Topic: RMINews

RMI President's Office Reports on Taiwan Visit

Republic of the Marshall Islands President Litokwa Tomeing and delegation traveled to Taiwan earlier this month to attend the 40th General Assembly of the Asian-Pacific Parliamentarians' Union.

President Tomeing visited with his host counterpart ROC President Ma Ying-jeou on August 11 at the Presidential Office in Taipei. The presidents discussed mutual affairs, including vocational training, communication technology, and energy related programs aimed at further strengthening the mutual relationship, reported Marshall Islands officials.

MORE:

• Statement of RMI President Litokwa Tomeing before APPU Assembly
• President Ma Meets Marshall Islands President Litokwa Tomeing

President Ma Meets Marshall Islands President Litokwa Tomeing

President Ma Ying-jeou met with the Republic of the Marshall Islands President Litokwa Tomeing and Mrs. Tomeing at the Presidential Office on the morning of August 11. The president, on behalf of the government of the ROC, extended a cordial welcome to President and Mrs. Tomeing on their visit here. The two leaders exchanged opinions on a broad range of issues, including how to expand interaction and cooperation between the two countries in the future.

ADB, Marshall Islands Fisheries Forum Calls for Changes in Managing Pacific Tuna Industry

The first regional symposium on commercial tuna fishing industry called for reforms to resources management that will help Pacific countries attain more economic benefits.

Data compiled by regional fisheries agencies and presented to "The Future of Our Fisheries" symposium showed Pacific nations receive less than 2% of total revenues gained from regional tuna fishing.

Marshall Islands: Taiwan Delivers 3rd Quarter Annual Grant

Ambassador Bruce J. D. Linghu of the Republic of China (Taiwan) presented a check in the amount of TWO MILLION AND SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND US DOLLARS (US$2,750,000.00) to Hon. John M. Silk, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Hon. Jack Ading, Minister of Finance at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 27, 2009 at 14:30 PM. The donation ceremony was witnessed by Herbert Hsu, Counselor of the ROC (Taiwan) Embassy and other RMI officials.

Marshall Islands Minister of Justice Addresses Public and Business Concerns

Public safety issues and Republic of the Marshall Islands labor laws were forefront in Friday's Chamber of Commerce Forum in Majuro. Chamber Vice President Mike Slinger introduced the focus session with RMI Minister of Justice David Kramer and Police Commissioner George Lanwi.

Concerns about uncontrolled dogs on city streets, smuggling problems, jail conditions and the need for more boat and police patrols were included in questions submitted in advance to Minister Kramer. His answers were supplied in writing and are provided verbatim in the following transcript by Secretary James McLean. The verbal answers, where different, are noted.

Marshall Islands: Taiwan Ambassador Hosts Luncheon for Micronesian VIP's

The Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) hosted a luncheon in Majuro on Tuesday for the visiting Micronesian Summit guests. As Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Ambassador Bruce J.D. Linghu welcomed the delegations from Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and RMI.

The Marshall Islands is host nation for the 11th Micronesian Chief Executives’ Summit (MCES), July 13-15, and the 9th Micronesia Presidents’ Summit (MPS), from July 16-17.

UN Rep Presents Credentials to Marshall Islands President

The head of the Fiji based United Nations agencies; Mr Knut Ostby met and presented his credentials on Tuesday, June 6, 2009, to the President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Honourable Litokwa Tomeing. Also present at the event were members of the RMI Cabinet.

Representing 10 countries in the region including RMI and in his capacity as the new UN Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, Mr Ostby’s visit is to meet the Marshallese Government officials as well as look at existing projects.

ALSO:

• Marshall Islands: Speech on the Launch of the RMI Reproductive Health Report

Speech on the Launch of the Republic of the Marshall Islands' Reproductive Health Report

Statement of Mr Knut Orsby, UN Resident Representative on behalf of UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund Launch of the RMI Reproductive Health Commodity Security Status Assessment Report, on Wednesday, June 17, 2009, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI):

Reproductive Health Report Launched in Marshall Islands

The United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator, Knut Ostby launched the Reproductive Health Commodity Security status assessment report in the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) on June 17, 2009, in the presence of Government officials, UN officials, the local Youth to Youth group and the media.

Taiwan Donation Promotes Marshall Islands' IT Capacity-building

As Francisco Ou, Special Envoy and Foreign Minister of the Republic of China (Taiwan) announced on the occasion of the Republic of the Marshall Islands' 30th Constitutional Day Celebration, Taiwan is donating a wide-variety of computer equipment valued at about USD $80,000.

The “E-Government Project” is set to bring 20 sets of PC, one printer, one projector, broadcasting system and other auxiliary equipments to the RMI Government, enhancing technical cooperation between the two countries.

Marshall Islands Lions Roar into their Third Year

As the Lions Club of the Marshall Islands concludes its second year, members are reflecting on another year of successful service to their community. The Club opened the year with an ambitious project to provide eyeglasses absolutely free of charge to needy persons of the community who need corrective lenses but could not afford them.

According to President Samuel L. Smith, the Lions received invaluable assistance from other community groups. KAJLE, WUTMI, Majuro Bowl, Majuro Clinic and Youth to Youth in Health served as screening stations for applicants for glasses, and the optometrist at OPTICARE and Eyesight Professionals conducted eye exams free of charges. DHL, PII and the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) also provided much needed assistance, insuring the success of the program.

Marshall Islands Reports Fiscal Reform Progress, Requests Assistance

The Republic of the Marshall Islands' Minister of Finance was one of 3,500 participants at the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) 42nd Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors held May 2-5 in Bali, Indonesia. On Sunday morning, Minister Jack J. Ading met with ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda.

The RMI Minister reported that since the last bilateral meeting, a year ago in Madrid, the Marshall Islands has cleared all recent loan arrears with the Bank. A Country Operations Business Plan (COBP) and a CAP Advisory Group have been established.

• ADB MEETING: Statement by Republic of Marshall Islands Minister of Finance Jack Ading

Marshall Islands Represented in AOSIS Tour of Germany

Twenty ambassadors to the United Nations are in Germany this week at the invitation of Federal Foreign Office. The ambassadors "Alliance of Small Island States" (AOSIS) are visiting Germany for the first time. Five Pacific nations are reported to be represented in the fact-finding tour: the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Nauru, the Independent State of Samoa, the Republic of Vanuatu, and the Republic of Kiribati.

Taiwan Sends Envoy to Marshall Islands Constitution Day

At the invitation of Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) President Litokwa Tomeing, President Ying-jeou Ma of the Republic of China (Taiwan) appointed ROC Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco Ou as his Special Envoy to attend the 30th Anniversary Celebration of RMI Constitution Day.

Special Envoy Ou, accompanied by his wife, Mme. Ou, and his delegation, are scheduled to arrive in Majuro on April 30. The national day of remembrance for the founding of the RMI Constitution is May 1. The island-wide celebration will include sporting events, a parade, and special programs throughout the weekend.

MORE:

• Taiwan Medical Mission Mobilizes to Marshall Islands
• Marshall Islands: 2nd Quarter of 2009 ROC (Taiwan) Annual Grant

Marshall Islands: 2nd Quarter of 2009 ROC (Taiwan) Annual Grant

Ambassador Bruce J. D. Linghu of the Republic of China (Taiwan) presented a check in the amount of TWO MILLION AND SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND US DOLLARS (US$2,750,000.00) to Hon. John Silk, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Hon. Jack Ading, Minister of Finance at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 22, 2009 at 14:00 PM. The donation ceremony was witnessed by Herbert Hsu, First Secretary of the ROC (Taiwan) Embassy, Secretary Kino Kabua and Undersecretary Keyoka Kabua of Foreign Affairs and other RMI officials.