Pacific leaders address wastewater plan in Japan this week
Pacific leaders are in Japan this week meeting with their Japanese counterparts on the Fukushima wastewater plans. Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Henry Puna, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown and Marshall
Transparency has eased Fukushima water concerns: Panuelo
Micronesian President David Panuelo said Friday that Japan’s “transparency” over its intention to release treated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean has helped ease the Pacific
Military exercises to take place in Pacific amid security concerns
Approximately 1,000 U.S. airmen, marines and sailors will train alongside 1,000 combined Japan Air Self-Defence Force, Royal Australian Air Force and French Air and Space Force service members in Cope North 2023, which
Greens push for immediate evacuation of refugees in Nauru and PNG
The Greens will use the first day of Australian parliament to introduce a bill that would offer immediate evacuation to asylum seekers and refugees who remain in Nauru and Papua New Guinea. The bill would offer roughly
In the midst of neocolonialism – What are the threats to Pacific solidarity?
The state of Pacific island solidarity in the midst of a serious crisis pertaining to climate change and the strategic competition between the United States and China seems to be weak. At a time when solidarity may be
Cook Islands PM welcomes Kiribati back into the Forum
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown is welcoming Kiribati back into the fold of the Pacific Islands Forum. The Micronesian nation pulled out of the Forum in Fiji last year in protest of the appointment of former Cook
Tongans have a place to call home after volcanic eruption
After the Tongan volcanic eruption and tsunami of January 2022, Mango Island was destroyed, making it uninhabitable for the residents. A new community has been established in ‘Eua, south-east of Tonga’s main
Samoa’s RSE Scheme resumes with 1,200 workers this month
Samoa Cabinet has endorsed new policy guidelines for the Recognised Seasonal Employment (RSE) scheme and 1,200 workers will depart to work in New Zealand and Australia at the end of this month. The New Samoa National
Prioritise recruitment of skilled Melanesians: Vanuatu PM
Vanuatu Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau, who is also chairman of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat has stressed any future employment within the MSG Secretariat must be sourced from MSG member countries.
Australia funds athletes’ accommodation for Pacific Games 2023
Work is underway to create accommodation for athletes competing at this year’s Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands thanks to financial support from the Australian Government. The Solomon Islands 2023 Steering
West Papua delegation seeks support on MSG membership
A West Papua Delegation led by United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP) Interim President, Benny Wenda has had discussions with the Leader of Opposition, Bob Loughman, on the ULMWP Application to Vanuatu as the
Pacific Islands Economic Outlook 2023
After two long years of COVID-19 and the tourniquet it applied to the lifeblood of Pacific economies— connectivity and tourism — what can our region expect in 2023? The United Nations predicts the global economy
We Say: A time of Reconciliation, Not Reckoning
With the advent of Fiji’s new government, has come much relief and joy. The announcement of a tripartite coalition after days of negotiation amidst national angst, brought an immediate groundswell of hope and support
Pacific literacy, not perverse incentives
A group of prominent Pacific Islanders and Australians has recommended that an independent advisory group be formed to shift Australia’s development assistance away from a commercial model “toward one of
The next sin: Drug trade on the rise
Between Mexico and Australia is 165 million square kilometers of ocean. In that vast expanse of sea, travelling west and far from the eyes of police, navy and other law enforcement agencies, a precious cargo finds its
Listening, hearing and acting on climate
On her first visit to Suva in May 2022, newly elected Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong pledged close cooperation with Pacific Island nations on climate policy. “We will listen,” she said. “We will hear
Workers to head overseas after Samoa lifts labour ban
Samoa’s Cabinet is set to resume sending off workers to the Recognised Seasonal Employment (RSE) scheme, which was suspended for all of January. This was confirmed by Acting Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio,
2050 tops Regionalism Agenda for 2023
Ask anyone what the trending topics are for the Pacific year ahead, and the answers will not surprise. The Climate Crisis. COVID. Food, family, economic security. Sustainable Development for all.
Kiribati back in the Forum
Kiribati will rejoin the Pacific Islands Forum after Forum Chair, Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s state visit to Tarawa this month. That visit started with a handshake between Rabuka and Kiribati President,
Vanuatu’s new foreign policy in 100-day work plan: Napat
Vanuatu’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade, Jotham Napat has announced a new and revised National Foreign Policy framework is his department’s priority for the 100-day
Communication, crafting and relationship building
Communication has always played a significant role in relationship building and maintenance. Indigenous societies understood the importance of crafting the right message for the right audience. In a world where messages
Whipps responds to concerns over Chinese interests
Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jr has responded to an investigative report that has revealed activity in Palau by “organised criminals with links to the Chinese Communist Party”, by stating that there is
Whispers
USP boss ponders where to call home The University of the South Pacific is preparing to welcome Vice Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia back to its Laucala campus in Suva, after he was deported in February