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
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
