LONDON, 25 MAY 2020 (COMSEC) — With abundant sun, sea and sand, tourism is the economic lifeblood of many small island developing states (SIDS). While they are not the countries that bring in the most income from tourism –the United States generated US$214.5billion in 2018 – SIDS are by far the most economically dependent on […]
Category: Opinion
Posted inOpinion
Coronavirus lockdown cut energy-related CO2 emissions 17 percent, study finds
BONN, 21 MAY 2020 (CLIMATE HOME) — Daily carbon dioxide emissions from energy use and heavy industry fell by 17 percent globally in early April, under peak coronavirus lockdown, scientists have estimated. As governments restricted travel to curb the spread of Covid-19, emissions from aviation were slashed by up to 75 percent and road transport […]
Posted inOpinion
Omereng el Saul el Kirel a CROSS Act (HB No. 10-133-14, HD1, SD1, RPPL 10-56)
Dear Palau Leadership 2016-2020: We, as citizens of Palau who actively exercise our constitutional rights not only for ourselves but also on behalf of those needing a voice to channel their pleas to you our elected Leaders, hereby take this opportunity to THANK YOU for your efforts in expediting the Coronavirus Relief One Stop Shop […]
Posted inOpinion
To bubble or not to bubble – there are Pacific questions
SYDNEY, 18 MAY 2020 (GRIFFITH ASIA INSTITUTE)—It should not come as a surprise to learn that there have been mixed responses from Pacific leaders and communities about the idea of including their countries in an expanded Trans-Tasman travel bubble. These responses reflect a number of things: there are economic concerns, political preoccupations and social anxieties […]
Posted inOpinion
COVID-19 pandemic may give Asia-Pacific’s oceans a chance to recover, highlights new UN report
Bangkok (ESCAP news) – The well-being of oceans in the Asia-Pacific region are edging closer to a tipping point due to the unprecedented pace of marine pollution, overfishing and climate change in recent years. However, a new report released today by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) suggests that the […]
Posted inOpinion
Coordinated response critical to recovery of Pacific Island aviation and economies
MONTREAL,14 MAY 2020 (ICAO)— Stressing the heightened vulnerability of island societies to external shocks, ICAO Secretary General Dr Fang Liu explained to a videoconference of Pacific Islands Directors General this Monday that the same cooperation through ICAO which originally connected their States to the world will be integral to their air transport recoveries post COVID-19. […]