Mixed signs of agreement, warnings mark end of latest treaty talks
The third round of the plastics treaty negotiations concluded 19 November on a very mixed note, with countries agreeing to move forward but with environmental groups delivering sharp warnings that the talks risk failure
Raise PNG wage rate, says CPL founder
A prominent businessman has urged the PNG Government to increase the minimum wage to enable grassroots people to survive in these tough economic times. City Pharmacy Ltd Group founder, Sir Mahesh Patel, said the base
Spectacular Opening Ceremony kicks off SOL23 Pacific Games
The Sol2023 Pacific Games officially commenced on Sunday night with a vibrant Opening Ceremony at Solomon Islands’ newly built National Stadium in Honiara. The event, held under the theme ‘Iumi Na Iumi’ meaning
Athletes from across the Pacific react to Sol2023 opening ceremony
Amid scenes of wild excitement at the Sol2023 Pacific Games opening ceremony on Sunday night in Honiara, the Games News Service spoke to athletes and officials from across the region to capture the excitement of the
Opinion: New data to inform big decisions around Pacific labour mobility
There has been much discussion about how the rapidly expanding labour mobility programmes in Australia and New Zealand have affected lives in the Pacific. Many have pointed to the significant economic benefits to
Starlink to provide internet services in Fiji
Starlink (Fiji) Pte Limited (‘Starlink’), a leading provider of low Earth orbiting satellite systems, has been granted a spectrum licence by the Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs and Communications, and a
Low-key election campaign in Marshalls belies vote importance
Marshall Islanders go to the polls Monday 20 November following what may have been the quietest election campaign in the 44-years of constitutional government. But the muted campaign — there are no political parties
1,816 sign petition as effort to end Vanuatu political instability
Over 1,816 citizens representing different sectors and voices, going under the Movement Red, have signed a petition urging parliamentarians to urgently discuss and pass Bills addressing political integrity. 164 people
Opinion: NZ wants more seasonal workers – but Pacific nations no longer want to be the ‘outposts’ that ‘grow’ them
The three party leaders currently negotiating to form New Zealand’s next government might have their differences, but they seem to agree on one thing: the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme needs to expand. New
New Caledonia independence parties prepare for talks with France
Key members of the New Caledonia’s independence movement Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) have debated policy at party congresses, in preparation for looming negotiations with the French
SOL23 Pacific Games: Tennis, Volleyball, Basketball tournaments begin today
The excitement and anticipation are mounting ahead of the SOL2023 Pacific Games’ as tennis, volleyball and basketball tournaments begin today in Honiara. The tennis event will be held at the newly inaugurated National
27 Fiji greenpreneurs graduate, receive 350k in grants
Twenty-seven micro, small and medium enterprises in Fiji have been awarded US$350,000 in grants to further develop their businesses sustainably. They are part of the Pacific Greenpreneurs Incubator and Accelerator
Traditional welcome for Pacific Games athletes
In a vibrant display of cultural unity and warm hospitality, the host province of the Sol2023 Pacific Games, Guadalcanal, on behalf of Solomon Islands, formally welcomed the visiting 24 Pacific Island countries on
China announces direct flights to Port Moresby
A direct flight between Port Moresby and Guangzhou in southern China will start next month. Deputy director general of the Chinese foreign affairs commission in Guangdong province Cang Feng confirmed this to journalists
Pacific Conference of Churches begins Assembly in Noumea
A fortnight after the Pacific Islands Forum brought political leaders to Rarotonga, Cook Islands, church leaders from across the region are gathering in New Caledonia, to attend the 12th General Assembly of the Pacific
We are sorry: Vanuatu MP Kalsakau
The Vanuatu Opposition bloc has publicly apologised to the people of Vanuatu. Ishmael Kalsakau, serving as both the Member of Parliament (MP) for Port Vila and the President of the Union of Moderate Parties (UMP),
French Polynesia tourism arrivals back to pre-Covid levels
French Polynesia’s tourism arrivals have returned to pre-Covid levels, with a specifically high spending by international visitors, latest statistics revealed. Figures for the whole year 2022 show the number of
Vanuatu’s first women’s rugby league team already winners, says manager
Vanuatu’s first-ever rugby league team in the women’s category will add to the excitement building in Honiara for the 2023 Pacific Games, with Vanuatu Rugby League (VRL) founding member and team manager of
NZDF, Vanuatu, New Caledonia arrive in Honiara for Pacific Games
A group of New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel, with two Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH90 helicopters, has arrived in Honiara to support the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), as the country
One in three U.S. Asians and Pacific Islanders faced racial abuse this year
Despite ongoing advocacy and legislation to combat anti-Asian racism that arose after the pandemic, about a third of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders say they have experienced an act of abuse based on their race or
Australia’s deal with Tuvalu is not about climate justice, say experts
Australia’s offer to Tuvalu of 280 permanent residency visas every year as part of a new treaty between the two countries, is being criticised as an Australian strategic security initiative in the guise of climate
Australia has “resettlement edge” over China
In a report on Australia’s security/climate deal with Tuvalu, Indian news agency, Business Standard says Australia has scored a “significant win for influence” in the Pacific Islands region with a “trump card”
Cook Islands PM happy with Pacific Islands Forum meeting success
Forum Chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown is happy with the outcome of the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting. “I am very happy with our outcomes as leaders. Of course, there are a number of