The WHO is set to address the concerning link between rising drug use and increasing HIV infections, particularly among high-risk groups. Photo/Supplied Photo: Supplied
Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands Ministry of Health says 34 new HIV cases have been recorded in the country, bringing the cumulative total to 79.
Of these 34 new cases, 25 are men and nine are women.
The Solomon Star reported this data coming from Health Minister Dr Paul Popora Bosawai, speaking at an event to mark World Aids Day.
Regionally, neighboring countries, Fiji and PNG have seen huge surges in HIV cases.
Dr Bosawai said Solomon Islands is at high risk of importing more HIV cases, owing to people's frequent travels to Fiji and PNG.
He said the country needs to strengthen prevention, testing/screening and treatment strategies.
Tonga
The first candidate to be the country's next prime minister has officially put their nomination in.
Interim speaker Lord Tangi'o Vaonukonuka said nominations will be kept secret until the country's 26 elected representatives meet on 15 December to vote on their preferred leader by secret ballot.
Nominations can be made until this Friday, 12 December.
The successful candidate then picks a cabinet which must be approved and appointed by the King.
Papua New Guinea/Australia/Indonesia
Defence Ministers from Indonesia and Australia met with their PNG counterpart in Port Moresby last week to discuss developing their trilateral partnership.
PNG's Dr Billy Joseph hosted Australia's Richard Marles and Indonesia's Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin for their inaugural Trilateral Defence Ministers' Meeting.
According to a statement from Marles, they discussed ways to enhance cooperation in maritime domain awareness, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and aviation best practice.
The move towards increased co-operation between the three countries follows Australia's recent moves to elevate its bilateral security ties with the other two countries.
Fiji
Assistant director of fisheries Nanise Tuqiri says a controverial fisheries management option for South Pacific albacore would push the stock, and Pacific economies, in the wrong direction.
Tuqiri issued the warning to the members of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, at their meeting in Manila.
She said the Commission must decide whether it wants "a fishery that improves catch rates, strengthens vulnerable biomass and restores profitability" or one that locks in years of poor performance.
She said the controversial HCR-10 option "moves us further in the wrong direction by increasing catch at a time when stock is not improving".
Pacific
South Korea is to hold talks with diplomats and officials from Pacific Islands countries next week in Seoul.
According to the Korea Times, the talks will feature representatives from all 18 member countries and territories of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Discussion will reportedly include looking at ways to promote cooperation in various fields, including climate change, fishery and personnel exchanges.
A feature of the talks will be the sixth Korea/Pacific Islands foreign ministers' meeting on Tuesday, which Peter Shannel of Solomon Islands is to co-host with his South Korean counterpart Cho Hyun.
Palau
Philippine Airlines (PAL) has announced that it will launch direct services to Palau next year.
The Philippine News Agency reported that the twice-weekly services from Manila to Koror are to begin on 29 March.
Flights from Manila are scheduled every Wednesday and Sunday, while flights from Palau will operate every Monday and Thursday.
PAL said the flights will stimulate tourism on Palau, and complements PAL's existing Western Pacific service to Guam.
The carrier will use the 199-seater dual-class Airbus A321ceo for the new route.
