A Silver Linings Playbook for the aid sector in 2025
In the midst of the swift and brutal dismantling of USAID there has been a swell of voices in defence of aid. They have pointed to the good that aid does for the world’s most vulnerable; the importance of aid to U.S
Solomon Islands PM welcomes delegates for the Honiara Summit
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele on Monday formally welcomes leaders converging in Honiara this week for the ‘Honiara Summit on the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)
Sir Arnold Amet appointed new PNG Ambassador to US
Former Papua New Guinea Chief Justice and Madang Governor Sir Arnold Amet has been appointed as the new PNG Ambassador to United States of America. Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko announced Sir
Pacific ‘not a chessboard for global competition’: Dr Aqorau
A proliferation of security deals in the Pacific may be harming rather than helping the region and increasing the risk of conflict, observers have warned. Geopolitical tensions were among the most hotly debated topics
‘Deplorable’ Nauru visa deal to face court challenge
A controversial Australian federal government bid to deport an immigration detainees to Nauru will face a High Court challenge after a legal not-for-profit launched proceeding. AAP reports that the man is one of three
Operation White Wave: Fiji Police to destroy over 4 tonnes of meth this week
The Fiji Police Force yesterday began the week-long process to destroy over four tonnes of methamphetamine, an initiative they have named Operation White Wave. While details of the operation that led to the seizure of
ANALYSIS: Marshall Islands at high risk of cyber attack
Pacific Island countries are ripe for cyber-attacks. With few resources, even fewer skilled information security personnel, and low levels of internet awareness among populations, island nations are easy targets for
Napat: ‘Donors must work our way or take their money back’
Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Jotham Napat has voiced frustration over the lengthy procedures involved in accessing donor funds meant to assist Vanuatu, stating that such delays delay effective recovery and development
Scotland and Samoa lead the PacificAus Netball series
The PacificAus Sports Netball Series is heating up, with Scotland and Samoa emerging as the dominant teams after the first three rounds of matches at Nissan Arena in Brisbane. As the competition progresses towards its
Samoa’s embattled Prime Minister faces court action to have her removed
Samoa Opposition Leader and head of the Human Rights Protection Party, Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi has gone to the Supreme Court to get Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa to step down on the grounds that she
Climate change is robbing Pacific islands of another resource: Tuna
Fourteen Pacific Island nations will receive US$107 million to adapt their tuna-dependent economies as climate change pushes the fish farther from their shores, the Green Climate Fund announced Tuesday. The fund’s
Vancouver set to get the party started with 10-year anniversary celebrations | World Rugby
Captains of the world’s top 12 men’s and women’s teams gathered on the shores of Sunset Beach on Tuesday in Downtown Vancouver ahead of the Vancouver Sevens tournament running across 21-23 February. Teams were met
Welkam fren’: New Vanuatu PM sets homegrown tone for US relations
Jotham Napat wants the US to step up, rather than step away, despite Trump’s rejection of the ParisAgreement and aid freeze. Vanuatu’s newly elected Prime Minister Jotham Napat is known as a sharp and media-savvy
Australia and PNG to begin negotiations on new defency treaty
Australia and Papua New Guinea are beginning negotiations on a defence treaty, in a move that could have major implications for national security and the Pacific’s strategic landscape. The announcement comes just
IMF says PNG recovery on track, reform discipline must continue
There are signs of positive recovery in the Papua New Guinea economy, but the government needs to maintain the reform momentum in order to see long-term benefits, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the
Brazil asks UN to ditch proposed levy on global shipping
Brazil has asked the UN to throw out plans for a new levy on global shipping that would raise funds to fight the climate crisis, despite playing host to the next UN climate summit. The proposed levy on carbon dioxide
Pacific must get deep-sea mining decisions right, says Tongan Minister
Tonga’s Minister of Lands, Survey, Planning, and Natural Resources, Dr ‘Uhilamoelangi Fasi, has called for a responsible and collaborative approach to deep-sea mining (DSM), warning that decisions made today
Australia to boot violent offenders in Nauru visa deal
Three violent offenders will be deported from Australia after being granted long-term visas by Nauru in a deal human rights activists have slammed as “Trumpian”. AAP reports that the Nauruans approached the federal
Cook Islands secures $4 million ‘one off’ grant form China for future grants
Cook Islands will receive a “one off grant” of approximately $4 million (US$2.29 million) from China, following the signing of the Joint Action Plan for the 2025-2030 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last week.
Pacific Centre for Border Management and Security opens after 27-year gestation
The Pacific Centre for Border Management and Security (PCBMS) has been officially launched at theFiji National University, marking a significant milestone in the development of regional border management and security
Cook Islands signs partnership deal with China
The Cook Islands said on Saturday that it signed a comprehensive strategic partnership deal with China, a move expected to raise concerns in New Zealand with which it has constitutional ties. Reuters reports that Cook
Peter Roberts is Australia’s new High Commissioner to Fiji
Peter Roberts is Australia’s new High Commissioner to Fiji. He will replace Ewen McDonald who is moving to Papua New Guinea. Roberts is currently the Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Embassy, Tokyo. “Australia and
Cook Islands dicusses deep-sea mining research with China
Cook Islands officials discussed seabed minerals research with China during last week’s mission to Beijing. Cook Islands has licensed three companies to explore the seabed for nodules rich in metals such as nickel