Looking back, moving forward
AS Pacific leaders prepare to gather in Palau for the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM55), it pays to look at the past and forward to the future in order to better decide what course of action to take
MARK SHEEHY
Whispers
Red money WHAT’S the real reason behind the decision to challenge the appointment of a woman to head a sub-regional body for the first time?
A region of mental slaves
ROBERT Nesta Marley sang the famous words, which are reproduced across the Pacific today: “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds. Have no fear for atomic energy, ‘cause
Law student challenges Fiji’s HIV approach
FIJI’S youth have been challenged to take a greater part in the national HIV epidemic.
Fiji urged to strengthen cyber defences as AI-driven threats rise
FIJI is facing a rapidly evolving cybersecurity threat landscape, with cybercriminals increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to launch attacks at greater speed and scale, a regional cybersecurity expert has
To Lead is to Serve: PM Wale
SOLOMON Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale says his government will not accept “business as usual,” emphasizing that the country must now move forward with purpose and
Fiji targets major expansion of digital economy
FIJI is targeting 40,000 new information and communications technology (ICT) jobs over the next five years as the Government accelerates its digital transformation and strengthens national
Taylor calls for Pacific leadership grounded in culture and collective action
FORMER Pacific Islands Forum secretary general Dame Meg Taylor has called for Pacific leadership to be grounded in the region’s own philosophies, relationships and cultural values rather than borrowed models.
Pacific leadership needs a Pasifika-centred approach, says Vaai
PACIFIC countries need to rethink how Western philosophies shape leadership and development and strengthen approaches grounded in Pasifika values, knowledge and lived experiences, Pasifika Community Manu Folau Upolu
Fiji and Korea strengthen strategic
FIJI and the Republic of Korea are looking to strengthen their strategic partnership, with discussions focusing on energy security, technology, maritime development and economic cooperation.
Tuilaepa charged over comments on PM
SAMOA’S Opposition leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has been charged over comments he allegedly made about Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt during a recent press conference.
Solomon Islands security treaty proposal under further review
A SOLOMON Islands proposal for a regional security treaty will be considered by national governments and officials following discussions at the Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting in
PIF says no member blocked China missile statement
PACIFIC foreign ministers have agreed that the region should issue a political statement on China’s recent ballistic missile test, but officials continue to negotiate its wording.
Pacific ministers turn unity into test of action ahead of Palau summit
FOR Pacific foreign ministers, unity is no longer just a diplomatic slogan — it is becoming the region’s test of survival in a crowded, uncertain and increasingly contested world.
Lae City outclass Tupapa in OFC Men’s Champions League opener
LAE City Dwellers from PNG outclassed New Zealand's Tupapa Maraerenga Football Cup in a convincing 4 - 1 win at Lautoka’s Churchill Park in the opening tie of the OFC Men’s Champions
US Visa bonds hit five Pacific nations
NATIONALS from five Pacific Islands Forum member countries will continue to face United States visa bonds of up to $USD20,000 for temporary travel under the Trump administration's now-permanent Visa Bond Program.
PNG seeks Timor-Leste troops for 2027 election security force
PAPUA New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape said he would ask Timor-Leste to provide 200 defence personnel for a proposed multinational force to help secure and supervise PNG’s 2027 national
Fiji strengthens defence ties with Indonesia
FIJI has strengthened defence ties with Indonesia after 14 Republic of Fiji Military Forces personnel took part in a major multinational peacekeeping exercise in Bogor.
PNG-Vanuatu breaks ground on new chancery in Port Vila
PAPUA New Guinea and Vanuatu broke ground for a new PNG diplomatic mission in Port Vila, deepening ties between the two Melanesian neighbours 46 years after a PNG military intervention helped secure Vanuatu’s
Government announces $100,000 grant for WOWS Kids Fiji
“EVERY child matters, early diagnosis saves lives.”
Are social media algorithms killing Pacific news? — Part 2
AS demonstrated in the previous article in this two-part series, Pacific publishers have seen sharp, unexplained falls in their Facebook reach, at a time when much of the region depends on the platform for news,
Future Energy helps Fiji resorts break with diesel
THREE remote Fijian resorts have moved from full diesel dependence to a solar-and-battery system that now covers about 70 per cent of their demand, with New Zealand solar company Future Energy saying the sites are on
Energy shift needs more than solar
THE Pacific’s energy dilemma is neither an abstraction nor a distant policy debate.
