winston Baldwin Spencer told delegates, “It is a recognised fact – but it is worth repeating – that small island states contribute the least to the causes of climate change, yet we suffer the most from its effects.”

He said small island states have expressed their “profound disappointment” at the lack of tangible action at U.N. climate change talks.

“Developed countries,” he said, “should shoulder their moral, ethical and historical responsibilities for emitting high levels of anthropogenic greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.”

“It is those actions which have put the planet in jeopardy and compromised the well-being of present and future generations,” he said.

Kristin Casper, legal counsel for campaigns and actions at Greenpeace International, told IPS, “It’s a scandal that low-lying coastal and small island developing states stand to lose their territory by the end of this century due to sea level rise.”

She said climate-driven migration will increase, “therefore we salute all efforts by Pacific Small Island Developing States, other governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to call for urgent action to allow the world to fairly deal with climate-forced migration.

“It’s clear that governments have an obligation to reduce the risk of climate-related disasters, and displaced individuals and communities should be provided legal protection in their countries and abroad,” Casper said.

The Samoa conference is officially titled the Third International Conference on SIDS, the last two conferences being held in Barbados in 1994 and Mauritius in 2005.

The 52 SIDS include Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Fiji, Grenada, Bahamas, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

Addressing reporters last week, the Secretary-General of the Samoa conference Wu Hongbo told reporters he expects over 700 participants, including world political leaders, 21 heads of U.N agencies and over 100 NGOs.

“The outcome document,” he said, has several recommendations for action on how to move forward. But these goals,” he stressed, “cannot be achieved by governments alone.”

“All of us are affected by climate change,” he said, pointing out that there was a broad agreement among member states on the challenges ahead.

FoEI’s Shaw told IPS millions of people around the world are internally displaced or forced to seek refuge in other countries because of hunger or conflict. Many of these crises are being directly exacerbated by climate change as resources

such as fresh water become scarcer and conflicts arise.

“The impacts of climate change, which include increased sea-level rise, droughts, and more frequent extreme weather events, will lead to a growing number of climate refugees around the world,” she warned.

“Friends of the Earth would welcome climate refugees being recognised under the U.N. refugee convention and offered international protection,” she said.

“However we remain doubtful that these refugees would ever receive a warm welcome from the rich countries who climate polluting actions forced them from their homes.”

“The reality is that the overwhelming majority of climate refugees like those escaping conflict or persecution will end up in other poor countries, whilst rich countries build ever greater walls and fences to keep out those seeking a safer life

for their families,” Shaw said.

According to the United Nations, S.I.D.S are located among the most vulnerable regions in the world in terms of the intensity and frequency of natural and environmental disasters and their increasing impact.

S.I.D.S face disproportionately high economic, social and environmental consequences when disasters occur.

These vulnerabilities accentuate other issues facing developing countries in general.

These include challenges around trade liberalisation and globalisation, food security, energy dependence and access; freshwater resources; land degradation, waste management, and biodiversity.

PR - Tokelau’s Office in Apia yesterday opened a special meeting facility. It is meant for relevant side events to the Third Small Islands Developing States (S.I.D.S) conference.

Dignitaries such as the NZ High Commissioner, the local Representative of U.N.D.P, representatives of U.N, F.A.O, Samoan Government and S.P.R.E.P were treated to two presentations on renewable energy.

Speakers were Sili’a Kilepoa Ualesi of S.P.R.E.P and Robin Pene, Energy Director in Tokelau.

Tokelau’s Renewable Energy Project (T.R.E.P) was completed in 2012. Its intent was two-fold. Firstly it demonstrates that it is both economically viable and operationally sustainable to dramatically reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Secondly, and equally importantly, it shows Tokelau’s “commitment through action” to mitigate the effects of climate change.

T.R.E.P worked with S.P.R.E.P to ensure regional information flow and cooperation, via their programme called PIGGAREP (Pacific Islands Greenhouse Gas Abatement through Renewable Energy Programme).

Not only is Tokelau’s renewable energy project proud of what it has achieved; it was also declared winner of the 2014 Renewable Energy Award of NZ’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (ECCA).

Tokelau could not have done this alone, even though its political will and community ownership largely led to its success.

The project has demonstrated a partnership between the leaders of Tokelau and their people, between Tokelau and New Zealand, and between Tokelau and renewable energy partners.

The General Manager of the Tokelau office, Joe Suveinakama also announced the start of the Tokelau Energy Support Project between

Tokelau and the United nations Development Programme. This will ensure putting together a new energy policy, and provide ongoing monitoring and demand-side management of the renewable energy system.

Auckland (Stuff) 26 August 2014 - New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker is adamant he's a far better boxer now than when he was originally scheduled to fight Sherman Williams.

Parker and Williams fronted a media conference today ahead of their October 16 clash in west Auckland.

They were meant to fight back in April in Germany, but when Williams, who was sparring with Vladimir Klitschko, fell out with the world title holder and was sent packing, their clash on the undercard never eventuated.

When they do eventually square off six months later, it seemed the durable Williams from Bahamas would find a more imposing Parker.

"Oh definitely, I feel a way better fighter now than when I was over there watching Klitschko," Parker said today.

"When I compare my body, I'm in a lot better shape now. When I compare my skill, I know I'm a lot better. I know I've learned a lot."

Parker disposed of Williams' replacement in Germany with a seventh round knockout. He then produced the best performance of his young professional career to dismantle American veteran Brian Minto in six rounds and earlier this month impressed United States pundits with a business-like KO of Keith Thompson in Pennsylvania.

All the while, Williams has stayed inactive, training and dealing with personal issues like the deaths of his mother and mother-in-law.

The 41-year-old hasn't fought since last November when he improved his record to 36 wins (19 KOs), 2 draws and 13 losses by gaining a unanimous points decision over American punching bag Earl Ladson.

Parker has already done extensive homework on Williams and now it's a case of picking up on that again - and moving forward - when he heads to Las Vegas on Thursday for a seven week training camp with Kevin Barry.

"The groundwork I have done already certainly helps me with this fight," Parker said.

"But I've also got fights under my belt, he hasn't fought for a while.”

"I'm going back to Vegas to train hard and learn a lot more for this fight as well."

Parker said he needed to be well prepared. The hardest fight was always the one immediately in front of any boxer, particularly in the heavyweight division where one punch could cause so much damage, and the Kiwi said that was exactly the case right now.

"This fight is my toughest fight for where I am at the moment," Parker said.

"He's a fighter with a lot of experience ... he has fought a lot of the top fighters around the world, the likes of (Evander) Holyfield. He's got a good chin, he's proved that."

Williams said he was fit and ready to apply the finishing touches to his preparations.

"This is bullets and gun smoke ... but I fight better than I talk," Williams said, feeling a little aggrieved to be mentioned alongside Minto.

"I don't know about Brian Minto ... Brian Minto is Brian Minto, I'm Sherman 'The Tank' Williams from the Bahamas and I'm coming here to fight and do what I always do ... whether it's to the body or the head, if I see an opportunity I'm going to take it."

The Third Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S.) Conference is almost here. You can smell it, almost touch it.

Yesterday, the accreditation centre at Tuana’imato was probably the busiest place of the venues as hundreds of delegates, the ones who had arrived already, dropped in to pick up their passes.

The queues were not too bad yesterday but that might not be the case today and tomorrow as hundreds more delegates arrive.

More than 3,000 delegates are expected to attend S.I.D.S. Conference.

Among the visitors to Tuana’imato yesterday was the Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi who was given a guided tour by Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and S.I.D.S. C.E.O. and Coordinator, Fa’alavaau Perina Sila.

His Highness smiled and encouraged the local workers who were putting the final touches to the venues before the meeting begins.

“History has shown that young people are the drivers of transformative changes and it is our responsibility to create conditions to help them…”

The young people of the world are the drivers of change.
As such, they should be encouraged to voice their opinions, contributing to meaningful policies that benefit people.

So said the United Nations Under Secretary General for Economic and Social Affairs, Wu Hongbo, during the Official Opening of the Small

Island Developing States (S.I.D.S) T.A.L.A.V.O.U Forum yesterday evening at the TATTE Building, Apia.

The Forum is bringing young people from across the globe, from different backgrounds and networks, to Samoa to learn about key issues affecting S.I.D.S.

“Young people may lack resources but you are very resourceful in bringing your views to the government,” he said.

“History has shown that young people are the drivers of transformative changes and it is our responsibility to create conditions to help them…”

He added: “As we all know children and youth have a special place in sustainable development. We must include young people in the decision making process rather than keeping them out.”

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, welcomed all the participants to Samoa. He highlighted that the name of the Conference, T.A.L.A.V.O.U, speaks about a bright future and hope, which is what Samoa hopes will become the legacy of the 2014 S.I.D.S Conference.

Tuilaepa said that about 40 per cent of Samoa’s population are youth and to date “many of our young people are facing similar challenges” which include employment, social issues among other things.

The Youth Forum theme is “S.I.D.S Youth for Sustainable Development.”

Representing Samoa at the Conference are:

• Molly Homasi from the Samoa National Youth Council.

• Brianna Fruean from Future Rush.

• Fa’atino Utumapu from Nuanua o le Alofa

• Neil Tiatia a young Savai’i migrant worker

The acronym T.A.L.A.V.O.U. stands for “Towards a Legacy of Achievement, Versatility, Opportunity through partnership and Unity.”

The stars are here and they are ready to rock.
Tonight at the Funway Park, Matautu, the largest line up of Pacific artists ever assembled in Samoa will act as the curtain raiser for S.I.D.S activities and the Teuila Festival.

The star-studded line up includes award-winning Samoans such as Scribe, Savage as well the popular Aaradhna. Other performers include Pieter T., Sammy Johnson, Vince Harder, Monsta and MZJ.

Speaking during a press conference yesterday, Dawn Raid's Danny Leaosavai'i, better known as Brotha D, said he was delighted to be able to come to Samoa at such a special time.

He said a lot of them have had to travel to Samoa from far away places to be here. Aaradhna for instance had to fly over from Los Angeles.

"But we want to come back to our homeland and not only entertain the people but to help them by raising funds," he said.

For Julie Ta'ale, coming back home is always a special occasion.

"It's always very emotional for me to come back to the motherland and to be able to help my people through my singing career," she said.

"It's good to be back home."

Hip-hop artists Monsta and Sammy J said the visit is more than just the concert.

"We're not only here to help, we're also here to encourage young people of Samoa who are passionate in singing that if we can make it to where we are now, they can to."

The Ray of Hope is not just another concert though. Behind the rave and excitement is a heartwarming story that sets it apart from the rest. Tonight's concert will be a tribute to the late Raymond Fruean, a prominent figure in the Samoan music and entertainment industry; and a strong advocate for Pacific Island artists and music.

In memoriam of the late DJ and businessman as well as his contributions to his community, friends of 'Ray', as he was known, have banded together to create the Ray of Hope concert.

"Ray has been a big part of Dawn Raid returning every year to Samoa since 2005. We want to raise as much money for this great cause in memory of a good friend", expressed Brotha D.

Proceeds from the concert will be donated to the Samoa Victim Support Group.

Digicel Samoa is the main sponsor.

The problems affecting Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S.) are as far removed from the idyllic tropical holiday as the picture perfect postcard that is sent home by the tourist.

But how does one capture in a photo for a postcard the rising seawaters that are affecting our aquifers, the increasing intensity of extreme weather events such as cyclones or the land based pollution destroying the lively hoods of people in small fishing villages?

Even if the beach is a beautiful strip of sand being lapped at by crystal clear water, what of the untreated human waste, the plastic garbage that is often left out of the picture frame?

According to the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, Gyan Chandra Acharya (pictured above), if this

S.I.D.S. reality is not addressed now, it could very quickly become a reality for countries across the globe.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer yesterday, Mr. Acharya said the islands are on the frontline for the many issues affecting the world.

He said this is why problems such as rising sea levels, climate change and human waste must be addressed now.

“Not only (is it) important for the small islands it is important for the international community,” he said.

“Because you can already see what is going to happen to everybody else if you do not deal with that right now.

“Because they (S.I.D.S.) are on the front line, like the canary in the mines…if there is a lack of oxygen in the mines the canaries would be the ones who would facing it. So it is just like that.”

He said this is the message that needs to get across to the global community.

“This is not a distance issue of some countries around the world which are placed in different places,” he said.

“This is something that is going to come to everyone, so it is much better that you look at it now so that you can prevent those from happening elsewhere and also to help them (small islands) get out of it.”
Mr. Acharya said while it was true S.I.D.S. faced similar challenges to the larger countries, some were uniquely their own.

“What we have found is that there are common challenges with the small island countries faced together with others (larger nations),” he said.

“Employment - the youth employment in particular, the health the issues to women’s participation (and) economic growth – these are common challenges that you see from everywhere.

“But there are also challenges which are peculiar to the small islands.

“The oceans because all of them have the ocean as their reference, they would like to say that they are the custodian of the ocean.

“Which is a very important expression of their commitment to the ocean and how dependent they are on the ocean. That is very clear and also climate change and its impact.

“And also we have seen energy as a major issue we went around everywhere in the islands.

“The cost of producing energy is very high the cost of transportation is very high partly reflected in that.

“So these are some of the core issues which have a reflection on a their economic growth to sustainability of that.”

He said while the upcoming 2014 Third S.I.D.S. conference will form dialogues with the potential of multi-stakeholder partnerships to deal with these issues – a global perspective must be taken in these discussions.

“We are looking at the importance of the issues not only for the small islands. sometimes we say this is a conference about small islands,” Mr Acharya said.

“But when we look at that we are looking at it from the global perspective learning at how it is being done there or unlearning some of the things that we have been doing that is also very, very important.

“And then also creating a kind of multi-stakeholder partnership, that is the theme of this conference to develop genuine partnerships.

“They are looking towards the collaboration, corporation and the partnership and this has to be part of the dialogue and part of the action as well.

“I think that is a very important perspective and we are hoping by way of that we are taking lessons from the small islands because this is how we should be looking at globally all the issues.

“We are looking at the islands now because that is interconnected even if you look at the other depletion of natural resources now even the land base resources.

“We can learn a lot from all of that so that is our aim.”

The Under-Secretary-General said that by hosting the conference in Samoa the United Nations hopes a further step will be taken towards mobilising the international community, mobilising international support and mobilise multi-stakeholders.

“Everybody at the global level are now realising that,” he said.

The reason these issues must be discussed globally is because of what he called “anthropocene”.

According to anthropocene.org, anthropocene means every living thing affects its surroundings, but humanity is now influencing every aspect of the earth on a scale akin to the great forces of nature.

“There are now so many of us, using so many resources, that we’re disrupting the grand cycles of biology, chemistry and geology by which elements like carbon and nitrogen circulate between land, sea and atmosphere,” the website reads.

“We’re changing the way water moves around the globe as never before.

“Almost all the planet’s ecosystems bear the marks of our presence.”

Mr. Acharya said at one point, humans were at the receiving end of the evolution of the world.

“But now we are creating defining the future of the world for the first time in the history,” he said.

“It was always something else that defined the earth, but now our activities by doing something or by not doing it we are the most defining features of the evolutionary process…by way of all the activities we are doing.”

He said this is why multi stakeholder processes are critical the private sector plays a very important role the civil society plays a very important role academia, the government obviously because of the rules and regulations and the media for example the youth media, women all of that

“All have to work together because it is about changing our thinking, then the way of life and then ultimately binging on long term change,” he said.

“That won’t happen tomorrow…you really need a long term commitment.”

“To improve economic development, small islands need to encourage young people in taking up science because to tackle all these issues in over fishing and climate change, they all have science involved”

Young people from all corners of the globe who are in Samoa for the third Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S) conference are all fired up.

For many of them, it took several days to get to Samoa and now that they are finally here, they are not interested in wasting time.

Representing the Caribbean and originally from Jamaica is Nicole Webley. Based in Paris, she is participating in the S.I.D.S, T.A.L.A.V.O.U Youth Forum being held at the To’oa Salamasina hall.

Ms. Webley, who is an Assistant Programme Specialist for U.N.E.S.C.O is looking at the issues being discussed at S.I.D.S from a scientific perspective. She believes that the challenges faced by small islands relate back to science.

“In the S.I.D.S conference most of the issues talked about is climate change, biodiversity, over fishing and all of that,” she said.

“To improve economic development, small islands need to encourage young people in taking up science because to tackle all these issues in over fishing and climate change, they all have science involved.

“We want young people not to be afraid of taking up science.”

Ms. Webley believes that if more young people are encouraged to pursue careers in science “it would empower countries locally to build their own resources and to tackle the challenges”.

She said young people are the future, they are the resources.

Not far from Jamaica is Dominican Republic where Gina Rosario comes from.

Dominican Republic is right next to Haiti. Similar to Samoa, Ms. Rosario said the weather is no difference from her country.

“Right now (in D.R) we are in 32 degrees Celsius,” she said.

What are some of the issues that the representative is putting on the top of her list?

Ms. Rosario said she believes that the most important issue for them is climate change.

“We are a small island and we already experience climate change,” she said.

“Our beaches are eroding and sea level is rising with our forests being lit up with fire because of the heat.”

Ms. Rosario hopes to have their voices heard in the pre conference and the official conference next week.

On the other side of the Atlantic Ocean is Comoros where Anthoy Moussa is from.

Comoros is a country in AIMS region, a country next to Madagascar.

Mr. Moussa identified three main issues from his country that he is here to push.

A teacher at one of the University in Comoros, Mr. Moussa said water is a major problem in his country. There are also issues of renewable energy and biodiversity.

“Water is important in our country because we have very difficult access to it,” he said.

“To transport water to our homes a person has to travel about two hours and thirty minutes in order to get to water.

“You would be lucky if you have a car but if not then you would have to travel that distance until you get there.”

The university teacher said that his country also has a rich biodiversity and some species like coelacanth a kind of fish “is threatened by human activities” and getting extinct.

Representatives of our neighboring country of Fiji islands were also at the forum.

Peter Keane Senavanua has a different priority from the Caribbean countries.

Mr. Senavanua said his focus is on inclusiveness of young people.

What he means by that is he wishes to press forward issues with young people that includes people with disabilities.

An employee for National Youth Council of Fiji, Mr. Senavanua said “in Fiji we are slowly progressing” in terms of including people with disabilities.

“We want to get them involved and get them employment,” he said.

“I’m here to look at that and see what I can take back.”

There were more than a hundred participants in the Youth Forum yesterday.

One of their tasks was to work in groups and to take note of issues they want to address.

A three-day specialised training programme in the management of oil spills has culminated in the spectacular deployment of a containment boom around the Pacific Jewel cruise ship.

The ship is docked in Apia Harbour for the United Nations Conference on Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S).

The oil spill response training has been undertaken through a partnership between the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment

Programme (S.P.R.E.P), Maritime New Zealand and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (A.M.S.A).

The training programme, facilitated by experts from all three organisations, has covered a variety of different topics including the causes of oil spills and their impact on environmental and human health.

A particular emphasis has been on the management of the specialty equipment used in oil spill response and containment - such as the boom that was deployed yesterday.

One of the training instructors, Scott Reed from Maritime New Zealand, has praised the enthusiasm of the 23 participants who represent a variety of different local agencies including the Samoa Ports Authority; Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure; Petroleum Product Supplies; Samoa Shipping Corporation; Maritime Police; and the Fire Emergency Service Authority.

“You can tell from the questions and the feedback that there’s a high level of enthusiasm and investment from this group of participants,” he said.

“They’re always looking for ways to improve on their current practices and have been very proactive in coming up with ideas of how they could use local solutions for oil spill response - for example by stringing together drums to act as a containment boom or to use coconut husks as an absorbent to help mop up spills.”

S.P.R.E.P’s Marine Pollution Officer, Scott Willson, currently on secondment from AMSA, explains that the practical experience of deploying such a large containment boom around the Pacific Jewel has been invaluable for the participants:

“This was a fantastic opportunity for our team to get first-hand experience of deploying a 500 metre boom around a vessel. And considering it was the first attempt for a lot of them they’ve done a terrific job! We want to thank all the agencies involved in allowing us to deploy the boom - particularly the Samoan Ports Authority and the Pacific Jewel.”

Tufuga Fagaloa Tufuga, C.E.O of the Samoa Ports Authority, has emphasised that there is no actual oil spill from the Pacific Jewel, and that the exercise is purely for training purposes:

“This exercise has been planned for some time to enhance and refresh the skills of relevant staff. It goes without saying that we hope to not have to use these skills in an emergency situation.”

“Members of the public should be comforted by the knowledge that we have locally-based, expertly trained staff to deal with potential oil spills if the situation arises. We are grateful that S.P.R.E.P, A.M.S.A and Maritime New Zealand have been able to assist us with this valuable training.”

The specially designed boom placed around the Pacific Jewel is one of several that have been loaned to Samoa by the Australian Government as the result of the ongoing partnership between S.P.R.E.P and A.M.S.A and at the request of

Samoa’s Ministry of Water, Transport and Infrastructure.

The deployment of the boom around the Pacific Jewel is just one component of a wider body of waste management activities being undertaken by S.P.R.E.P in support of the Samoan Government and the UN Conference on S.I.D.S.

Two other rubbish containment booms have been set up on the Vaisigano and Mulivai rivers over the past week. Other activities have included an extensive waste audit, river clean-up and the provision of bins and collection services to the

S.I.D.S conference venue.

We will plant trees to offset carbon emissions is the voice of support from the Pacific Organic and Ethical Community (POETCom).

POETCom co-ordinator, Karen Mapusua, yesterday arrived in Samoa to participate in the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States.

“We are an organic agricultural organization that believes in sustainable productions systems and diversity and trees are an important part of sustainable systems, particularly when we are thinking about adaptation to climate change,” says Mapusua.

“We are in full support of the Offset ISLANDS 2014 campaign and the awareness the Samoa Observer and Women in Business Development are raising.”

She says POETCom is holding a side event, entitled Organic Islands, at the conference on Thursday, September 4.

The topics to be discussed include how organic agriculture can contribute to sustainable development, food security, environmental sustainability, people’s health and livelihoods.

“Ideally our attendees will be able to plant trees after Organic Islands if that is possible but with Women in Business Development’s nursery nearby, I’m sure something can be arranged.”

Chef and author Robert Oliver, who wrote the Mea’ai Samoa – Recipes from the Heart of Polynesia book and is the star of TV show Real Pasifik, will also be speaking at the POETCom event about local food systems and how they can be connected to markets and improve local diets.

Organic Islands attendees will also be given samples of organic products from Women in Business Development.

Mapusua says there POETCom has farmer members in 13 Pacific Island countries and there will five countries including Tonga, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Fiji and of course Samoa, represented at the SIDS meeting. The president of the

International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements, Andre Leu, will also be participating at SIDS.

POETCom is the governance body of the organics movement in the Pacific. It is housed at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

A major UN conference in Samoa will spend very little time on a key report, summing up what the members agree is important.

That report – known as an outcomes document - has already been agreed to by the members, even before the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States opens next week.

“Normally … the delegates will burn midnight oil on the possible consensus on the final document. But this is a different case altogether, unprecedented,” says Wu Hongbo, Secretary-General of the S.I.D.S conference.

“So this time we will concentrate on the partnerships that will really bring results on the ground.”

“I expect there are some very good partnerships and projects to be announced after this conference.”

A wide range of organisations, ranging from small community groups to large international bodies, and the funding bodies with the money to support various proposals, are joining S.I.D.S.

Here are some of them arriving at the venue yesterday.

The Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Fa’amoetauloa Dr. Faale Tumaali’i, has called on participants of S.I.D.S to “reach a consensus and agree to an overarching network to monitor” what he described as a “new phenomenon.”

The Minister was referring to the issue of Ocean Acidification when he spoke during pre-S.I.D.S conference attended by leading international ocean scientists and policy experts in Apia.

Held on the Pacific Jewel cruise ship at Apia Harbour yesterday, the event was to help participants better understand the threat of ocean acidification to the Pacific.

“There can be no doubt that OA is a global problem with the same root causes - as Climate Change -- i.e. Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions,” said Fa’amoetauloa.

“OA is a new phenomenon to SIDS and perhaps the scientific community as evident from the lack of information on it in the literature plus the fact that scientific researches on monitoring OA and its impact assessment are fairly new.”

According to the Minister, an acidic ocean will reduce the ability of marine shell forming species such as coral reefs, plankton and shellfish to sustain healthy life.

“As a result, this will impact negatively on the locals’ livelihoods, commercial fisheries and tourism.”

He said yesterday’s meeting happened at a “most opportune time to highlight the urgent need to strengthen our national capacity for rehabilitating, protecting and conserving our threatened marine ecosystem and its rich resources.”

The Minister said Samoa believes that genuine and durable partnerships are necessary in efforts to mitigate against the impacts of climate change and ocean acidification.

“With the support of our development partners, efforts are concentrated on the concept of green growth as a driver to transition to green economy."

“Samoa is doing its fair share of addressing the emerging problem of Ocean Acidification.

To name some; A concerted effort by Samoa’s Energy Sector to shift from conventional energy source such as fossil fuels to renewable energy or green-clean energy has materialized."

“Also work has being done to rehabilitate, protect and conserve Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) e.g. our mangrove forest as breeding grounds for specific fish species such as mullet.

There is also work done on reforestation as an important sink for greenhouse gases.”

US Embassy chargé d’affaires Marie Damour says US Secretary of State John Kerry’s ‘Our Ocean’ conference in June highlighted ocean acidification as a key threat to the world’s oceans.

“The workshop, in addition to coming up with practical solutions for the challenge of ocean acidification in the Pacific, showcases the strong partnership between the US and New Zealand on oceans and science issues,” she says.

“As Minister Steven Joyce highlighted this week, the United States is New Zealand’s most significant research and technology partner.”

Dr. Todd Capson, an American oceans scientist and science and policy adviser to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership in Washington DC, says ocean acidification is real.

“There’s really no debate that it’s happening. It’s simple chemistry,” he said.

“Worldwide, oceans have absorbed more than a quarter of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere since the beginning of the industrial revolution. We’ve seen a 30-40per cent increase in the acidity of our oceans, and it’s hurting.”