The Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting: Why does it matter?
The 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM53) kicks off next week in Nukualofa, and it has some Tongans asking what is its purpose, and what are the benefits of this annual event? Director for Governance and
Forum delays mission to New Caledonia, after diplomatic wrangling
The Pacific Islands Forum has postponed a planned monitoring mission to New Caledonia. The delegation, involving three prime ministers, had intended to visit the French Pacific dependency before next week’s
Legal Starlink users remain online in Samoa
The Samoa regulator has announced that legal Starlink users in Samoa will continue to have access to their services, as confirmed by SpaceX and will not be affected by the temporary cut-off scheduled for 21 August.
UN experts alarmed by situation of Kanak indigenous peoples in the non-self-governing territory of New Caledonia
The French Parliament adopted a bill on 14 May 2024 that dismantles one of the cornerstones of the Nouméa Accord by unfreezing the electoral body in New Caledonia, a non-self-governing territory under French
China promises to help Fiji tackle climate change as Beijing seeks greater Pacific role
China has pledged to support Fiji’s development in a world beset with “turmoil” and help tackle the impact of climate change during Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s visit to Beijing, reports the South China
UN Secretary-General Guterres to start Pacific swing
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is making his first visit to the Pacific in five years, taking in Samoa, New Zealand, Tonga and East Timor. The centrepiece of Guterres’ mission will be the
Kiribati closes border to diplomats until 2025
Kiribati has banned foreign diplomatic visits until 2025 due to national elections in a move that has left officials scrambling for more information. A letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration sent to
Kiribati elections results: 58 percent turnout and a record five women elected into 45-seat parliament
A record five female MPs have been elected into the Kiribati parliament, the Maneaba ni Maungatabo, which is one more than the last polls, while 14 sitting MPs have lost their seats in this year’s election. The
39 runs scored from one over as Samoa batter breaks international record
History was created at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional East Asia-Pacific Qualifier A event on Tuesday as Samoan batter Darius Visser helped break the record for most runs from one over of a men’s
Australian partnership to strengthen Pacific football
A new partnership will see Australian and Pacific national teams play regular international matches. The Australian Government and Football Australia have signed a new four-year investment through the PacificAus Sports
Kiribati, Niue and Tuvalu struggle to keep up with high cost of living
Purchasing basic commodities, such as food, has been a big challenge for residents of Kiribati, Niue and Tuvalu, which are most affected by global inflation, according to the Asian Development Bank’s latest economic
Kiribati elections: Voters wait for final results
Voters in Kiribati are awaiting the final results of the runoff round of elections on Monday. Twenty-five of the 45 parliamentary seats were confirmed in the first round on Wednesday last week, with those candidates
New Caledonia requests Australian aid for riot rebuild
New Caledonia is looking to Australia for aid to help rebuild its capital city after deadly riots. The French territory was marred by civil unrest and riots that left 10 dead in May after controversial voting reforms
Papua independence protestors seek papal intervention after clashes with Indonesian forces
Indonesian security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets in clashes with protestors marking the 62nd anniversary of a UN agreement that paved the way for Jakarta’s annexation of the Papua region. At least one
The power of a ‘toothless tiger’
Pacific Island experts have welcomed a new international treaty that aims to prevent biopiracy as a major step forward in global efforts to protect indigenous intellectual property, genetic resources and traditional
Mounting discord at USP
Academics warn of 'toxic' atmosphere damaging the region's largest university Growing discord within the ranks of the University of the South Pacific ( USP ) escalated further this month with the summary dismissal of a
French political uncertainty unsettles New Caledonia
The glitz and glamour of the Olympics hosted by France has overshadowed an ongoing political crisis facing the French State. For weeks after snap elections for the French National Assembly, the outgoing government has
Whispers
Trump, the Russians, and then there’s China Australia continues to tread cautiously amid heightened security worries, both in the Pacific and domestically. Addressing a public policy think tank, Pacific Minister Pat
Starlink rollout slowly gains momentum
Starlink’s rollout in the region continues in fits and starts. The satellite technology company last month announced two authorised resellers in Fiji - Lightspeed Pacific and Telecom Fiji. Telecom Fiji CEO, Charles
PRF expresses grave concerns following discovery of needles and syringes amidst rising drug cases
PRF Expresses Grave Concerns Following Discovery of Needles and Syringes Amidst Rising Drug Cases Amidst the rise in drug cases in Fiji, Pacific Recycling Foundation is issuing an urgent appeal, expressing deep concern
Sailing to sustainability
The arrival of the SV Juren Ae into Majuro Lagoon under full sail at the end of last month was a majestic sight. It was also an important moment for sustainable shipping in our region. In 2020, Marshall Islands
Pacific urges the IMO to act on climate
In another example of global leadership on climate action, six Pacific Island members of the International Maritime Organization are urging the organisation to adopt a universal levy on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
Pacific ports at a crossroads
Enhancing climate resilience and cybersecurity The Pacific region stands at a pivotal point in its quest to strengthen maritime infrastructure against climate change and bolster cybersecurity measures. As rising sea
