United Nations Development Programme Kiribati 2011

1. United Nations Development Programme Kiribati 2011

2. Kiribati Tarawa Atoll

3. Geography An atoll is a coral island that encircles a lagoon • 33 atolls/Islands (21 inhabited) • Scattered over approx. 2 mil sq miles • Capital Tarawa

4. The People • Known as I-kiribati • Population 100,000 • 78% Micronesian – 22% mixed heritage with Chinese and Japanese • Official Language Gilbertese/some English • Traditional belief systems • Majority of the population live in small villages in houses made from traditional materials

5. History • 11th – 14th century, Samoans, Tongans and Fijians migrate to the islands. • Islands became a British Protectorate in 1892. • Japan occupied the Islands during WW2 • 1957-1962 nuclear testing by UK and USA • 1979 - Became the Independent Republic of Kiribati and member of the British Commonwealth.

6. Economy • The local economy depends on subsistence farming, fishing, and coconut palms • Main export is copra (coconut meat) exported to Australia • Abundant fish supplies are found in the waters around the Islands. • Pirate fishing by other countries in Kiribati waters is affecting fish stocks Collecting copra

7. Politics • Anote Tong was re-elected as president by a large majority in 2007. • Two party democracy • The majority party is BoutokaanTeKoaua– gaining the majority of its support from the Indigenous peoples of the Islands. Members of this party tend to be conservative, traditional and fearful of outside intervention. The main opposition party is the ManeabanteMauri– gaining the majority of its support from the mixed heritage communities. Members of this party tend to be more progressive and want greater inter-action with the global community. • Presidential elections taking place Oct 2011 Kiribati parliament house

8. The country faces some of the following problems

9. Rising Sea Levels • The highest point on the Islands is 3m above sea level. • There has been an increase in tides sweeping farmland out to sea and contaminating fresh water wells. • Sea defence walls are being breached.

10. Fishing • There are abundant stocks of fish in the waters around Kiribati. Local fishermen use traditional fishing techniques. All fishing by local people is for local consumption. There is potential to develop a fishing industry supplying fish for overseas markets but the Islanders do not have the knowledge, technologies or financial resources to develop a modern fishing industry. • Other countries are exploiting the fish stocks by fishing illegally in Kiribati waters. • The Kiribati government has one patrol boat to cover an area of 3 million sq miles.

11. The Role of Women • Discrimination against women is common in the traditional, male-dominant culture • Primary Education is limited, fee paying and only open to boys. There are no Secondary Schools in Kiribati • Economic opportunities for women are limited • Women are not represented in the political system • Young women are increasing frustrated with the lack of economic and social opportunities

12. Prostitution • Because of the limited opportunities for women – more and more young woman are offering their services to fishermen on the foreign fishing vessels. • There is no law against prostitution in Kiribati. There has been a notable increase in the prevalence of STD’s and AIDS in the last few years. • There is only one small hospital to serve 100, 000 people and staff are not trained in sexually transmitted diseases/AIDS/HIV prevention

13. Fish Core International (F.C.I)Kiribati Proposal

14. The Proposal The giant corporation that is Fish Core International has offered to help the Government and people of Kiribati to develop a fishing industry. Their proposal includes: • Investment in new and efficient fishing vessels, including training the local population to staff them as well as training for associated roles in the industry for example marketing, fish processing technologies etc • Investment in a modern nuclear energy plant • Investment in schools and hospitals • Installation of modern telecommunication systems • Development of a new fish processing plant and international distribution system • Control of the waters around Kiribati – free from pirates, relieving the government of this responsibility • Fish Core International will conform to all international fishing regulations and quotas etc

15. In Return The company has stipulated that in return for the investment it requires: • Exclusive fishing rights to the waters around Kiribati for a period of 35 years (other than recreational fishing) • No tax payable in the first 5 years

16. Some of the potential benefits outlined by Fish Core International • The creation of hundreds of new jobs • Employment for woman • Investment in schools for both girls and boys • Better infrastructure – small port and tarmac roads • 3 new hospitals • Electrical power for the processing plant - plus 1000 homes (at present the local population does not have access to electricity) • Free up government spending on patrolling the vast waters around Kiribati • An estimated taxable income of $US 10 million from year 5 onwards • ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

17. Advisory Panels At the beginning: Thank you Director General and thank you President Tong We are:________________________ We have the follow recommendations for President Tong and the people of Kiribati At the end: Thank you President Tong for providing us this with opportunity to advise your Government. We hope you act on our recommendations

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