Jobs, debt, inflation, representation: Issues concerning Fiji youth
Islands Business’ Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti asked young voters about the upcoming Fiji elections, and the issues of concern to them. This is what some of them had to say: Akansha, 21, from Nakasi, Suva is voting for
Vote for a ‘vibrant, functioning democracy’, students told
Fijian youths found their voice at a recent talanoa dialogue on the upcoming election with panelists that included the Supervisor of Elections (SoE), Mohammed Saneem. The University of the South Pacific Students
Whispers
Welcome – to whose country? At a welcome for Australia's new consul-general in Noumea, the ceremony was opened by customary chiefs from the Drubea-Kapume region of New Caledonia - a welcome to country from indigenous
Briefs
American SamoaThe population of American Samoa has decreased below 50,000. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s October update, the population count came to 49,710, far less than 56,084 recorded in 2010. The
Less prayer, more presence
It’s not every day that a young Pacific islander tells regional church leaders to stop praying about climate change and take firm, practical measures which people can see. Fresh off the flight from COP27 in Egypt,
A tick for loss and damage
The disconnect between countries was palpable at the recent COP27 climate conference, as small island nations fought with developing countries to get their issues onto the agenda and into negotiations. Addressing the
Vanuatu water efforts get GFC boost
Water security in Vanuatu is to be improved under a US$23 million project under the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The project to climate-proof water sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, and improve water management
Development, Indigeneity and existing tables
For real and collective development, we must stop insisting on localising strategies, frameworks, tools, or whatever else our Pacific communities keep getting fed with, because it worked somewhere else. We require
Opinion: Declaration on U.S.-Pacific Partnership abrogates established order
The United States signed the Declaration on U.S.-Pacific Partnership with fourteen Pacific Island Countries (PICs) in Washington on 29 September 2022. Of the sixteen PICs, members of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF),
Toa Samoa: One for the history books
So close and yet so far. That was what it came down to as the Toa Samoa valiantly fought the Australia Kangaroos in a 30 – 10 Rugby League World Cup grand final slugfest at the legendary Old Trafford Stadium this
Sydney Road Blaks: Aboriginal and Island History comes to life
In 1847, a group of Pacific islanders were spotted on the road heading towards the city of Port Phillip (modern-day Melbourne). The ten men were hauling two drays laden with wool bales from the colony of New South
Movers and Shakers
Vanuatu has sworn in its 13th parliament. Ishmael Kalsakau is the country’s newly elected Prime Minister with Sato Kilman appointed as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Lands. Other cabinet ministers include: John
70 percent of Govt servers recovered: PM Kalsakau
Vanuatu Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau confirmed Wednesday afternoon that 70 percent of the Government servers have been recovered. Partial access to government systems have been restored and that includes; government
Wellington happy to help Cook Islands join UN
The New Zealand government says the country will offer assistance if the Cook Islands bids to join the United Nations. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has previously said his country could pursue UN membership to
USD$100m needed to achieve Samoa’s renewable energy goals
Samoa needs approximately another USD$100 million in capital to achieve its goal of generating 70 percent of its energy needs by renewable energy sources by 2030. This is according to the Chief Engineer of the Electric
MOG will judge if Fijians can vote ‘freely and easily’: Wojciechowski
But won’t rule on ‘fairness’, as this is ‘highly subjective’ The Coordinator of the Multinational Observer Group (MOG) observing Fiji’s elections, Australian Paul Wojciechowski, says modern observer missions
Opinion: Towards a new Australian development policy
This is an edited extract from the opening address delivered by the Hon Pat Conroy MP at the Australasian AID Conference (AAC2022) on Tuesday 29 November. This conference has grown into a pre-eminent fixture on
Low measles immunisation in Pacific, WHO warns
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says it’s working with local and international consultants to promote Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccines in the Pacific. Measles, mumps and rubella vaccination coverage
Commercial banks in PNG oppose new increase in tax
Two major commercial banks in Papua New Guinea have opposed the 45 percent tax on the banking sector to come into effect next year. BSP Financial Group Limited chief executive officer, Robin Fleming said as BSP
PNG Govt pass US$6.8 billion budget
Another year, another record deficit budget for Papua New Guinea. On Tuesday, Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey presented his long awaited 2023 money plan to Parliament – with a price tag of K24 billion (US$6.8 billion).
Final defects programme to ‘complete’ US$56m Raratonga project
The final defects programme for the Rarotonga water project should be completed in December, bringing an end to the “nearly” $90 million (US$56 million) project. Financial secretary Garth Henderson told Cook Islands
Fiji 2022 elections: Pre-Poll voting begins December 5th
The Fijian Elections Office has announced today Pre-Poll Voting for the 2022 Fiji General Election begins from Monday, December 5, 2022. Fiji’s Electoral Act allows for votes to be cast early in remote locations
Australia’s Team Up expanding to Pacific Games host city
A sports development programme, ran by the Australian Government, is expanding to the Solomon Islands prior to the 2023 Pacific Games. Team Up, comprising of more than 30 partnerships across the Asia-Pacific, aims to
