MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source:

PRESS RELEASE, October 16th, 2025] – Conservation International (CI) signed a 5-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Apia Export Fish Packers Ltd. and the Tautai Samoa Association to advance Pacific Tuna Jurisdictional Initiatives in Samoa while simultaneously supporting the Samoa Ocean Strategy 2030.

The signing, which was held at the CI-Samoa Office, marked a milestone collaboration between CI and the private sector, an exciting step towards advancing sustainable tuna fisheries management in Samoa aimed at achieving 100% management and 30% protection of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by 2030.

Under this MoU, the partners will work together to strengthen environmental, social, and economic performance across Samoa’s offshore tuna fisheries—particularly the South Pacific albacore fishery—through the implementation of science-based tools, policy alignment, and market-driven improvements.

The partnership will also focus on enhancing collaboration between government, industry, and civil society to support sustainable ocean management, as well as promote the use of diagnostic tools to improve fishery performance, explore market opportunities and certification pathways that recognize responsible fishing practices and add value to Samoa’s tuna products while supporting human rights and ensuring decent work conditions in Samoa’s fishing sector in line with international standards informed by the local context.

This MoU has opened a new pathway for relevant partners to collaborate and work towards a shared vision of sustainably managing Samoa’s tuna fisheries and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). It reinforces collective efforts toward maintaining well-managed, climate-resilient tuna stocks, ensuring environmental sustainability and social responsibility across Samoa’s fishing sector, and driving innovation that enhances value creation and livelihood opportunities for communities that depend on these resources.

The Jurisdictional Approach (JA) for Pacific Tuna Project is being implemented in Samoa, Fiji, Palau, and New Caledonia and aims to strengthen tuna governance and sustainability through integrated policy and market approaches that benefit both people and nature.

END.

Conservation International Pacific Islands

Source:

[PRESS RELEASE 15 October 2025 Apia, Samoa] – The Women’s Driving License Programme was officially launched on Friday, 10 October, offering free driving lessons to 200 women across Samoa, together with an Electric Vehicle (EV) awareness course.

The launch event, held at the Land Transport Authority (LTA) premises in Vaitele, brought together training participants, officials from LTA and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Ambassador of Japan. Participants from Savai’i joined the event virtually.

Implemented by LTA, in partnership with UNDP, the Women’s Driving License Programme is part of the Climate Action Pathways for Island Transport (CAP-IT) project, funded by the Government of Japan. The project supports Samoa’s efforts to decarbonize its transport sector – a critical step as the Pacific faces the intensifying impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels and increasingly severe cyclones, floods, and droughts.

Although Samoa contributes only a fraction to global greenhouse gas emissions, it continues to lead by example, demonstrating that climate ambition must be shared globally. Reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels not only cuts emissions but also strengthens Samoa’s energy security and economic resilience against volatile oil prices. Transport remains the country’s largest emitting sector, and the shift towards electric mobility offers a clear path toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Beyond its environmental goals, the CAP-IT project has also shed light on a persistent gender gap in driving license ownership. Over the past two decades, only one in four driving licenses issued in Samoa have gone to women – a disparity with important social and economic implications. Mobility means more than just movement; it represents freedom, opportunity, and empowerment. When women are unable to drive, they face additional barriers to leave their home and access employment, education, and essential services. This programme aims to reduce that gender gap, while also improving road safety by providing formal driving instruction and certification to women who may be driving unlicensed.

“Transport is not just about infrastructure – it’s about access, opportunity, and equity. When women are equipped to drive, they gain mobility, independence, and a stronger voice in their communities. That’s why LTA is pleased to be co-implementing this programme alongside UNDP, with funding from the Government of Japan. This initiative also supports our broader goals: advancing green transport solutions, including electric vehicle training; promoting fair geographic representation across Upolu and Savaii; and fostering long-term inclusion in the transport sector,” said Sagauga Leilani Galuvao, Chief Executive Officer, LTA.

A recent CAP-IT survey revealed that up to 60% of Samoans expressed interest in purchasing an EV within the next year, with interest higher among men. However, women play an equally essential role in driving this transition. Women are not passive beneficiaries, they play a key role in managing household decisions and can champion clean energy practices within families, communities, and workplaces. To support this, an Electric Vehicle Awareness Course has been integrated into LTA’s driving training. Participants will learn about EV technology, its environmental and health benefits, and its long-term cost advantages, while addressing common misconceptions about performance and safety.

“We aim to help bridge the gender gap while teaching about new forms of transport. As technologies like electric vehicles gain momentum across the islands, it is crucial that everyone – women and men alike – understands the opportunities they bring,” said Paolo Dalla Stella, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP.

The launch of this programme showed high interest among Samoan women, with over 500 applications received in less than a week. To ensure fairness, participants were selected through a public draw for Upolu applicants, where applications exceeded available slots.

This milestone marks another step toward building a more sustainable and inclusive transport future for Samoa.

END.

UNDP in Samoa, Cook Islands, Tokelau & Niue

Land Transport Authority – Samoa

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Fire Services Department (FSD) today (October 27) announced the special operations deployment for hill fires during the Chung Yeung Festival. It also urged members of the public to avoid leaving ignition sources when paying tribute to ancestors at graveyards or visiting the countryside to prevent hill fires.

The FSD is fully prepared and launched the special operations deployment, including setting up a High Command in the past weekend to strengthen co-ordination and the capability to respond to hill fires among operational units. Additionally, through flexible allocation of internal resources, extra frontline staff and fire services appliances were deployed to handle emergencies.

The FSD identified eight hill fire hotspots in North District in the New Territories after assessment. Over 200 additional frontline staff from the FSD and the Civil Aid Service were deployed to form patrol teams to patrol these hotspots. The teams served to remind the public to be cautious with fire, and to quickly extinguish initial fires to prevent the spread of hill fires where feasible.

Meanwhile, the FSD actively collaborated with the community on fire prevention publicity. With the strengthened ties with the District Fire Safety Committees through the FSD Community Collaboration Network, and in collaboration with the FSD Community Emergency Responder Honorary Presidents’ Association and FSD Community Emergency Responders, the department disseminated fire safety messages to the public at various graveyards and rural areas over the past weekend.

In terms of technology application, apart from using drones equipped with loudspeakers to broadcast fire prevention messages at graveyards, the FSD also utilised two low-altitude economy Regulatory Sandbox projects for the first time. The department deployed a 30-kilogram payload capacity drone to transport fire-fighting equipment such as flexible backpack pumps and fire beaters to enhance operational efficiency. Additionally, drones and automated drone docks were deployed to conduct regular autonomic patrols in the countryside to achieve early fire detection by leveraging AI technology. The equipment enabled rescuers to appraise the onsite situation more promptly and make deployments accordingly.

As data revealed that most hill fires are caused by human negligence, preventing hill fires relies on the collaborative efforts of various parties. The FSD reminds the public not to leave any ignition sources or to burn weeds in order to prevent hill fires.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs detected two drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (October 25) and today (October 26) and seized a total of about 30.5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $6.1 million. Three persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.

In the first case, two male passengers, aged 45 and 37, arrived in Hong Kong from Hangzhou and Bangkok, Thailand, respectively yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a batch of suspected cannabis buds, weighing about 3kg with an estimated market value of about $600,000 concealed in vacuum-sealed bags inside the carry-on suitcase of the 45-year-old male passenger. The two persons were subsequently arrested.

In the second case, a 62-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Vancouver, Canada, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 27.5kg of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $5.5 million, in his check-in suitcases. He was subsequently arrested.

The two arrested men in the first case have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, and they will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (October 27). For the second case, an investigation is still ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, together with the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, and the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, today (October 26) attended the “Election into Community” Roving Interactive Exhibition@The Westwood event, where they joined members of the public to know more about the election and experience the election atmosphere in an interactive way.

     Speaking at the event, Mr Chan said, “The 2025 Legislative Council General Election (LCGE) will be held on December 7. The nomination period just started on October 24 and will run for two weeks until November 6. I encourage outstanding individuals with affection for the country and Hong Kong, proven capabilities, a sense of responsibility and a passion to serve the public to stand for the election.”

     He also called on all voters to fulfil their civic responsibility by casting their votes on the polling day for Hong Kong – our home to elect their preferred representatives as Legislative Council members to make concerted efforts for the good governance, progress and prosperity of Hong Kong, where people can live and work in contentment.

     The Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau (CMAB) is actively promoting the 2025 LCGE and debuting the “Election into Community” Roving Interactive Exhibition series this weekend. The first stop of the series was held in The Westwood for two consecutive days (October 25 and 26). Interactive games, an exhibition panel area and a self-service photo booth are set up at the event to deepen public understanding of electoral information. Life-sized mascots of the Ballot Box Family are also on site to interact with the public. 

     The CMAB has earlier rolled out on its election-themed Facebook page the “Let’s find the Ballot Box Family AR mailboxes” activity (www.facebook.com/share/1BdqkmFtrn). Members of the public may redeem a souvenir at the event venues of the “Election into Community” series by posting a photo of mailboxes installed across the territory as a comment at the post.

     “Election into Community” will be held at shopping malls in various districts with opening hours from 11am to 7pm. Admission is free. Details are as follows:
 

Date	Venue
November 1 to 2	Lei Yue Mun Plaza
November 8 to 9	tmtplaza
November 12 to 13	Cheung Fat Plaza
November 29 to 30	Oi Tung Shopping Centre
December 5 to 6	Plaza Hollywood

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The 24-hour Designated Hotline for Carer Support 182 183 operated by social workers, which provides carer support, referral and outreach, handled over 119 000 calls and referred more than 2 200 cases to social welfare units for follow-up by the end of September. The Social Welfare Department (SWD) has also launched the first phase of the Carer Support Data Platform, initially connecting its data with that of the Hospital Authority and the Housing Authority, to identify carer households needing emergency support.

News.gov.hk spoke to a doubleton elderly household who shared their experience of using the hotline, while representatives from both the hotline and the SWD outlined the benefits of the service and related programmes.

The story is available at www.news.gov.hk/eng/feature from today (October 26) in text and video format.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

A total of eight nomination forms for the 2025 Legislative Council General Election were received today (October 25) by the Returning Officers for the 10 geographical constituencies, the 28 functional constituencies and the Election Committee constituency.

     This brings to 31 the total number of nomination forms received since the start of the nomination period on October 24. The nomination period will continue until November 6.

The number of nomination forms received for each geographical constituency is as follows:
 

Geographical constituency	No. of nomination forms received today	Cumulative total
Hong Kong Island East	0	2
Hong Kong Island West	1	2
Kowloon East	0	1
Kowloon West	0	1
Kowloon Central	0	3
New Territories South East	0	2
New Territories North	0	0
New Territories North West	0	1
New Territories South West	0	3
New Territories North East	0	1
Total	1	16

The number of nomination forms received for each functional constituency is as follows:
 

Functional constituency	No. of nomination forms received today	Cumulative total
Heung Yee Kuk	0	0
Agriculture and fisheries	0	0
Insurance	0	0
Transport	0	0
Education	0	0
Legal	0	1
Accountancy	0	0
Medical and health services	0	0
Engineering	0	0
Architectural, surveying, planning and landscape	0	0
Labour	1	2
Social welfare	0	0
Real estate and construction	0	0
Tourism	0	0
Commercial (first)	0	0
Commercial (second)	0	0
Commercial (third)	0	0
Industrial (first)	0	0
Industrial (second)	0	0
Finance	0	0
Financial services	0	1
Sports, performing arts, culture and publication	0	0
Import and export	0	0
Textiles and garment	0	0
Wholesale and retail	0	1
Technology and innovation	0	0
Catering	0	0
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region deputies to the National People’s Congress, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region members of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and representatives of relevant national organisations	0	0
Total	1	5

     The number of nomination forms received today for the Election Committee constituency is six and the cumulative total number is 10.

Particulars of the nominated persons received today will be uploaded to the election website (www.elections.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson today (October 27) announced that a total of 15 Family Medicine Clinics (FMCs), including Family Medicine Integrated Centres (FMICs), will provide public holiday Family Medicine Outpatient Services on the Chung Yeung Festival holiday (October 29) (see table below). Members of the public can make appointments through the telephone appointment system or the “Book FMC” function on the “HA Go” mobile application.

As influenza activity remains at a high level, the HA spokesperson appeals to members of the public to receive vaccinations early. Public hospitals and outpatient clinics of the HA have started providing seasonal influenza vaccinations to eligible persons to dovetail with the Government Vaccination Programme 2025/26. Eligible patients may receive vaccinations at their scheduled follow-up appointments at clinics. Patients with distant follow-up appointment dates may visit or contact the respective clinics for necessary arrangements.

Meanwhile, the HA spokesperson reminds the public to stay vigilant about personal and environmental hygiene during the holidays to avoid spreading diseases. Members of the public who develop respiratory symptoms should wear masks and seek medical advice promptly. Non-emergency patients should avoid using Accident & Emergency services and instead seek treatment at FMCs and FMICs, private doctors or 24-hour outpatient services at private hospitals to reduce pressure on public hospital A&Es. Members of the public can visit the Health Bureau’s Primary Care Directory www.pcdirectory.gov.hk to choose a family doctor and view related clinic service information.

Family Medicine Outpatient Services arrangements on Chung Yeung Festival (October 29)

Region	List of FMCs and FMICs	Address	General Enquiry	Telephone Booking
Hong Kong Island	Aberdeen Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic	10 Aberdeen Reservoir Road, Aberdeen	2555 0381	3543 5011
	Shau Kei Wan Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic	1/F, 8 Chai Wan Road, Shau Kei Wan	2560 0211	3157 0077
	Wan Chai Violet Peel Family Medicine Clinic	LG, Tang Shiu Kin Hospital Community Ambulatory Care Centre, 282 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai	3553 3116	3157 0000
Kowloon	Kwun Tong Family Medicine Integrated Centre	UG/F, 60 Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong	2389 0331	3157 0687
	Nam Cheong Family Medicine Clinic	G/F, Treasury Building, 3 Tonkin Street West, Cheung Sha Wan	3742 3876	3543 5795
	Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital Family Medicine Clinic	G/F, Out-patient Block, Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital, 118 Shatin Pass Road, Wong Tai Sin	2354 2267	3157 0118
	San Po Kong Robert Black Family Medicine Clinic	600 Prince Edward Road East, San Po Kong	2383 3311	3157 0113
	Yau Ma Tei Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic	1/F, 145 Battery Street, Yau Ma Tei	2272 2400	3157 0880
New  Territories	Lek Yuen Family Medicine Clinic	G/F, 9 Lek Yuen Street, Sha Tin	2692 8730	3157 0972
	North District Family Medicine Integrated Centre	3/F, North District Community Health Centre Building, 3 Wai Wo Street, Sheung Shui	2957 5186	3157 0965
	Tai Po Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic	G/F, 37 Ting Kok Road, Tai Po	2664 2039	3157 0906
	Tseung Kwan O (Po Ning Road) Family Medicine Clinic	G/F, 28 Po Ning Road, Tseung Kwan O	2191 1083	3157 0660
	Tsuen Wan Lady Trench Family Medicine Clinic	213 Sha Tsui Road, Tsuen Wan	2614 4789	3157 0107
	Tuen Mun Family Medicine Clinic	11 Tsing Yin Street, San Hui, Tuen Mun	2452 9111	3543 0886
	Yuen Long Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic	269 Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long	2443 8511	3543 5007

Service hours: 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The South Development and Sustainable Lantau Office (SSLO) of the Civil Engineering and Development Department announced today (October 27) that 12 projects were approved in the 2024-2025 round of the Lantau Conservation Fund (LCF), involving a total amount of about $32 million.

The approved projects comprise one conservation management agreement project in Tai O, nine research projects and two education and engagement projects, covering themes such as the renovation of a Tai O traditional building, history of Tai O development, history of Yam O Wan log storage industry, history of the Chinese people’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression on Lantau Island, and ecology of rare animals and plants on Lantau Island.

The LCF aims to promote conservation and related projects on Lantau, with a view to raising community awareness about conservation of Lantau and engaging the community to put conservation into practice, thereby fostering a sustainable quality living environment. The $1 billion LCF provides financial support to eligible organisations and post-secondary education institutions to conduct research and education and engagement projects, or collaborate with local communities and landowners to carry out conservation and related projects on Lantau; as well as supporting minor local improvement works for conservation. A total of 59 projects of over $164 million have been approved since the inception of the LCF in 2020.

The LCF will accept a new round of applications at the end of this year. For information about the LCF, the results of the applications, the event calendar and details of the approved projects, and the invitation for the new round of applications, please visit the LCF’s website (www.lcf.gov.hk/) and the Sustainable Lantau Facebook page (www.facebook.com/lantauhk/), or call 2153 2739.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Police yesterday (October 26) reclassified a death on arrival case happened in Sheung Shui on October 21 as manslaughter.

At 11.36pm on October 21, Police received a report that a man was found lying inside a unit in Wong Wui House, Queens Hill Estate.

Upon Police arrival, the 35-year-old man, with sutured wounds on his body, was rushed to North District Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 0.40am on October 22.

Initial investigation revealed that the deceased had sought medical attention at hospital on October 18, claiming those stab wounds were self-inflicted. He was treated and discharged from hospital.

After Police in-depth investigation, it was believed that those stab wounds were caused by the deceased’s female friend. The case was reclassified as manslaughter and a 35-year-old woman was arrested for manslaughter in Sheung Shui on October 24. Police yesterday laid a holding charge against the woman with one count of manslaughter. The case will be mentioned at Fanling Magistrates’ Courts this afternoon (October 27).

Investigation by the District Crime Squad of Tai Po District is underway.