All CHOGM leaders indicate participation: Samoa PM
The leaders of 56 member countries in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) have indicated their attendance at October’s conference including three monarchs. Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa
French Polynesia’s Moetai Brotherson on New Caledonia, deep sea mining and regional ties
As French diplomats worked the corridors at last week’s 53rd Pacific Islands Forum in Nuku’alofa, President of French Polynesia Moetai Brotherson has criticised decisions taken by President Emmanuel Macron that have
Opinion: Not merely ‘exploration’: PNG deep-sea mining riles critics & surprises officials
A deep-sea mining operation that recently took place off the coast of Papua New Guinea (PNG) has raised alarm bells for environmentalists and called into question the validity of the country’s moratorium on such
Cook Islands PM urges Pacific unity on deep-sea mining as leaders gear up for crucial talks
Cook Islands Prime Minister and former chair of the Forum, Mark Brown is urging Pacific Island leaders to come together on a collective stance on deep-sea mining, ahead of a key talanoa session set for next month. The
Tahnee Norris appointed as PNG Orchids head coach
Women’s rugby league in Papua New Guinea has received an enormous boost ahead of the upcoming Pacific Championships with the groundbreaking appointment of Tahnee Norris as Orchids coach. Norris, who last month
Opinion: Albanese government’s Pacific policing deal is a masterstroke of diplomacy
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese may be attempting to backpedal from a “hot mic” moment at the Pacific Islands Forum this week in which he joked the United States “go halvies” on a new regional
The World Bank head has thoughts on the Pacific – and needs Australia’s help
The president of the World Bank is due in Australia this week offering to be a force-multiplier for good in the Pacific Island states, and expecting some federal funding to do so. In the first visit by a World Bank
Recyclers deserve respect and recognition, not handouts: PRA
In a significant shift for the local recycling sector, the Pacific Recyclers Alliance has recently gained formal recognition, marking a critical step forward for grassroots recycling advocates. This acknowledgment
Researchers awarded grant for pioneering AI tools to monitor waves
University of Wollongong researchers have been given a grant from the Australian Geospatial Intelligence Organization to develop artificial intelligence (AI) tools for monitoring oceanic internal waves using satellite
Reinstatement of Fukushima expert panel to be discussed next year, Forum Leaders push U.S on nuclear testing and focus on regional peace
Pacific Islands Forum Leaders will decide at the next Forum Leaders Meeting in Solomon Islands whether to reinstate the Forum Expert Panel on Fukushima, as concerns persist over Japan’s discharge of treated nuclear
‘We are going to do right for Samoa’ – Winston Peters on citizenship bill
A talanoa on the Samoa citizenship bill in Auckland on Friday was held against the backdrop of the passing of the Māori king, Kiingi Tuheitia, as well as the death of the RSE workers who died in a car crash on
Vanuatu ancestral relics, trafficked as art to New York, return home with FBI escort
When a crate escorted by the FBI from New York was opened last week at the national museum of the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, Kaitip Kami instantly recognised the statue inside. “By looking at it, I knew
Pacific Islands Forum tweaks communique after China outburst
The Pacific Islands Forum secretariat has altered the communique from last week’s summit in Tonga to remove an affirming reference to Taiwan, after an outburst from China. In a tumultuous ending to the otherwise
MSG Leaders push for strong stance on New Caledonia at Tonga Summit
The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) leaders, meeting on the sidelines of the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga, have called for a robust and unified approach to key regional issues, particularly the ongoing situation
Forum island nations prepare for global oceans conference
As the oceans face devastating change from climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, Pacific governments are preparing for the Third United Nations Ocean Conference, to be held in France in June
Solomon Islands issue license to Starlink
The Telecommunication Commission of Solomon Islands (TCSI) issued a Class License to Starlink Thursday to operate in Solomon Islands. TCSI Commissioner, Calvin Ziru confirmed this after signing a Memorandum of
Maori King Tuheitia dies after heart surgery
New Zealand’s Maori King, Kiingi Tuheitia, has died aged 69, just days after the celebration of his 18th year on the throne. The death was confirmed by the Kiingitanga’s social media early on Friday.
Tonga’s Finance Minister urges Pacific unity to increase Resilience Fund
Tonga’s Finance Minister, Tiofilusi Tiueti, has urged Pacific nations and their partners to rally behind the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), calling it a “bold step” towards a more resilient and sustainable
Solomon Water removed from SOE Standing
The Government today announced the removal of the Solomon Islands Water Authority (SIWA), which is trading as Solomon Water from its position as a State-Owned Enterprise (SOE). The Cabinet decision became effective on
Govt. waiting on crash report
The Government through the Minister of Finance has expressed its condolences to the families of seasonal workers who died in a tragic car accident in New Zealand earlier this week. Minister of Finance, Lautimuia
Court of Arbitration of Sport dismisses appeal brought by Lee Harmon, former President of the Cook Islands Football Association , against OFC Appeal Committee decision.
The Court of Arbitration of Sport has dismissed an appeal brought by Lee Harmon against a decision issued by the OFC Appeal Committee on 21 May 2024. The OFC Appeal Committee found Harmon had breached the OFC Code of
EU Commissioner Urpilainen calls on OACPS members to settle dues
European Union Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, Wednesday expressed serious concerns over the financial health of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS), warning
Kiribati says travel ban will stop ‘chequebook diplomacy’ during elections
A ban on diplomatic visits to Kiribati during elections will safeguard against undue foreign influence during the formation of government, the head of its delegation at the Pacific Island Forum leaders meeting said.
Pacific faces health emergency, WHO Pacific director urges Forum Leaders to act now or face devastating consequences
The newly appointed World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional director for the Western Pacific, Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, has called on Forum Leaders to confront the region’s most critical health challenges with urgency