Tokelau welcomes new head of government
Tokelau has a new Ulu-o-Tokelau, or head of government, Kelihiano Kalolo. In a statement, National Public Service general manager Tino Vitale said the general fono chairperson, deputy chairperson and the 28 members of
Understanding Fiji’s water problems
The myths around water cuts across Fiji have been debunked after an extensive explanation from the Water Authority of Fiji team during a recent media tour at their Viria operation site. It comes as people
WHO regional director fired for alleged racist misconduct
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has fired its top official in the Western Pacific after the Associated Press reported last year that dozens of staff members accused him of racist, abusive and unethical behaviour
Palau joins world leaders in shift towards sustainable marine tourism
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr joined global leaders in support of a shift towards sustainable coastal and marine tourism to protect the ocean and the livelihoods of those who directly rely on it. In a joint
US$50 million Vanuatu twin cyclone disaster cost
The initial estimate of the recovery cost following Vanuatu’s twin cyclone disaster is estimated at six billion vatu (US$50 million). Cyclones Judy and Kevin caused extensive damage and plunged parts of Vanuatu
High Seas Treaty exempts deep-sea mining from stricter rules
Deep-sea mining will be exempted from environmental impact assessment (EIA) measures established under a landmark international oceans treaty, a move campaigners fear could undermine protection for the seabed. The High
Forum Chair calls for adoption and ratification of high seas treaty to be fast tracked
Pacific Islands Forum Chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister, Mark Brown has welcomed the conclusion of the negotiations on the key substantive issues that will frame a new International Treaty on the conservation and
Komaitai sees bright future for Fiji female rugby players
Growing up on Bau island, Fijiana Drua Manager Alisi Komaitai says rugby was not something for women. But Komaitai bucked the status quo and braved getting a ‘smack’ for the love of rugby. Komaitai reminisced about
Australia Foreign Minister Wong backing Waqa as PIF secretary general
Australia will stand behind Baron Waqa, the controversial pick as Pacific Islands Forum leader, despite his chequered record as Nauru president. The 63-year-old has been nominated by Micronesian nations to be the next
Australian Coalition to oppose Pacific visa lottery
The Australian federal opposition has ruled out backing a new Pacific visa lottery scheme, labelling it as arbitrary and patronising to the Pacific community at home and abroad. Last month, the government announced
Marape: Chinese stability ensures global economy has a stable outlook
Beijing’s newly appointed special envoy to the Pacific has underlined China’s investment in infrastructure during his first official trip to the region, as Australia and the United States step up efforts to keep
PNG Pacific Games venues deteriorating
Termites are slowly and surely going about their usual daily business of rotting out the K54 million (US$15 million) worth state of the art Rita Flynn Indoor complex. The venue known to be the home of PNG netball as
Sea of Western flags in Oceania?
In his recently published article “Sea of many flags”, the Head of the ANU National Security College Rory Medcalf makes the case for why Pacific Island states should regard the deep regional involvement of a Western
Marape orders corruption watchdog to investigate PNG Ports
The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape says the country’s corruption watchdog will investigate the state-owned PNG Ports Corporation in response to revelations by the ABC. Last week the ABC’s
Compact impact aid expiring this year but discussion remains in the air
Washington has completed its negotiations with the freely associated states, pledging the renewal of U.S. economic provisions under the Compacts of Free Association. Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia and the
American legal expert: Marshall Islands voters must approve Compact
In what amounts to a bombshell legal opinion, one of the top American constitutional law experts who also was the legal advisor to the Marshall Islands constitutional convention that wrote the nation’s constitution in
Forum reunited, now to work
The next Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Baron Waqa says, “The Forum is still developing in its form, regionalism and all these plans to strengthen and unite members and I think what’s going on at
Tide turns for West Papua
The recent visit to Fiji by West Papuan freedom fighter, Benny Wenda, signals a shift which may just end in a new member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group. Since 2011, Fiji has been Indonesia’s closest ally in the
Whispers
China Centre curiousity Questions are being asked about the mandate and work of the newly-launched China-Pacific Island Countries Center for Disaster Risk Reduction and Cooperation. Hosted in Jiangmen City, Guangdong
PILNA identifies room for improvement
Pacific Island teachers are satisfied and proud of their work, but many of them have high stress levels. This is one of the newly-released findings of the Pacific Islands Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (PILNA) for
Red Cross Leaders: Preparation is key to ensure no-one is left behind
It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic caused a health crisis throughout globally, but throughout this time, Pacific Islands have also been battling natural disasters, brought on by climate change. Recognising this,
Calls for USP to return to glory days
Fiji Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economy, Professor Biman Prasad, says he expects the University of the South Pacific to exercise its academic freedom and role as a regional leader now that relations have
Can Washington fund its Pacific pledges?
“We have not been sufficiently engaged at a critical time in the Pacific islands. Not only do the Pacific islands face existential threats like climate change and economic dislocation, but clearly they’re being
