Month: December 2025

Source: Government of Western Samoa

[PRESS RELEASE Apia, Samoa – 5 December 2025]- The Central Bank of Samoa (CBS) is pleased to announce the official release of reprinted 50 and 100 Tala banknotes on polymer substrate, effective 8 December 2025.

This initiative reflects CBS’s commitment to improving the durability, security, and overall quality of Samoa’s currency. Polymer banknotes are globally recognized for their extended lifespan, advanced security features, and environmental benefits—offering greater protection against counterfeiting and reducing long-term replacement costs.

Key Features of the Polymer Upgrade:

• Retains the existing banknote designs, adapted for polymer material.

• Incorporates upgraded security elements for efficient authentication and machine processing.

• More inclusive as they feature tactile embossed security elements, making them easily identifiable for visually impaired individuals.

The introduction of polymer notes marks a significant step in modernizing Samoa’s currency, reinforcing its integrity while delivering secure and durable banknotes. The new notes will circulate alongside existing paper notes, which will remain legal tender until gradually withdrawn through the normal circulation process.

Environmental Impact:

Polymer banknotes last significantly longer than paper notes, reducing the frequency of replacements and minimizing resource consumption. Their durability means fewer notes are produced and disposed of over time, lowering waste and carbon emissions. Additionally, polymer notes are recyclable, supporting CBS’s commitment to sustainable practices and environmental responsibility.

December 8, 2025

Source: Government of Western Samoa

[PRESS RELEASE- Thursday, 4th December 2025]: At its meeting on the 3rd of December 2025, the Central Bank of Samoa (CBS) Board of Directors approved the continuation of the current Central Bank’s monetary policy stance for fiscal year 2025/2026. This is aimed at reducing the high level of excess liquidity in the financial system.

In making its decision, the Board considered the following updated outlook of the Samoan economy for the remainder of the fiscal year 2025/2026:

1. The main CBS objective of price stability is expected to be maintained. The headline inflation rate is expected to moderate within the 3.0 percent annual target, reaching 2.4 percent in June 2026, slightly lower than 2.6 percent in October 2025. Domestic food price increases are projected to slow down, while imported prices may rise slightly but subject to overall global prices for oil, food, and building materials, which will be driven by global demand conditions.

2. Economic growth will stay strong. Samoa’s economy is expected to grow by 5.0 percent, higher than the 3 percent to 4 percent medium-term goal. This will be supported by major public and private investment projects, higher government spending and a continued strengthening in the external sector.

3. Foreign reserves will remain more than adequate. Official government inflows, tourism revenues, and remittances (including seasonal worker income) will help lift foreign reserves to about SAT$1.7 billion, which will cover 15.9 months of goods—well above the minimum requirement of 4 months.

4. The financial system remains sound and highly liquid. Commercial banks continue to be well-capitalized, with good asset quality. The financial sector is expected to stay strong, supported by ongoing infrastructure reforms that aim to improve access to financial services.

5. As a result, the Central Bank’s monetary policy priority will be to continue reducing the high excess liquidity in the financial system through its open market operations. The issuance of all tenors of its Security papers, particularly the medium to longer-term maturities will be maintained. The Central Bank will also keep its official interest rate—currently 2.58 percent—within the target range of 2 percent to 3 percent over the medium term.

CBS acknowledges the presence of major downside risks in its economic outlook, especially external risks such as global trade tensions and geopolitical issues including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which could adversely drive up global commodity prices.

In view of this, the Central Bank will remain vigilant in monitoring such external developments and its impact on Samoa’s economy. Where appropriate and needed, the Central Bank will adjust its monetary policy stance accordingly.

December 8, 2025

Source: Government of Western Samoa

KEYNOTE REMARKS Minister of Education and Culture Hon. Aiono Alec Ekeroma

• Rev. Faapea Elia

• Your Excellencies and High Commissioners

• Partners & Sponsors of LIFE-Con Pacific

• Distinguished Guests

• Our Esteemed Designers

• The Various Artists – established and emerging

• Models

• The Fashion and Art industry

What an absolute honour to be addressing you today on this exciting occasion that is called, LIFE-Con Pacific!

Tonight, LIFE-Con Pacific is at its Season 8 – I believe last night was the Official Opening and an amazing Art Exhibition whilste tonight is the Finale and Runway showcase.

What a remarkable achievement for the event locally and also regionally.

The Government of Samoa’s vision in its overarching National Plan is – for its people to live in social harmony and have freedom for all. To allow this freedom for its people, means to ensure there is access to opportunities that will benefit them, through utilizing their talents and exploring all areas of interest.

To maximize these potentials and talents, we are grateful for this established platform, the LIFE Con Pacific Event, which brings many of these talents to life and many young and lifelong dreams a reality.

LIFE-Con Pacific – in its vision to be a platform to market, promote and elevate our cultural and creative industry – through its high-level production and marketing – is hailed for its continuous dedication to its mantra to date!

From the Government stand point, we have seen LIFE-Con Pacific’s commitment and dedication to this vision, creating and maintaining this platform over the years, to elevate our creative industry specifically the Fashion and Art components – and we are immensely proud of their continued drive.

That drive over the years by LIFE-Con Pacific Creators and the visibility of their work and platform has earned recognition from the Government, as this is an incredible private sector-led initiative to promote the cultural and art industry.

Moreover, the youth component of this event, being a youth-led event with a focus on promoting skills and talents of many young people over the years is undeniably one of the greatest aspects of LIFE-Con Pacific.

On the regional level, LIFE-Con Pacific, is one of the few events of its kind – that is now maturing and has flourished and withstood the journey to reach its 8th years since its inception.

We congratulate Leiataualesā Va’agi Kevin and his amazing Committee for the continuous commitment to ensure this is realized every year.

I also commend all the Designers and the Artists – whether established or emerging, locally based or from our neighboring islands, the various professionals and talents that altogether make LIFE-Con Pacific – you should be all proud!

This event is ALL ABOUT YOU and I now declare it officially opened!

December 8, 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Transport Department (TD) today (December 6) said that, following the reopening of some road sections in Tai Po, some affected franchised bus routes have resumed their original routings. 

(1) The section of Tai Po Road – Yuen Chau Tsai between Kwong Wang Street and Tolo Highway (Kowloon bound); (2) the section of Tai Po Road – Yuen Chau Tsai between Kwong Fuk Park and Marvelous Villa (both bounds); and (3) the slip road from Tolo Highway (Sheung Shui bound) to Tai Po Road – Yuen Chau Tsai previously closed due to the fire were reopened to all traffic last night (December 5). 

All affected bus routes on Tai Po bound have resumed their normal routings, but those on Kowloon bound remain diverted. Among them, KMB route Nos. 72, 72A, 73A and 74A resumed original routings via Tai Po Road – Yuen Chau Tsai and Tai Po Road – Tai Po Kau starting from their first departures today. 

The public should refer to the franchised bus operators’ website or mobile application for the latest information on their routes, and heed the latest traffic news through radio and TV broadcasts, the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk) and the HKeMobility mobile application before their journeys.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission:
 
     The Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC), Mr Justice David Lok, called on electors to vote in the 2025 Legislative Council General Election (LCGE) today (December 7).
 
     Mr Justice David Lok, along with EAC members Professor Daniel Shek and Mr Bernard Man, SC, visited the Central Command Centre and the Statistical Information Centre of the LCGE. They also inspected the Near Boundary Polling Station (NBPS) at Hong Kong International Airport Terminal 2, and the Ordinary Polling Stations located in different districts respectively this morning. Mr Justice Lok said the EAC observed that the operation of the polling stations is smooth.

As at 12.30pm, 536 527 electors for geographical constituencies (GCs) have voted, bringing the accumulative turnout rate to 12.99 per cent.
 
     Mr Justice Lok said, “A fire broke out in Tai Po at the end of last month. Like all Hong Kong citizens, the EAC witnessed the affected residents losing their loved ones and homes, and we are deeply saddened. Yet we believe that in this difficult time, it is even more important that electors should cast their votes in the LCGE to fulfill their civic responsibility in a serious manner and elect a new term of Legislative Council Members for them to carry out their crucial functions and meet the overall interests of Hong Kong.
 
     “I appeal to all electors across Hong Kong to make use of their sacred votes to elect the new Legislative Council and build a better Hong Kong that we call home together.”
 
     The polling hours for the Ordinary Polling Stations, the polling station of the Election Committee constituency (ECC), the three Dedicated Polling Stations set up at police stations and the NBPSs will be from 7.30am to 11.30pm. For the Dedicated Polling Stations set up at penal institutions, for security reasons, the polling hours will be from 9am to 4pm. For the Designated Polling Stations (namely the Civil Servant Designated Polling Stations, Hospital Authority Healthcare Staff Designated Polling Stations and Ethnic Minorities Designated Polling Stations) and Outreach Polling Stations for Residential Care Homes under the pilot arrangements, their polling hours are from 8.30am to 9.30pm, and from 8.30am to 6.30pm respectively.
 
     Electors can check the approximate waiting time of Ordinary Polling Stations, the ECC polling station and NBPSs on the election website (www.elections.gov.hk). Depending on the waiting time and their schedule, electors can make their own arrangements on when to vote.
 
     The ballot is autonomous and secret. Electors must mark their ballot papers on their own in the voting compartment. If in need, electors may ask for assistance from the polling staff. Electors must not disturb others during voting, nor use electronic communication devices, take photographs or make audio or video recordings in the polling stations. Canvassing, distribution of election advertisements or displaying propaganda materials are also prohibited inside polling stations.
 
     After the close of poll, a majority of the Ordinary Polling Stations will be changed to counting stations immediately for the counting of votes of GCs. For small polling stations of which less than 500 electors are assigned to vote, Dedicated Polling Stations, the ECC polling station, NBPSs, Designated Polling Stations and Outreach Polling Stations for Residential Care Homes, the GC ballot papers will be delivered to the ballot paper sorting station cum consolidated main counting stations at Kowloon Park Sports Centre for counting. The ballot boxes of all functional constituencies (FCs) and the ECC will be delivered to the Central Counting Station at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) for counting.
 
     For the GCs, upon completion of the count, the Presiding Officer of each counting station will make known the counting results to the candidates or their agents present. Upon verification of the counting results of all counting stations in a GC, the Registration and Electoral Office (REO) will notify the Returning Officer (RO) at the Central Counting Station at HKCEC of the overall counting result for the RO to sign and declare the election results at the Media Centre. As for the FCs and ECC, once the counting of votes is completed and the election results are verified by the Statistical Information Centre, the ROs will notify the present candidates and their agents of the counting results, and sign and declare the election results at the counting zone of the Central Counting Station. The election results will be announced again by the ROs on stage of the Media Centre.

     Mr Justice Lok and the two EAC members will inspect different polling stations this afternoon to see for themselves the electoral affairs.
 
     The REO’s hotline at 2891 1001 will be in service until midnight to answer enquiries relating to the LCGE. A complaints hotline at 2827 7251 will also operate until midnight to handle complaints about breaches of electoral rules and guidelines.
 
     Hourly voter turnouts and election results will be available on the election website.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission:

     The 2025 Legislative Council General Election (LCGE) will be held tomorrow (December 7).The Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC), Mr Justice David Lok, and the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, accompanied the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, to visit the Near Boundary Polling Station (NBPS) at Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port and the Ordinary Polling Station at Tung Chung Man Tung Road Sports Centre this morning (December 6) to see for themselves the final preparatory work including the set-up of the venue and rehearsals for the LCGE.

     Mr Justice Lok said that the preparatory work for the 2025 LCGE is ready and the staff members are carrying out final preparations and drills. He thanked the staff members for their efforts to ensure that the LCGE tomorrow would be conducted in an open, honest, fair as well as safe and orderly manner.

     This morning, EAC member Professor Daniel Shek also inspected the Outreach Polling Station for Residential Care Homes at Kwu Tung North Multi-welfare Services Complex and the Hospital Authority Healthcare Staff Designated Polling Station at St. Rose of Lima’s College, whereas EAC member Mr Bernard Man, SC, inspected the Ethnic Minorities Designated Polling Station at Tang Shiu Kin Victoria Government Secondary School and the Ordinary Polling Station at Lai Chi Kok Sports Centre.

In the afternoon, the two EAC members joined Mr Justice Lok to visit the ballot paper sorting station cum consolidated main counting stations at Kowloon Park Sports Centre. They then visited the polling station of the Election Committee constituency (ECC) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in the company of the Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Tony Wong, and the Convenor and Members of the Technical Advisory Committee, to inspect the on-site drill conducted by staff members to ensure a smooth operation of the electoral work.

     Every constituency is contested in this LCGE. A total of 161 candidates will contest 90 seats, including 20 seats from 10 geographical constituencies, 30 seats from 28 functional constituencies and 40 seats from the ECC.

     The polling hours for the Ordinary Polling Stations, the ECC polling station, the three Dedicated Polling Stations set up at police stations and the NBPSs will be from 7.30am to 11.30pm. For the Dedicated Polling Stations set up at penal institutions, for security reasons, the polling hours will be from 9am to 4pm. For the Designated Polling Stations (namely the Civil Servant Designated Polling Stations, Hospital Authority Healthcare Staff Designated Polling Stations and Ethnic Minorities Designated Polling Stations) and Outreach Polling Stations for Residential Care Homes under the pilot arrangements, their polling hours are from 8.30am to 9.30pm, and from 8.30am to 6.30pm respectively.

     On the polling day, electors can check the approximate waiting time of Ordinary Polling Stations, the ECC polling station and NBPSs on the election website (www.elections.gov.hk). Depending on the waiting time and their schedule, electors can make their own arrangements on when to vote.

     For enquiries, please call the election hotline on 2891 1001 or visit the election website for more information about the LCGE.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, and the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, met the media today (December 6) regarding the follow-up work on the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, after attending a radio programme. Following are their remarks at the media session:

Reporter: Miss Mak, right now the funds are being used for immediate relief. How does the Government plan to ensure that funds allocated for the fire victims are used effectively in the long term to help them rebuild their lives? Are there any specific schemes or initiatives being developed to assist affected families? And how will the funds be allocated toward long-term housing solutions? And in terms of scaffold netting, how will the authorities help those who are unable to meet the deadline by today? Mr Sun, what specific penalties do you foresee for companies or workers who violate the proposed smoking ban that comes into effect?

Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs: For the Support Fund (“Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po”), right now we have already raised a total of $3 billion from the private sector and also from the Government’s allocation fund. We hope we will make the best use of this Support Fund to help our residents being affected in this fire incident. As you know, we have already launched several relief funds to cater for their short-term needs. We will also make the best use of the Support Fund to provide long-term and sustainable support and assistance to those residents to help them rebuild their homes and let their lives resume normal.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare: Thank you. On the prohibition of smoking at construction sites, of course, it’s subject to a discussion with the Legislative Council (LegCo) upon its establishment next year, on January 1. One of the issues we have to discuss is about if the consensus among the LegCo and the administration is to prohibit smoking at construction sites in general, we have to consider what kind of penalty we have to put in place.

One of the possible options we could explore is possibly a fixed ticket, so this is one of the ideas we need to explore. But of course, the detailed proposal is to be hammered out after discussions with LegCo and also we’re going to consult the trade to make sure that whatever new prohibition is going to be introduced, it is enforceable. Thank you.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region