UN Human rights role impasse continues
A vote at the United Nations Human Rights Council this week could resolve a stalemate over the body’s Presidency between candidates from Fiji, Bahrain and Uzbekistan. Russia and China continue to oppose the candidacy
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat appoints its Trade Commissioner in New Zealand
Pacific Trade Invest New Zealand has a new Trade Commissioner. Mrs Glynis Miller, a Fiji national, was appointed following a recruitment drive in November 2020. The formal announcement was made this week by Secretary
Suliana’s perseverance leads to success
Suva, Fiji. Terry Suliana was one of the Fiji National University’s (FNU) proud 2020 graduate who received his certificate in the presence of his parents at FNU’s Tamavua Campus this morning. Despite COVID-19
Fiji jobs, lending, tax revenue down
The Reserve Bank of Fiji has released another series of sobering figures, and says the coronavirus pandemic shows little sign of abating going into 2021. The Bank has recorded declines in jobs, government tax revenue,
COVID-19 lessons for the Pacific in 2021
Opinion: From COVID-19 containment to suppression in the Western Pacific Region: 2020 Lessons for 2021 Compared to other parts of the world, the Western Pacific Region has been comparatively fortunate. Although the
20 Years of Investing in Pacific Women
20 years ago, serial social entrepreneur Greg Casagrande made his first foray into the Pacific Islands, setting up the South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) Samoa operations with the aim of helping women in need to
Australia, China and other aid donors must realise there’s a better way to help the Pacific
Covid-19 has only catalysed the growing geopolitical interest in the Pacific Islands. Donors have been tripping over each other to prepare for an outbreak of the virus. But, at the same time, this has only exacerbated
Business confidence grows: PTI
Pacific Trade Invest says 78% of respondents to its latest survey of Pacific businesses are confident their businesses will survive the COVID-19 crisis. However the impact of COVID-19 on businesses has slightly worsened
New Caledonia’s fight over nickel
The young people gathered early in Noumea, preparing for action. Soon the main road along the waterfront in New Caledonia’s capital was blocked with barricades, burning tires and large stones. Riot police moved in,
ADB further downgrades Pacific growth expectations
Economic growth expectations for the Pacific have been downgraded to decline by 6.1% for 2020. The Asian Development Bank had originally forecast a 4.3% decline in July of this year. “Vaccine procurement and