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
Samantha Magick
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
Rules-based order: Whose order?
Rules-based order and rules-based approaches are synonymous. The ‘Indo-Pacific Strategy of the US’ (IPSUS), specifically under ‘Our Indo-Pacific Strategy’, Objective No. 1: Advance a free and open Indo-Pacific,
Briefs
American SamoaAmerican Samoa’s Commerce Department has awarded Rescue Plan Act funds to support preparations for future public health emergencies. The American Samoa Telecommunications Authority was awarded US$2.8m
DMP puts Solomon Islands music on the map
Island Reggae, ragga and dancehall band DMP (Doorman’s Project) is preparing to tour the United States for the first time, after a year that has seen it release a new album and receive international recognition.
Are Marine Protected Areas effective for tuna conservation?
The first-ever quantitative evaluation of the contribution of no-take Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to the conservation of tropical tunas in the western and central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) has been published in Frontiers
Movers and Shakers
Fijian national, jurist and lawyer Imrana Jalal is the first woman from the Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands region to be awarded the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Medal of Honour by the World Jurists Association.
U.S. considers Solomon Islands tuna plant investment
The United States is considering investing in a tuna-canning facility under construction in the Solomon Islands. The United States, Australia, and New Zealand have been competing with China for influence in the Pacific.
PNG Govt announces inquiry into elections
The Papua New Guinea government has announced an in-house inquiry into the conduct of the 2022 National General Elections. This will be spearheaded by the PNG Special Parliamentary Committee on the 2022 General
PNG’s Kina Bank K30m venture faces tax threat
Kina Bank’s plan of a K30 million (US$8.5 million) investments to extend operations across Papua New Guinea is now threatened by the 50 percent tax on commercial banks in the country. Kina Bank chief executive
U.S. opens embassy in Solomon Islands
The United States has opened an embassy in the Solomon Islands after a 30-year absence as it seeks to boost diplomatic relations in the Pacific as a counter to China. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced plans to
Underwater volcano erupts in Vanuatu, residents alarmed
Vanuatu’s East Epi underwater volcano erupted Wednesday, hurtling ash into the sky and leading authorities to warn ships and aircraft to avoid the area. “We are telling locals to watch out for any strong
Vineyard manager worried about PNG workers’ pay, jury hears
Pay and visa details that weren’t adding up got a vineyard manager worried about a group of Papua New Guinea workers. The Hawke’s Bay vineyard thought it was getting Recognised Seasonal Employer workers from a
Tonga star supports Test series against England
Tonga and St Helens star Konrad Hurrell has thrown his support behind Kristian Woolf’s side putting their hands up to play England in a Test series to continue the growth of the two nations. England’s plans
Emerging leaders take concerns to Canberra
Ongoing issues of overpopulation, economic inequality, domestic violence, climate change, geopolitics, illiteracy, and many health challenges are worrying to many Pacific Islanders. For young emerging leaders from the
