U.S. delegation to visit Solomon Islands
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman, and U.S. ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, plan to visit the Solomon Islands next month, where their fathers fought in World War Two, and the United States is
Palau Congress paves way for Blue Prosperity funding
Members of the Olbiil Era Keluau Monday adopted amendments to the supplemental budget to pave way for the Blue Prosperity funding assistance, while Palau Congress gave approval to the marine spatial planning. The new
Cook Islands: 5m waves expected, tourists urged to delay travel
A Cook Islands tourism operator is advising New Zealand travellers to consider putting off their travel as waves of up to 5 metres are expected. Last week, the south coast of the Cook Islands was hit by 4.5m waves which
No PNG election will be deemed as failed without evidence: Sinai
Papua New Guinea Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai says no election will be deemed as failed unless a full report is given by security and electoral staff in the five electorates that have faced issues in the past
PNG election update: Seats declared, election violence
The ruling Pangu Pati has drawn first blood in the PNG General Elections 2022 with its leader and deputy leader retaining their seats on first count alone. Pangu has a head start with four MPs, James Marape (Tari Pori);
Vanuatu seasonal workers speak out on mistreatment
A group of Vanuatu seasonal workers in Australia who absconded from their farms have come out to shed light on their working conditions. While they say they regret that their actions have tarnished Vanuatu’s effort in
PNG embraces Telstra’s acquisition of Digicel
Papua New Guinea caretaker Prime Minister James Marape has welcomed the completion of Telstra’s acquisition of Digicel Pacific last week, saying it demonstrates international confidence in the national economy. He
Tonga making waves in Pacific Netball
In light of their recent success in the PacificAus tournament earlier in March this year, the Tonga Netball team will be hoping to continue top performance in the Netball World Cup Pacific Qualifiers this week in Suva,
COVID-free Marshall Islands prepares to rejoin the world
The Marshall Islands will remove it’s managed quarantine system after October 1st. The Marshall Islands is one of only a handful of nations left in the world that is COVID free and has remained so due to strict
Severe coastal flooding hits American Samoa and the Cook Islands
The full impact of huge sea swells across American Samoa and the Cook Islands is only starting to come to light. Severe weather conditions in American Samoa have resulted in damage to roads, infrastructure, property and
Vote buying is expected in PNG: Sinai
Papua New Guinea Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai has told media that vote buying and other corruption related offences are expected in any election in PNG. He said the 2022 National General Election is no exception,
Promising future for Pacific exporters: PTI Australia
Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Australia says despite half of the businesses responding to its export survey noting a decline in export orders over the past year, businesses are optimistic about the future. The most recent
Partners in the Blue Pacific’ initiative rides roughshod over established regional processes
On June 24, the White House announced the establishment of the Partners in the Blue Pacific (PBP), an initiative by Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States “for more effective and
Pacific Sustainable Tourism Criteria in the works: SPTO
The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) will be working with TRC Tourism to develop the PacificSustainable Tourism Criteria. “Sustainable tourism development is now more important than ever as we begin to plan tourism
PNG elections and the economy: Marape vs O’Neill
It is often said that PNG elections are fought on local issues, and this is no doubt the case. However, national issues have certainly featured prominently in this year’s election campaign in the run-up to voting,
Access to finance ocean projects ‘very challenging’: Solomons MP Manele
While there are huge commitments being made and offered to assist countries to conserve, protect and manage their ocean resources, accessing finance for ocean projects is still a major obstacle for many Small Island
The future of Pacific ocean science
The Pacific can learn from the Indian Ocean when it comes to ocean science. Last week’s UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon devoted a full day to the role of the scientific community. Strong engagement of stakeholders
Nauru first COVID death; 10 active cases in Niue
Nauru has recorded its first death of COVID-19 as the country experiences its first community outbreak, while there are now 10 community cases in Niue. Nauru President Lionel Aingimea has expressed his condolences and
‘Welkam’ Back! – Vanuatu reopens international borders
The first international visitors who set foot in Vanuatu Friday after more than two years were given a warm welcome by excited tourism officers at the Port Vila Airport. String band songs greeted them as they arrived.
Six candidates want to be PM in PNG
Former deputy prime minister Charles Abel is the latest politician to announce ambitions to be Papua New Guinea (PNG)’s 9th prime minister in the 11th Parliament after General Election 2022 (GE22). The others who have
Community Bank of American Samoa proposes buying Territorial Bank of Samoa
A local group of investors is proposing they buy the Territorial Bank of American Samoa (TBAS), the government-owned bank that started operating when Bank of Hawaii departed American Samoa four years ago. In a letter to
Samoa to host next CHOGM forum in 2024
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting has ended in Rwanda with Samoa confirmed as the next host of the meeting. Samoa’s hosting of the 2024 event will be the first time a Pacific member country will
Tuvalu Foreign Minister cancels conference trip due to China protest
Tuvalu’s foreign minister landed in Brisbane on Monday after withdrawing from an international forum in protest against alleged Chinese coercion. Simon Kofe was due to arrive in Portugal for the UN’s Ocean
