TUVALU-NEWS.TV

Hon. Matia Toafa(come from NANUMEA island) was elected as a Prime Minister of Tuvalu by election in September 2010. Hereafter, he is going to lead Tuvalu for 4 years. I interviewed to him about his general-policy.

"This government strains　for　well-balanced proper　development　of　Tuvalu.　It is important to be based　on　the　traditional　politics of Tuvalu,　but should not to be　a　slave of conventions. We should have Tuvaluan identity with a global view point. Myself, I want to be a good leader of Tuvalu.

The most important thing is to preserve and improve people’s life. We must work for human security ensuring the basic human needs. Besides that, we must stands on for freedom of speech and religious for their fulfilled life. . Then people can accept and expect to their government and their leader. I believe that good leader and good government are supported by people’s acceptance and expectations.

Regarding domestic politics, I’ll try my best to secure the human rights of movement of outer islands' residents. It is important to build up the economic infrastructure to all 9 islands equally and immediately.
I appreciate that Japan supported infrastructural development such as a power plant, a wharf, a hospital in Funafuti, capital island of Tuvalu. Regarding a power plant, Japan supports the fuel to operate the plant every year, as well. Not only Funafuti, the wharf in Vaitupu island was also built by Japanese cooperation. People in Vaitupu rejoice from their hearts to the indispensable wharf. I would really like to express my gratitude to Japan.

Regarding diplomatic politics, the donor countries such as Japan is very important for small country like Tuvalu. I would like to make the stronger and continuous relationship with Japan and other donor countries such as New Zealand, Australia, Republic China and EU. . Besides that, we have to strengthen the capacity of government to build the new partnerships.

Finally, some scientists say Tuvalu will sink in the future. It shouldn’t be happened. Losing our land means losing our identity. I will work aggressively on the world society to protect small countries that are said to be vulnerable to Climate Change and the sea-level-rise . I believe, if the world society will take the proper way, Tuvalu will not disappear and Tuvaluan identity never be lost."

Prime Minister’s strong message with pride and identity as one of Tuvaluan holds our expectations toward the new Tuvalu government.

On October 16th, Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting Ministerial Interim Meeting (henceforth: PALMMIM) was held in Tokyo, Japan to follow up the results of the 5th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM5) and to prepare for the coming 6th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM6) in Nago city in Okinawa on 25th and 26th of May, 2011. This interim meeting was 　the first trial that ministerial-level people gathered from 16 countries and regions. Hon. Enele Sopoaga, Minister of Environment, Foreign affairs and Labor, attended that meeting as Tuvalu delegation.

I interviewed to Hon. Enele Sopoaga about PALMMIM and also COP16 that will be held on the end of November in Cancun, Mexico.

“At first, I would really like to express my gratitude for the big support of Japan to Pacific island countries, especially the supports for the Climate Change to Tuvalu.
Although PALMMIM was the new challenge, feel it was significant meeting since Japan mentioned that the future supports to Pacific island countries should be clearer, flexible and quickly one. Especially, the flexibility is very needed, because governments of some Pacific island don’t have enough capacities to submit the appropriate requests to get grant aid It is very grateful that we could share the Pacific islands’ special conditions in this occasion. Without PALMMIM, we could not get this big progress for the future in cooperative relationship between Japan and Pacific island countries.
In the PALMMIM we discussed about the coming PALM6. I am satisfied with the discussions. We had the agenda, the youth exchange program to make the stronger relationship between Japan and Pacific island countries . I would like to commit expanding this program to　the ministerial-level exchange. . I would like Mr. Seiji Maehara, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and Ms. Makiko Kikuta, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, to visit to Tuvalu near future.”

Regarding COP16 on the end of November in Cancun, Mexico;

“Unfortunately, We didn’t get any satisfied results from COP15 in Copenhagen. Pacific island countries, especially Tuvalu, are actually affected by the increasing intensity of cyclones, coastal erosion which is considered to be occurred by the sea-level rise. There is no time left to us. Nevertheless, developed countries such as Japan are talking about restructuring the framework of Kyoto Protocol. They should leave it and add postscripts if it is necessary, and make an effort to win BRICS over to our side.
Regarding the contents of the present Kyoto Protocol, we need quick-acting medicine. . We do not have a moment to lose.
I want strongly to convince world society that “now is the time to take action”.

Tuvalu is seeking the resolve that leads to the effective activities for our future into the COP16 on November.

10th of October in 1970, the Republic of Fiji became independent as the 30th Dominion of Britain. It was the first independence in South Pacific.
10th of October is called “FIJI DAY” and Fiji community in Tuvalu celebrated this day in Funafuti, the capital of Tuvalu.
The big event was hold on 9th and 10th of October with Fijian, who lives in Tuvalu, their families and their Tuvaluan friends.
Ceremony was opened with drinking kava in the Fijian traditional way, and a master explained about the history of the independence of Fiji. They raised the national flag and sung a national anthem next.
Followed to the ceremony, they had lunch all together, drunk kava and enjoyed playing volleyball. After the dinner, they still kept drinking kava until at late night celebrating FIJI DAY with love to their motherland.
On 10th, after the morning service, they had a lunch all together. In the afternoon, they elected the next Fijian community leader and closed their FIJI DAY.

5th of October, Total(Yu-Chuan Wu) who is dispatched by Taiwan ICDF(International Cooperation and Development Fund) came back to Funafuti. She spent her vacation in Taiwan from the end of August in 2010.

She started her activity in Funafuti from September 2009 to solve the problem of waste management in Tuvalu. Regarding to waste management in Tuvalu, especially in Funafuti, the problem is very serious. Management can’t catch up to the speed of economical development. We can see the garbage dump expanding in Funafuti.
Originally, there were 3 other volunteers (tourism, IT, veterinary) and they were also supposed to stay in Tuvalu for 2 years. However, they shortened their duration and went back to Taiwan in August 2010.

On the 1st October, 1978, Mr.Toaripi Lauti who became the first PM led Tuvalu to be independent from Britain.
1st of October in 2010, the 32nd Independence Day ceremony was held in Funafuti, a capital of Tuvalu. Since it was just after the government reformation, the ceremony was brilliant with new leaders.
This time ceremony was outstanding for their simple but powerful speeches which showed the character of new government. Hon. Enele Sopoaga, Minister of Foreign affairs, Environment and Labor, advised to cut out the verbose parts to convey their messages. That’s why they corrected all the speeches just before starting the ceremony. Through this ceremony, we could expect bright future of this government.
1st to 4th of October are holiday of independence day in Tuvalu.

On the 10th of October in 1912, Sun Wen who is called “Revolutionary Father of China” declared establishment of the Republic of China(henceforth:ROC). In ROC, this day is regarded as the first year of democratic nation. In 2010, they see 99th anniversary come round.
8th of October in 2010, embassy of ROC in Tuvalu celebrated 99th anniversary of their National Day at the state-run hotel in Funafuti. At the ceremony, His Excellency Larry, new ambassador, said; ”Over the 99years, ROC rapidly developed in politically and economically. We wish that Tuvalu’s brilliant future as the same islander, and also we would like to support the development of Tuvalu especially in the field of fisheries, medical and agriculture.”
After the speeches, students of USP (University of South Pacific) and Taiwanese student showed their traditional dances.
Fresh vegetables from Taiwanese garden in Funafuti were distributed to attendants as the gift at the end of the party.

On September 30th, His Excellency Larry R.L. Tseng, New ambassador of the Republic of China (henceforth:ROC), arrived with his wife and his second son.
He succeeded His Excellency James C.K. Tian who had been in Tuvalu for 2years from 2008. His Excellency Larry is expected to stay in Tuvalu for 4 years.

Tuvalu and ROC have maintained their friendly relations since long time ago. Tuvalu government building and the state-run Vaiaku Lagi Hotel were also built by a support from ROC.

Furthermore ex-ambassador His Excellency James donated 500 Mangrove seeds to Tuvalu Overview’s Mangrove Plantation Project in Funafala when he was in the post.
I wish His Excellency Larry’s increasing success and his wife and son’s happy life in Tuvalu.

On the 30th of September, 2010, the member of new government of Tuvalu was announced.
Names and Islands of the member of new parliament and their posts as below.

Matia Toafa (Nanumea : Prime Minister)
Isaia Taeia Italeli (Nui : Speaker)
Monise Laafai (Nanumaga : Finance and Economic Planning)
Willy Telavi (Nanumaga : Home affairs)
Fauoa Maani (Niutao : Health)
Veete Palakua Sakaio (Niutao : Works, Natural Resources and Tourism)
Enele Sopoaga (Nukufetau : Foreign affairs, Environment and Labor)
Namoliki Sualiki (Nukulaelae : Education, Youth and Sports)
Taukelina Taui Finikaso (Vaitupu : Communication, Transport and Fisheries)

Kamuta Latasi (Funafuti)
Kausea Natano (Funafuti)
Falesa Pitoi (Nanumaga)
Toam Tanukale (Nui)
Lotoala Metia (Nukufetau)
Apisai Ielemia (Vaitupu)