Pacific Resilience Facility set for ratification as Forum secure global support
The Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) is on track for ratification at the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting (PIFLM) in Honiara, Solomon Islands in September, following a major decision made during the
PNG’s 2024 trade with China exceeded K17.8 billion
The volume of trade between China and Papua New Guinea in 2024 exceeded K17.8 billion (US$4.39 billion)– with a surplus of more than K7.5 billion(US$1.85 billion) on the PNG side. In recent years, more Chinese
Media Council warns against rising tide of SLAPP lawsuits in PNG
The Media Council of Papua New Guinea (MCPNG) convened its latest Press Club event focusing on the alarming increase of Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPP) lawsuits. Held in Port Moresby,
Micronesian leader says he trusts Japan’s nuclear wastewater disposal process
Micronesian President Wesley Simina has expressed confidence in Japan’s treatment of radioactive water being dumped from the disabled Fukushima Daiichi power plant into the Pacific Ocean. “The visit to Fukushima
Fiji exported goods worth K43.9million to PNG in 2023
Fiji’s exports to Papua New Guinea reached more than FJD$25.3 million (about K43.9 million/US$10.93 million) in 2023, with items such as electric conductors, sweet biscuits and garments, according to Fiji’s Deputy
Tongan PM warns of global uncertainty as Forum Finance Ministers endorse three key regional initiatives
In a clear warning to his fellow Pacific Finance Ministers, Tongan Prime Minister and Forum Chair Dr ʻAisake Eke highlighted on Wednesday the rising global uncertainty, fuelled in part by shifting U.S policies under
From teaching to Tongpop: The artistic journey of Telly Tuita
For a few weeks in January, the ‘Thirsty Mile’ on Sydney’s harbour was a riot of colour and Tongan iconography. It was the work of Tongan Australian artist Telly Tuita, who brought his captivating show ‘The Tā
Walande, climate displacement and human rights
Over decades, the small community of Walande has seen their offshore home in Solomon Islands battered by cyclones, storm surges and sea level rise. Relocating to the mainland of Malaita—the nation’s most populous
We Say: Learning from faith-based teachings
Between March and April this year, three of the world’s largest religions celebrate important dates.On March 1, the Muslim community started its annual fast of Ramadan, sometimes known as Ramzan.This month-long time
Whispers
Border movementsThere was much fanfare from the Fiji Navy and police after they seized a firearm and some ammunition on a ship arriving from Tonga. First it was reported that there were a number of firearms and bullets
Briefs
American Samoa The American Senate has unanimously passed a bill removing the 10% cap on local investments by the American Samoa Government Employees Retirement Fund (ASGERF). Supporters argue it will strengthen the
Wellington eyes strategic denial in the Cook Islands
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ row with the Cook Islands government in February was every bit as odd as his January quarrel with the President of Kiribati. It arose after the Cook Islands Prime Minister,
Confronting geopolitics in Pacific regional diplomacy
In the past two years, concerns about strategic competition and the increasingly uncertain and unpredictable global order have started to take a more central place in the foreign policy and security discourses of the
Risky business: Bridging the insurance gap
The insurance gap is not only a Pacific Island problem. Australia faces a massive insurance gap that leaves home and business owners increasingly vulnerable to either dealing with disasters without being fully insured
Parametric Insurance: A door of opportunity?
Less than a fornight after an earthquake devastated Port Vila on December 17, the Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company (PCRIC) was on a plane to the Vanuatu capital, a US$1.2 million
Insurance sector taps into AI
The insurance industry is under pressure to transform. This shift is global, and is about improving customer experience and ensuring efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability in a highly competitive
Insurance grows but faces challenges
The general insurance sector in Fiji has maintained a positive performance in 2023, growing 8%.Despite facing challenges such as rising claims costs and increasing competition, the sector showed resilience and is poised
Misogyny on the rise: But women fight back
The opening session of the Commission of the Status of Women (CSW) meeting in New York this month heard that “misogyny is on the rise.” Sima Bahous, the Executive Director of UN Women, said women and girls are
PNG needs to end “Horrifying Violence”
A staggering 3.414 million Papua New Guinea women may experience intimate partner violence this year, according to statistics provided by the country’s National Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Secretariat this month. They
Movers and Shakers
Former Papua New Guinea Chief Justice and Madang Governor, Sir Arnold Amet, has been appointed asthe new PNG Ambassador to the United States of America. Palau has appointed Stan Shih, founder of Taiwan’s PC brand Acer
‘My parents always told me to dream for the stars: ‘CHamoru name makes it to the moon
Among other things, Marcus Manglona from Guam now has one claim to fame—his name is on the moon. The Blue Ghost lunar lander, which landed on the moon on 02 March, carried with it not just NASA scientific equipment
Researchers find active volcanic hotspot in Cook Islands seabed
Researchers have discovered a potentially younger and active volcanic hotspot beneath the Cook Islands’ waters, prompting excitement for geological understanding and raising calls for caution regarding seabed
Wasted millions: $8.3 million Tongiaki catamaran no longer serves Tonga, review finds
A vessel once celebrated for its speed and preferred as an alternative to air transport in Tonga has been revealed to be non-operational, barely five years after its launch. The Minister of Public Enterprises Piveni