How effective is climate finance in the Pacific?
“Climate finance cannot be about loans, we cannot give our children the burden of servicing our debts.” That was the message Oxfam in the Pacific’s Regional Director, Raijeli Nicole delivered at a recent online
Changing prescription for regional leadership
By Ambassador Kaliopate Tavola The former Secretary General (SG) of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), Dame Meg Taylor, discussed her prescription for Forum leadership when she participated at the Blue
A trip to Tanna
By Len Garae The thousands of people who converged on Laminu Stadium on Tanna Island for the recent National Week of Agriculture were living proof that Vanuatu is ready to produce, value-add and market its agricultural
A culture of giving
By Alfred Tora An aspect of the Pacific culture that I love is how communal-centric it is! The concept of sharing and giving is imprinted onto us like the dark black and brown inks that dance across our tapa, nga’atu
Small Jam: Waiting to rock Pacific dancefloors
By Rowena Singh A couple of months ago we profiled Papua New Guinea’s Justin Wellington, one half of the team behind global TikTok and iTunes reggae hit “Iko Iko”. This month it’s the turn of the Solomon Islands
UN States seek teeth and sting in the corruption fight
Transnational crime syndicates including those that work in the underworld market of money laundering would have been anxious over moves in the United Nations to add more teeth into its convention against corruption
Rugby 7s Olympic Glory unites nation, Pacific
When you think of Rugby 7s, the ascent of Fiji’s men’s team to the summit of 7s heaven and their winning of almost every accolade of the fast-paced and ever-growing sport is usually the first thing that come to
France expands Pacific reach
The French government is expanding its engagement with Pacific Island nations, following the fifth France-Oceania summit, a visit by President Emmanuel Macron to French Polynesia, and increased support by France and the
UBS Inquiry: Loan losses quantified
Papua New Guinea lost US$432 million on a loan arranged by the Sydney office of the Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS) in 2014, far more than earlier thought, the UBS Inquiry has heard. Current Prime Minister, James
Fukushima power reactor: What about risk management?
Concerns over the Fukushima power reactor persist. In early May, former Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), Dame Meg Taylor, called on Japan to reconsider its decision to release more than
Tuilaepa rallies in vain
The political car rally that took place in Apia led by former Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Sailele Lupesoliai Malielegaoi on July 30 was reminiscent of the rallies staged by supporters of former President Donald
Nurturing the seeds of MSMEs
Economists used to say that micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) were the backbone of Pacific Island countries. But as the impact of COVID-related border closures deepens almost 18 months into the crisis,
Fiji’s shot in the arm for MSMEs
The Fiji government’s latest budget included a F$200 million (US$94 million) financial package for MSMEs to be rolled out by the Reserve Bank of Fiji and commercial banks. The Fiji Development Bank’s new CEO, Saud
Weaving a path to sustainabiliy
As founder and creative director, Jessica Cassell’s ambition for Papua New Guinea’s Bilum & Bilas is for the venture to be well-known internationally as “a brand that has best practice around in working with
Kava: brewing up a storm
There’s a storm brewing over the Pacific as the region’s kava industry watches a gradually unfolding situation in the North Queensland city of Bundaberg. Known more for its sugar cane and famous rum, the city has
Olympic Glory unites nation and the Pacific
The medal-winning performances of the Fijian men and women's teams at the Tokyo Olympics have united the nation and the
The Pacific looks to Glasgow
By Dr Ian Fry As wildfires take lives and ravage property around the Mediterranean and North America and floods destroy lives and property in other parts of Europe, China and Nepal, Pacific Island countries are bracing
France expands Pacific reach
The French government is expanding its engagement with Pacific Island nations, following the fifth France-Oceania summit, a visit by President Emmanuel Macron to French Polynesia, and increased support by France and the
Impact Investment: Taking ownership to future-proof the Pacific post-COVID
. Can our private equity players, our institutional investors, and our financial sector play a more critical role in building back better economies by actively seeking investment in businesses that find finance
Marshall Islands adapting to a changing world
Marshall Islands' Hilda Heine and Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner on climate change and
Comment: West Papua’s long struggle for freedom
December 2021 will mark the 60th anniversary of the declaration of Papua’s independence and the beginning of eight years of international coalescence to rob a people of their
Covering a restricted Tokyo 2020 Games
Covering the Tokyo Olympics for Pacific island nations was a logistical
Loan losses quantified as PNG Inquiry prepares to release report
Papua New Guinea lost US$432 million on a loan arranged by the Sydney office of the Union Bank of Switzerland in 2014, far more than earlier
