We Say
Friends and foes in a new frontier INDIA’S forum for Pacific leaders in Jaipur last month came at an opportune time for regional heads of government and pre-empted their meeting in Port Moresby. Held just over a year
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RACE against TIME
THE 3rd Annual PIDF Summit will be held at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva from September 2 to 4. The theme is “Building Climate Resilient Green Blue Economies.” Delegates from across the Pacific and
Church ‘crucified’
The flock see RED THE financial woes of Tonga’s Free Wesleyan Church drew so much attention that the elite Australian commercial law firm of Clayton Utz looked at the issue in detail. Founded 1833, it is one of
Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga
THE Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga (Siasi Uesiliana Tau’ataina ‘o Tonga) has overseas congregations in Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Fiji. It is the largest Christian denomination in the
PACER Plus nears completion.
GIVEN that world trade in 2013-2014 amounted to US$18 trillion, increasing the Pacific’s share by a mere 0.1 represents at least $18 billion worth of additional trade between Pacific Island Countries and other
Internet revolution on the wing
TELECOMMUNICATIONS and Internet revolution in Palau hinges on funding opportunities and political backing. Palau, with the Federated States of Micronesia earlier has formed a Micro-Pal Fiber Optic Joint Committee last
$ lure at tuna talks
THE biggest tuna industry gathering in the Western and Central Pacific region, the prestigious Pacific Tuna Forum is on again, set to hold its 5th gathering at the luxurious Sofitel Resort, Denarau, Nadi, Fiji, from
BIG DRY
Rising bill of PNG’s El Nino disaster EL Nino battered Papua New Guinea is bracing for more serious onslaught with predictions for worse in months ahead and into next year. The El Nino extreme weather has peaked
West PAPUA hot on agenda
Another modest victory for pro-independence movement PACIFIC leaders are expected to discuss the situation facing the people of West Papua when they hold their annual Forum in Papua New Guinea this month. Although the
A catastrophic failure of ambition
AT the 1997 Forum leaders’ meeting in Rarotonga, Australian Prime Minister John Howard blocked a regional consensus on climate policy. Forum leaders were hoping for a strong, common position to take to Japan that
Editor’s Note
ATTENDING a Pacific trade and investment seminar in Fiji last month, the official delegate from the Cook Islands spoke what must have been going through the minds of many a delegate when he said, “As a small
Whispers
LIKE flotsam, the power of the published word – via newspapers – seems to have floated across the Pacific Ocean and nestled on the shores of Samoa to flourish in that island country’s world of
Controversy rocks church
PASTORS out over $21m debt THREE church ministers are embroiled in controversy with their employer after they were suspended over their role in a AU$21million debt in Australia. Reverends Sione Pinomi, Viliami Tu’akoi
NO to Pacific-US trade pact
PNG accuses Forum of ‘misleading’ island nations HOPES for a free trade agreement between the islands of the Pacific and the United States were not enthusiastically embraced by senior officials of the
Winds of support propel Pacific Meteorological Services
THE “Nuku’alofa Declaration for Sustainable Weather and Climate Services for a Resilient Pacific” was endorsed by the first ever Pacific Ministers of Meteorology in Tonga in July. This is the first
Official line on TV bump
THE world of TV can be a cutthroat business with operators trying to squeeze maximum dollar out of every possible minute of programming. That’s why it matters as to who holds the rights to sports events such as
CFL: A Pacific ‘homegrown’ media success story
ON July 5, 2015, Fiji and the Pacific’s largest commercial radio broadcast company, Communications Fiji Limited (CFL), achieved a milestone, marking 30 years of “homegrown” success. The company has
PNG dethrones French-trained New Caledonia
WHEN the curtains came down on the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby, there was more to celebrate than just Papua New Guinea’s landslide victory on the medal table. The host country dethroned New Caledonia,
Forum discord as concerns mount over Nauru situation
THERE appears to be some discord within the Pacific Forum over the mounting international and regional concerns about what some Pacific Forum member countries view as a breakdown in democracy in Nauru. Apart from
Sparks fly as islanders step up the ante for Rugby World Cup
IF Fiji’s performance in the Pacific Nations Cup is anything to go by, then the world is in for a treat come September. The Fijians reminded their Rugby World Cup pool A rivals – England, Australia, Wales
CSOs respond to Pacific Forum Inclusivity Initiative
THE Pacific Forum Secretariat’s Specialist Sub-Committee on Regionalism has received a total of 68 proposals for regional initiatives from a wide crosssection of Pacific communities including Non Governmental
Right royal challenge for Tupou VI
ON the road from Fua’amotu International Airport to Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa, the red and white bunting has gathered dust and is starting to look tired. The miniature flags hang limply on the fences
Less hui, lot more tui
Kiwi envoy speaks his mind about fishery and more TALKS are into advanced stages about getting skilled fishermen from Kiribati and Tuvalu to work in New Zealand’s fishing industry. Ambassador Shane Jones, New