Briefs
American SamoaA new submarine cable between Samoa and American Samoa has been agreed, to further enhance Internet and communications connectivity. The MOU states that the cable will run between Upolu and Tutuila and
Latest Magazine Articles
Opinion: Republic of Korea-Pacific Islands relations step up
The Republic of Korea (ROK) and 12 Pacific Island Countries (PICs) opted to step-up their relations after the fifth meeting of their respective Ministers of Foreign Affairs that was held in Busan, ROK, last October.
Movers and Shakers
Dr Amelia Latu Afuhaamango Tuipulotu is the World Health Organisation’s new Chief Nursing Officer. In 2019, Dr Tuipulotu became Tonga’s first female Minister for Health, and has been a member of the WHO Executive
We Say: Disunity, fear and personal attacks
When Fiji emerges from the December 14 elections, the nation will have a government it truly deserves. The new parliament will be a house which mirrors the Fijian people, their hopes and aspirations. It will also
Fiji Votes: A case of youth apathy or activism?
Young voters again have the opportunity to determine the result of Fiji’s election and the direction of the country in December, but many feel that political parties and candidates have failed to address the issues
Social media and Fiji’s 2022 National Election
Social media has become a necessary tool for political campaigning in Fiji politics since the 2014 national elections. This was the same for the elections in 2018 and is proving to be the case for the 2022 national
Jobs, debt, inflation, representation: Issues concerning Fiji youth
Islands Business’ Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti asked young voters about the upcoming Fiji elections, and the issues of concern to them. This is what some of them had to say: Akansha, 21, from Nakasi, Suva is voting for
Vote for a ‘vibrant, functioning democracy’, students told
Fijian youths found their voice at a recent talanoa dialogue on the upcoming election with panelists that included the Supervisor of Elections (SoE), Mohammed Saneem. The University of the South Pacific Students
Whispers
Welcome – to whose country? At a welcome for Australia's new consul-general in Noumea, the ceremony was opened by customary chiefs from the Drubea-Kapume region of New Caledonia - a welcome to country from indigenous
Briefs
American SamoaThe population of American Samoa has decreased below 50,000. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s October update, the population count came to 49,710, far less than 56,084 recorded in 2010. The
Less prayer, more presence
It’s not every day that a young Pacific islander tells regional church leaders to stop praying about climate change and take firm, practical measures which people can see. Fresh off the flight from COP27 in Egypt,
A tick for loss and damage
The disconnect between countries was palpable at the recent COP27 climate conference, as small island nations fought with developing countries to get their issues onto the agenda and into negotiations. Addressing the
Vanuatu water efforts get GFC boost
Water security in Vanuatu is to be improved under a US$23 million project under the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The project to climate-proof water sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, and improve water management
Development, Indigeneity and existing tables
For real and collective development, we must stop insisting on localising strategies, frameworks, tools, or whatever else our Pacific communities keep getting fed with, because it worked somewhere else. We require
Opinion: Declaration on U.S.-Pacific Partnership abrogates established order
The United States signed the Declaration on U.S.-Pacific Partnership with fourteen Pacific Island Countries (PICs) in Washington on 29 September 2022. Of the sixteen PICs, members of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF),
Toa Samoa: One for the history books
So close and yet so far. That was what it came down to as the Toa Samoa valiantly fought the Australia Kangaroos in a 30 – 10 Rugby League World Cup grand final slugfest at the legendary Old Trafford Stadium this
Sydney Road Blaks: Aboriginal and Island History comes to life
In 1847, a group of Pacific islanders were spotted on the road heading towards the city of Port Phillip (modern-day Melbourne). The ten men were hauling two drays laden with wool bales from the colony of New South
Movers and Shakers
Vanuatu has sworn in its 13th parliament. Ishmael Kalsakau is the country’s newly elected Prime Minister with Sato Kilman appointed as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Lands. Other cabinet ministers include: John
Japan’s recycling town: Can it inspire the Pacific?
When the residents of Osaki in southern Japan were first told about new plans for waste management and recycling in their small town, some were unhappy. “They threw cans at us,” said the Assistant Section Chief and
‘Til death do us part: Village holds out against the waves
As the sun sets over Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest island, a gong sounds, calling the people to evening prayers. Waves crash on the shoreline, inching ever closer to the village and threatening their very
A Holy Vow: Churches attempt a lost cause
On the black sand a child ran, face turned upwards as he chased a butterfly. Oblivious to the encroachment of rising sea levels and the gradual erosion of his village, he ran back and forth - lost in this moment. Fifty
A cog in Fiji’s history: Site links ancient kingdoms
One account of the origins of Vunisavisavi begins with a young chief setting out from the pre-European kingdom of Verata which was, at the time, a dominant political force. With his retainers, the chief left his home on
Whispers
PNG’s big bills Papua New Guinea government offices have been able to move back into their premises after temporarily being locked out over non-payment of rent, but the matter had to go to court for that to happen.