Pacific Person of the year: Emmanuel Tjibaou
For Kanak cultural and political leader Emmanuel Tjibaou, 2024 has been quite the year.On 13 May, after months of peaceful protest, New Caledonia erupted in violence as young people rioted across the capital Noumea and
Hope Lives: Leaders behind the scenes
In every Pacific nation, people contribute in meaningful ways to the lives of their people. We have highlighted some of that work in the pages of Islands Business, our sister publication, Fiji Traveller, or through
Taking climate activism to the ICJ
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has heard the largest case in its history: to clarify what countries are legally required to do to combat climate change. The case saw 96 countries and 11 international
We say: Religious Tolerance
Misinformation, disinformation and ignorance are what you might describe as the unholy trinity of religious intolerance. They are the keys to religious fundamentalism around the world. The conflict between Palestinians
Indo-Pacific Trumps Blue Pacific
On 20 January, US President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn into office. The US Republican leader has pledged engagement with island states, particularly in the northern Pacific. But at a time of heightened US-China
Indigenous knowledge overlooked in climate resilience talks
“Indigenous people have been practicing sustainability and resilience for thousands of years, but this knowledge is often overlooked.” These were the words of Simione Sevudrere, a prominent advocate for indigenous
Saving the village one root at a time
Deep in the Rewa Delta on Fiji’s largest island, Viti Levu, the river gradually clawed away at the banks, finding its way into the villages, destroying food gardens and threatening local homes. For the villagers of
USP Leader signals plan to resign
University of the South Pacific (USP) Council members meeting in Cook Islands in late November heard Vice Chancellor and President (VCP) Pal Ahluwalia state his intention to resign, and that he wanted to negotiate the
Nauru’s new citizenship program is leading the world
Generating revenue has always been a challenge for Pacific Island nations, but the amount of funding required has dramatically increased with the need for large-scale climate resilience solutions, including expensive
Fruitful Ambitions: Juice Fiji fights NCDs with visionary business model
For a nation blessed with bountiful fresh produce, Fiji is puzzlingly wrestling with a severe epidemic of non- communicable diseases (NCDs). This is a paradox that continues to frustrate health stakeholders in the
Navigating Representation: Disney’s Moana and the Pacific
As millions of children around the world rush to cinemas to catch the much-awaited sequel to Disney’s Moana, some adults from islands represented in the film have paused to question its impact. Ethnic and cultural
Movers and Shakers
Alex Herman, the Seabed Minerals Commissioner at the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority has resigned. Herman will take up a regional role with the Pacific Community (SPC) in early 2025. Under Herman’s five-year
Samoan teen photographer captures his culture on camera
William Sauaso-Rasch is an extraordinary young photographer who is already making waves in the art world with his powerful work, deeply rooted in his Samoan culture. At just 16 years old, he’s not only a talented
Rebuilding New Caledonia’s shattered economy
We’re sitting on mats in the garden around a public housing tower in Noumea, as a small group of women and elders listen to updates from independence activists about the ongoing crisis in New Caledonia. Local
The struggle is real: Pacific realities at COP29
Country negotiators at COP29 are all struggling to push for their agenda items in negotiation rooms, but it is a special kind of challenge for the Pacific when you are up against those who claim to be friends of the
“A death sentence”: Pacific responses to COP29
Vanuatu’s Special Envoy for Climate Change and the Environment has a scathing assessment of COP29’s outcomes. “The commitments made in Baku—the dollar amounts pledged and the emissions reductions promised—are
We’re not drowning
It’s a warm night in Sydney. A neighbourhood climate action group gathers at a pub in the inner-city suburb of Rozelle, to meet a visiting delegation of Pacific climate justice activists. For the six young advocates
Hotels join climate battle but more clarity on policies needed
As the urgency surrounding climate change mitigation strategies increases and the significance of renewable energy sources grows on a global scale, many Pacific Island countries edge closer to irreparable damage to
Tuvalu floats clean energy option
At the end of Funafuti International Airport’s runway 21, a small roadway juts into the lagoon, making a path towards a pontoon of floating solar panels. About 2% of the atoll’s annual power needs will be harnessed
Renewable roundup
While global targets on ensuring access to affordable, reliable energy for all under the Sustainable Development Goals are unlikely to be met by 2030, take-up of renewables is on track. And while a number of Pacific
Death on the high seas
Hundreds of kilometres from home, isolated with strangers on the open ocean, risking life and limb to send money to their families, and all without an employment contract - this is the average day for some Fijian men
