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
Watch and wait: University strike on hold
Staff and students at the University of the South Pacific have spent the past few months voicing their concerns through marches and strike mandates, awaiting the outcomes of their efforts. The USP Council is now
Reef rehabilitation: Bold initiatives make a difference
It is the oceans challenge of our time: to protect and sustainably manage unique coral ecosystems. Several innovative strategies are being used in Indonesia to help coral reefs recover and repair, which could
Movers and Shakers
Kiribati’s Taneti Maamau has been elected as President for the third-term in a row. As we went to press, unofficial results had Pulaalii Nikolao Pula successfully elected as the new Governor for American Samoa, and
Spirit, vibrancy, art: Solomons singer dominates
Chris Kamu'ana Rohoimae, a talented artist from the Solomon Islands, has emerged victorious in the ABC Pacific Break 2024 competition. This achievement marks a significant milestone in his career, showcasing his unique
Taking Samoan cricket to new heights
Samoa had a successful outing at the Men’s T20 Cricket East-Asia/Pacific Sub-Regional Qualifiers in August, demonstrating the great potential and homegrown talent found in the islands. Amongst the highlights was
Music and politics: A Pacific story of power and passion
Since the dawn of time, music and politics have long held many things in common. Both rely on harmony and disharmony to create tension. In music, tension creates an atmosphere that yearns for resolution. And when the
We Say: When issues find voice
As an oral people, Pacific islanders often put their thoughts into words and later into song or chants. These cries from the soul speak to the issues which trouble indigenous people – colonisation, suppression of
Whispers
Priceless fence There’s a fence being built around a Pacific institute of learning. Students and staff raised FJ$170,000 to build the fence two years ago. Only last month did work on this barrier actually begin. News
Briefs
American Samoa A runoff election is set for the American Samoa gubernatorial race after no candidate secured the required 50% majority. The team of Pulaalii Nikolao Pula and Pulu Ae Ae Jr led with 42.4% of votes (4284),
My missile is bigger than your missile
For the first time in more than 40 years, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has fired an unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile across the Pacific, to splash down in waters near French
COP29 – Action, Not Talk
PACIFIC leaders head for Azerbaijan and COP29 in November, buoyed by recognition at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa of the dangers of climate change to the region and the
You’re not alone: Church helps bear climate change burden
ON a remote, windswept coastline at Togoru on Fiji’s southern coast, Barney Dunn surveys the land his family has occupied for five
Where does climate change finance go?
IN 2020, the New Zealand government pledged NZ$150 million for Pacific-focused climate change
Whispers
Whispers: what's happening around the Pacific region in politics, business and other news featured on Islands Business October 2024
Last gasp efforts to save Air Vanuatu
As Vanuatu’s government seeks to revive Air Vanuatu, the World Bank has pointed to the airline’s collapse as a cautionary tale about the risks of “opaque State-Owned Enterprise
