Vanuatu

The 34th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, was told that Indonesia has not curtailed or halted various widespread violations.

Vanuatu's Justice Minister Ronald Warsal was speaking on behalf of his country and six other Pacific nations: Tonga, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands, and Solomon Islands

Hosts Tahiti take on current table leaders New Caledonia on the second day of Group A action in the OFC U-17 Championship in Papeete, Tahiti on 14 February.

Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu will open the day of action as they both fight for their first points in the competition at 4pm (local time).

Although their 3-2 loss to New Caledonia was heart-breaking for Papua New Guinea coach Harrison Kamake, he remains focussed on staying constructive and tweaking the side’s weaknesses.

“We are playing Vanuatu and they definitely are a good team,” he said.

The orientation sessions at APTC campuses in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu on January 16 and 17, provided valuable information to new students on APTC facilities, student support services, regulations, and their responsibilities.

APTC is an innovative development program funded by the Australian Government, delivering internationally-recognised Australian skills and qualifications for a wide range of vocational careers for skilled workers across the Pacific.

Last last week, for the first time, frozen albacore tuna was off-loaded at Port Vila's main wharf before being transported to the Chinese-funded fish packing plant at Black Sands.

The Daily Post reports that with the assistance of United States surveillance vessels, the Vanuatu government is committed to having all Vanuatu-flagged fishing vessels unload their catches from the country's Exclusive Economic Zone in Port Vila.

The paper says Bumblebee is in discussion about building a plant in Vanuatu.

RNZ reports Van2017 officials met with the representatives from the Pacific Games Council and the 13 national sporting federations taking part in the Mini Games in Port Vila last week to hear more about plans for the sports programme at the Games next December.

CEO Clint Flood said they needed to make sure that on the day, the teams from all the countries would be able to compete and do their best.

"It's the most important job we have," said Flood.

A tour of the Korman Stadium site, under construction with the support of the Chinese Government, was also conducted. 

Last week’s meetings follow on from President Lakhan’s last visit to Port Vila in May where the PGC General Assembly was conducted.  At that time, the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Charlot Salwai, publicly at the General Assembly and privately to President Lakhan, reaffirmed the Vanuatu Government’s commitment to hosting the 2017 Pacific Mini Games.

With an absolute showdown against the big crowd at the Port Villa stadium, the U20 men fail to make it through as they go down against the favorites on their home soil under a spot of rain that made the pitch a bit greasy underfoot.

Regardless of the weather, PNG made their first attempt seven minutes into the game when Alu AWI tries his luck from a very tight angle but can't beat Vanuatu’s goalkeeper Willy Dick was too good for the shot.

After several attempts nothing separating the sides as they went into the break scoreless.

New Caledonia topped the pool by defeating Papua New Guinea 4-1, while Vanuatu edged defending champions Fiji 1-0 in the other match on Saturday and should they both win again against Fiji and Papua New Guinea respectively they would wrap up the top two places with a game to spare.

Confirming a place in the final four of the eight nation is a step closer to qualifying for next year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup, which for the first time welcomes two teams from the OFC qualifying tournament, specifically the winners of each semi-final.

This will be their chance to get their campaign back on track after going down to New Caledonia 4-1 on Saturday.

Coach Peter Gunemba is taking confidence from their first half effort against their game with New Caledonia on the weekend as he calls for greater concentration from his players to convert a winning position into three points if they get the opportunity.

“Perhaps in the first half of the game with New Caledonia the players were too confident and thought the game was won after scoring the first goal to lead 1-0 at break,” Gunemba said.

RNZ reports the assurance was given by China's ambassador to Vanuatu, Liu Quan, when he met the prime minister Charlot Salwai, the minister of sports Jack Norris and senior government officials at the construction site.

Mr Salwai's delegation heard from the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) construction company that work will be completed in October next year.

Currently, the CCECC employs 30 ni-Vanuatu but the number is expected to reach 80.