The President had the opportunity to meet with several consular representations accredited to French Polynesia, including those of Australia, China, Japan, and New Zealand. These bilateral partners were also received by several members of the government to discuss partnerships directly related to their respective fields of competence, such as education, health, and the primary sector.

In the areas of culture and higher education, several projects and partnerships have been identified with two of our major regional partners — China and the United States.

With the People’s Republic of China: a joint program of cultural events will take place throughout 2024, the Year of the Dragon. A delegation from the Country will also be invited to the inauguration, scheduled for 2024, of the Museum of Austronesian Migrations.

With the United States of America: we will broaden our ties with other American museum institutions that hold heritage objects and documents from Mā’ohi Nui — including the Field Museum in Chicago, the Peabody Museum in Boston, and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., among others. We will also continue our cooperative projects with major American foundations (Mellon Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, etc.). Finally, we intend to strengthen our partnership with Columbia University in connection with the University of French Polynesia (UPF).

Following the submission of the nomination file for the mixed serial property “Te Henua Enata – The Marquesas Islands” to the UNESCO World Heritage List on January 24, 2023, a delegation of experts will visit the site from October 15 to 28, 2023.

Due to its complexity, the Marquesas’ nomination requires a joint evaluation by the two UNESCO advisory bodies: the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) for the cultural component, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for the natural component.

The appointed experts’ main mission will be to assess the property as a whole, particularly regarding authenticity, integrity, factors affecting the property, protection, conservation, and management.

During this mission, the experts will be accompanied by members of the technical committee in charge of preparing the file (COTECH). They plan to visit the six inhabited islands of the archipelago — Nuku Hiva, Ua Pou, Ua Huka, Hiva Oa, Tahuata, and Fatu Iva. As for the uninhabited islands included in the property, such as ‘Eiao, Hatuta’a, and Mohotani, it was jointly agreed that they would not be visited due to difficult access conditions.

It should be recalled that the evaluation report resulting from this mission will, together with the nomination file, serve as the key reference documents guiding the 21 members of the World Heritage Committee in their final decision, which is expected to be delivered in July 2024, during the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee.

The reform of employment assistance measures is based on three pillars presented by the government:

Fa’atura (Respect):
The proposed schemes are designed, written, and implemented to ensure full understanding and accessibility for everyone, with fair and transparent allocation — without exclusion or favoritism.

Fa’aora (Revitalization):
The reform aims to promote job creation and the development of the fenua’s own resources. It is therefore primarily focused on reducing labor costs and encouraging stable, long-term employment.

Fa’atupu (Growth):
The reform seeks to enable individuals to develop the skills needed by the country to build an endogenous economy (using our own resources), an ecological economy (respecting our environment), and an open economy (through the growth of the digital and audiovisual sectors). This will be achieved by improving access to lifelong learning.

As such, the budget for employment assistance measures will be primarily devoted to work contract subsidies, aimed at lowering labor costs, encouraging hiring, and fostering job creation. Internships and training programs will support the development of skills needed today and in the future, while integration through work programs will help the most vulnerable gain access to employment, allowing them to join the workforce they have so far been excluded from.

In July 2023, the Building and Public Works (BTP) index rose by 0.5%, reaching 133.87. This change is mainly due to an increase in the prices of construction materials (+1.0%), particularly metal materials (+2.8%), chemical materials (+0.7%), electrical materials (+0.5%), and plant-based materials (+1.1%). Over twelve months, the overall Building and Public Works index increased by 3.5%.

In the Building sector, the Structural Work index rose by 0.8%, while the Finishing Work index increased by 0.5%. Over twelve months, the overall Building index rose by 6.7%.

In the Public Works sector, the Civil Engineering index rose by 0.3%, while the Specialized Works index remained stable. Over twelve months, the overall Public Works index decreased by 0.3%.

In July 2023, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in French Polynesia rose by 0.3%, reaching 109.82. This increase is mainly explained by the seasonal rise in passenger air transport prices (+16.8%), which drives the overall index.

Excluding international air transport, the general index decreased slightly by 0.1%, showing relative price stability in most other consumption categories.

Over twelve months, from July 2022 to July 2023, the general index increased by 2.5%, while the annual average of twelve-month changes reached 6.0%, indicating inflation is still significant but slowing down.

The wage-earners’ index remained stable for the month and rose by 2.6% year-on-year.

🔹 Changes by category:

• Transport: +1.7%, including +16.8% for passenger air transport.

• Alcoholic beverages and tobacco: +1.7% and +4.0%, respectively.

• Furniture, household equipment, and home maintenance: +0.3%.

• Housing maintenance and repair products: +2.1%.

• Clothing and footwear: +0.5%.

🔻 Price decreases:

• Food products: -0.8%, notably:

  • Vegetables: -4.0%

  • Meat: -0.7%

  • Fruits: -3.8%

  • Bread and cereals: -0.6%

• Leisure and culture: -0.6%

• Personal care: -0.6%

• Accommodation services: -2.6%

🔸 Yearly comparison with mainland France:

The Government continues the concrete implementation of commitments made to protect household purchasing power regarding energy, in a context where hydrocarbon prices on the markets are rising (+6.8% for gasoline, +10.3% for diesel, and +9.8% for oil) compared to previous imports.

In this context, the Council of Ministers has decided to maintain hydrocarbon prices at their current levels for September 2023, in order to prioritize the protection of the people of French Polynesia in the face of persistently high inflation.

Tristeza is a viral disease caused by the Citrus tristeza virus (CTV), which affects the Rutaceae family, including citrus fruits and kumquats. It leads to reduced fruit quality and lower production yields and can cause the gradual decline of the tree. There is currently no effective means to control the virus.

In August 2022, the virus was detected on Ua Huka on two citrus trees located at the Agriculture Directorate (DAG) site. Following this detection, approximately 4,000 diagnostic tests were carried out between September and November 2022. Within this framework, 34 plants tested positive for CTV and were destroyed.

Concurrently, Ua Huka Island was declared infested with CTV, and an official control plan was implemented in accordance with the decrees of December 8 and 29, 2022. This plan proved effective, as diagnostic tests conducted between February and May 2023 did not detect any new positive plants over three consecutive months. Consequently, as provided for in the Council of Ministers decree of December 29, 2022, Ua Huka Island can now be declared CTV-free again.

The circulation of plants within the island and for departure from it can once again be authorized. The island will be subject to reinforced controls upon the arrival of ships and aircraft, and a regular monitoring plan will be maintained to prevent reintroduction and the spread of the disease.

The Council of Ministers also approved the possibility of shipping Citrus spp. and Fortunella spp. plants declared CTV-free between islands, following a diagnostic test validated by the DBS (in accordance with IPPC recommendations). Certain diagnostic tests, such as immunostrip tests, are effective protocols to determine whether a plant is infected with the virus. For plants to be authorized for transport, they must be isolated from any source of contamination between the time of testing and loading for inter-island transport.

The Council of Ministers today approved a resolution from the Professional Training and Agricultural Promotion Center (CFPPA), aiming to set the sale prices for agricultural tools built during the center’s training programs.

In 2023, the CFPPA implemented for the first time a training course titled “Build Your Own Agricultural Tools to Mechanize Weeding and Soil Work.” Guided by an agro-equipment instructor, participants constructed manual or draft-powered tools for soil preparation and crop management, specifically adapted to their farming practices.

It is therefore proposed that, at the end of this training, participants be allowed to purchase the tools they have built at cost price.

As part of the continued support by the Country for the development of the fishing sector and the measures authorized by the amended Local Law of October 9, 2017, concerning fishing aid, the company EDDY received an investment grant totaling 7,134,192 Fcfp for two of its tuna vessels:

• EDDY V – PY 1977 for an autonomous cold production system, including a complete marine ice machine and a desalination unit, with a grant of 3,515,024 Fcfp;

• PUONO – PY 1812 for an autonomous cold production system, also including a complete marine ice machine and a desalination unit, with a grant of 3,619,168 Fcfp.

These onboard installations allow these older-generation fishing vessels to operate the refrigeration equipment at sea, thereby keeping the catch fresh.

These grants are part of the current policy of the Country, which aims to significantly increase fishing capacity over the next five years.

On the proposal of the Minister of Education, the Council of Ministers granted three operating subsidies, totaling 10,329,285 Fcfp, in favor of schools. The subsidies are allocated as follows:

The School of Midwifery (École de sage-femmes, ESF) at the Polynesia French Hospital Center (CHPF) is tasked with providing instruction for the General Training Diploma in Midwifery Sciences (DFGSM, Bac+3), which is accessed through the first year of the Health Access License (Licence Accès Santé, LAS) at the University of French Polynesia (UPF), and the State Diploma of Midwifery, which confers a master’s degree (Bac+5). Both diplomas are awarded by the Faculty of Medicine of Tours, to which the ESF is affiliated.

Currently, the target set by the State for midwives trained during the 2021–2025 period is 10 midwives, with a quota of 2 places per year for students in the Health Access License. The Ministry of Health, in close collaboration with the Vice-Presidency in charge of Higher Education, has requested that the University of French Polynesia increase this quota to 6 places per year.

This increase will enable French Polynesia to address significant developments and challenges, such as the growing demand for midwives (+50% over the next 20 years), the retirement of the first ESF-trained cohorts starting in 2028, the evolution of the midwifery profession with the introduction of a Doctorate in Midwifery (Bac+6), and the strengthening of skills to ensure greater medical and emotional safety for mothers and their newborns.

In this regard, greater consideration of cultural aspects is necessary for professional practice in Polynesia. Additionally, challenges related to the attractiveness of the training program and the need to establish a perinatal network, as outlined in the ongoing revision of the health organization plan, must also be addressed. Perinatal care represents a major societal issue and requires a network of close and dynamic collaborations, with the midwifery profession serving as the cornerstone.

The Ministry of Health, responsible for Prevention and Universal Social Protection, has signed the “Taote Gauguin” medical partnership agreement with the Ponant/Paul Gauguin Cruises company.

This partnership aims to address the health needs of populations on the isolated islands of French Polynesia by establishing a health cooperation between the Country’s Public Health Directorate and Ponant, owner of the Paul Gauguin cruise ship.

Two components are planned. First, volunteer consultations will be carried out by Ponant doctors in the health structures of the isolated islands of French Polynesia during the ship’s scheduled stops, starting with the northern and southern Marquesas. Complimentary access to on-board radiography facilities will also be available. Second, health professionals dispatched by the Public Health Directorate will be transported free of charge aboard the Paul Gauguin to provide Advanced Specialized Consultations (ASC) in the health facilities of the most remote islands. The partnership will thus expand the existing ASC program. This collaboration represents a world first in the cruise industry.

This public-private partnership with a major economic development company of the Country fully aligns with the government’s aim to strengthen local healthcare services for the benefit of Polynesian families, particularly in remote archipelagos.

On the proposal of the Minister of Sports, Youth, and Crime Prevention, the Council of Ministers approved the granting of an operating subsidy totaling 1,450,000 Fcfp in favor of the Tefana Football sports section, to fund the development of football activities and a trip to Nuku Hiva for a U13 and U15 tournament.

The development of cruising and recreational boating in French Polynesia highlights the conflicts of use that can arise in our lagoons and in the use of our maritime infrastructures, and emphasizes the need for a reliable system to manage maritime spaces and facilitate their peaceful sharing among all users. It appears that marinas and designated anchoring areas in the lagoons are saturated, which encourages unauthorized anchoring and fuels conflicts with residents.

Similarly, maritime sector professionals point out conflicts over the use of docks or dedicated anchoring areas on the islands, due to the absence of an authority capable of allocating reserved and dedicated spaces. This situation deprives international shipping companies and local service providers of the visibility necessary to market the destination.

The Polynesian Directorate of Maritime Affairs (DPAM) was tasked in 2021 with designing and coordinating a port call management project and was designated in 2022 as the « port call maritime authority” (outside the jurisdiction of the Autonomous Port of Papeete) to regulate ship calls in the internal waters of the islands of French Polynesia.

This project, now underway, represents a major issue in terms of land use planning and sustainable development of our territory.

On Wednesday, August 23, 2023, the Council of Ministers took note of the communication from the Minister of Major Works and Equipment, in charge of air, land, and maritime transport, providing an update on the progress of the port call management platform and the expected results. Key expected outcomes include:

• Regulation of ship traffic and knowledge of their positioning;

• Visibility for cruise operators, who make bookings 3 to 5 years in advance;

• The ability for ship owners to organize their stays across the islands of French Polynesia through precise reservation of their anchoring points, ensuring traceability of their passage and presence;

• Implementation of accepted, regulated, and secure anchoring zones, organized in coordination with municipalities;

• Validation of a modulated fee in exchange for reserving a docking or anchoring space and rights to use public maritime domain;

• Improved protection of the most vulnerable maritime zones and reduced pressure on the seabed.

The first step was the creation of a centralized and coordinated management and reservation system called the « ESCALES » online service, still under development, which will eventually be mandatory for all yachts, cruise ships, and recreational vessels. It generates a multi-year schedule allowing the validation of an authorized parking or anchoring space within dedicated anchoring zones or port infrastructures.

The Autonomous Port of Papeete, manager of certain maritime zones, is a partner in the platform, which will thus serve as a single entry point.

This reservation of space or right of use will incur a modulated fee, payable online through the « ESCALES » platform, taking into account the duration of occupation of our public maritime domain and the services or facilities provided. Since the platform’s launch on March 23, 2023, maritime officers have been able to register cruise ships. Yachts can also book currently available spaces.

In a second phase, in 2024, the online service will integrate the management of recreational vessels, through the establishment, in consultation with municipalities, of new anchoring zones. Once this step is completed, the DPAM will be able to offer municipalities, if they wish, the ability to collect associated fees on their behalf via the platform: tourist tax, « water » fee, « waste » fee, and possibly « onboard wastewater » fee.

The « ESCALES » online service will provide French Polynesia with a powerful tool for managing port calls, bringing organization, coherence, and safety to its users.