Controlled fertility rates linked to economic growth patterns
I f there is any resource in which Pacific Island Countries can be certain of achieving sustainability and continuous socio-economic gain, it is its youth cohort. The key however is significant and serious investment in
Protocol aims to protect traditional knowledge from exploitation
History was made in Pyeongchang, Korea in October with the first Meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol, a landmark agreement covering access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits
States must help pay for insurance
It’s that time of the year, again, when much of the Pacific Islands region braces for what everyone calls the ‘cyclone season.’ Over the next several months, weathermen and weatherwomen across the
Everything they do seems like a kneejerk reaction
More recently in our globalised world, the word contagion has increasingly come to be used in the contexts of terrorism or financial crises – or for that matter anything that spreads fast and with little control,
Democracy is relatively new and unique
Aspate of successful elections in the South Pacific in the latter half of this year spells a resounding win for democracy in the region and for Pacific peoples. There is no such thing as a perfect democracy, just as
Whispers
Drama in the royal court … The benign reign of Tonga’s newest monarch hit the newspaper headlines recently when King Tupou VI (pictured) reportedly intervene in the desire by one of his sons, fourth in line
War leaves a lasting legacy of unexploded bombs
I n September 1944, US Marines stormed ashore the beaches of Peleliu Island in Palau. The assault was preceded by a massive naval bombardment and air strike, to weaken the Japanese forces which were hidden in caves or
Cyberbattle for the region
How does a 10-day birthday celebration happen across the entire Pacific without a single mention? The answer is Kurukuru, the region’s most comprehensive maritime surveillance partnership targeting illegal,
Disasters do happen, but are Pacific countries pointed in the right direction?
Geographically, the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) fall within one of the most disaster-prone regions on earth. And the region’s combined population of almost 10 million people is vulnerable to natural hazards
What does a regional seat at the top table bring?
New Zealand’s long campaign to get itself a seat on the coveted United Nations Security Council came to fruition last month, when it quite comfortably won votes from 145 of 193 UN member states. It needed just 129
World Bank leads charge for reform
Plans attempt to lift lifestyle Imagine a region where mobile phones and internet access are as common as public buses. Also for a moment picture a region where words like obesity, poverty, illiteracy and gender
Vulnerable states qualify for special privileges
Assistance packages support lending rates Graduation of least developed countries is no conspiracy by bigger and wealthier developed states to absolve them from helping countries that are in need of special assistance,
Affordability raises tertiary student numbers
Affordability of university education in terms of fees and easy access are a key objective of three universities in the Pacific. Already, all three universities based in Fiji – the Fiji National University
University makes its mark at regional showcase
The University of the South Pacific is clearly making its mark in the development of the region across all aspects ranging from Education, Renewable Energy, Research, Pacific Cultures, Agriculture, Learning and Teaching
Kanak warrior home from Paris museum
After 136 years, the skull of chief Ataï has come home. In a moving ceremony in Paris, the remains of this 19th century Kanak warrior have been returned to New Caledonia. On August 28, France’s Overseas Minister
National romps home for a third time
The very design of New Zealand’s Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) electoral system is meant to ensure a good balance between different political persuasions. The system affords most segments of the political
Sandalwood Blood: A tiny glimpse of history
The sandalwood trade flourished in Fiji in the 19th century with China being one of the main recipients of the much desired wood. But business back then was not as straightforward as one would have hoped and given the
Syrian crisis touches lives in the Pacific
The leader of a major western country while recently visiting a Pacific Island nation asked the host Prime Minister if his country could export some of the peacefulness of his country to the world. The Pacific Islands
New Dynamics in Regional Politics
One of the stand out features of this year’s Forum Leaders Summit in Palau was the decision to appoint Meg Taylor, a female to head the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. It is not ground breaking though in so far
Elections will bring a return to confidence
With the successful completion of last month’s election process, Fijians have hit the reset button on their polity. They have elected their first democratic government in as many as eight years. International
Reflecting on the Third United Nations Conference on Small Island Developing States
Samoa showcased to the world a people united when they hosted over 4,000 delegates to the Third United Nations Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Hailed as the best United Nations conference ever, UN
Small islands must help themselves
Samoa deserves all the credit for successfully pulling off the third United Nations Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) conference in Apia last month. It was the biggest event of its kind to be ever held in the
Marshalls will showcase power plant energy savings
W hen over a hundred Pacific island power utility officials meet for their annual conference in Majuro next year, they will see new heat recovery generators in action at the capital city’s power plant. Majuro is