Expanding financial inclusion in Fiji
To make everyday bank transactions easier, Fiji has published its National Payment System Act 2021 and Regulations 2022 in the National Gazette, becoming effective September 30. This marks a critical milestone in
Full text: Declaration on U.S.- Pacific partnership
Full text of U.S.-Pacific summit: We—the governments of Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa,
Nauru cabinet sworn into office
Nauru’s newly-elected cabinet ministers have been sworn into office for the next three years. Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony today, Russ Joseph Kun, Nauru’s new president who gained his seat unopposed,
Pacific Community’s Agricultural Gene Bank wins Global Award
The Pacific region, where most people depend on agriculture and fisheries for sustenance and income, is now one step ahead in food security, Inter Press Service reports. The region’s agricultural gene bank,
Tonga lifts most COVID health restrictions
After two-years and six-months, Tonga has lifted most of its COVID-19 health restrictions, including that for international travel and the national curfew, effective from September 27. The border has now fully
Telikom PNG makes K28million profit
Telikom PNG Limited, in which the two major superannuation funds are planning to own more than 50 per cent shares, has recorded a K28 million (US$7.9 million) profit in the last financial year. Telikom paid shareholder
Climate finance, economic recovery features on day one of US-Pacific leaders summit
Pacific Islands leaders have completed their first day of meetings with the U.S. administration of President Joe Biden, with economic issues, health and COVID-19 vaccine distribution, and climate change on the agenda.
The Pacific at the UN: climate and Japan wastewater
Now it’s time for U.S. talks The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretary General, Henry Puna, says Pacific leaders stood strong at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA77) in New York, raising issues
Russ Kun elected unopposed as Nauru president
Russ Kun is the newly elected president of Nauru, nominated unopposed in the inaugural sitting of the 24th Parliament, Wednesday. Marcus Stephen was re-elected as the Speaker of Parliament and former president Lionel
Samoa economy in ‘historical-high’ recession
Samoa has recorded a historical-high recession in the FY2021 with the country’s border closure resulting in a sharp contraction of tourism, says the World Bank. In its 2022 Economic Update for the Pacific Islands
PNG offers gas field priority to Japan for energy security
Papua New Guinea offered Japanese companies favoured access to new gas field development opportunities and liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing projects in trade talks on Tuesday that focused on energy security, PNG
Samoa name powerful World Cup squad
Toa Samoa‘s World Cup credentials have been underlined by the inclusion of eight players from the Penrith and Parramatta grand final teams in a powerful squad announced on Tuesday. Samoa are the first Pacific
PNG ‘extremely frustrated’ over extradition request for Samson Jubi
A Papua New Guinea government minister and top justice officials say they are “extremely frustrated” with Australia for harbouring a Cairns resident wanted for one of the biggest alleged frauds in the
Over 70 seats disputed in PNG Election
A massive 74 out of 118 seats that were contested in the Papua New Guinea 2022 General Election (NGE) have been disputed and are now before the National Court to determine the results. This is the second highest number
217 applicants for Vanuatu snap election
At least 217 individuals have applied to contest the upcoming Vanuatu snap election. Deputy Principal Electoral Officer (PEO), Gary Tavoa, confirmed this was the total number of applications they received out from over
22 WW2 bombs found in Tuvalu lagoon
Twenty two 500lb WWII-era bombs have been located underwater at Nanumea in Tuvalu, by a naval team from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. The Tuvalu government had asked the Australian Defence Force
WESPAC opposes Pacific monument expansion
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WESPAC) has again made clear its position against further expansion of monuments in the Pacific Ocean and the possible consequences to the Pacific island fishing
Santos gets US$1.1billion offer for five percent stake in PNG LNG
Santos Ltd has received a US$1.1 billion binding offer from Papua New Guinea’s state-owned Kumul Petroleum for a five stake in PNG liquefied natural gas (PNG LNG) project, the country’s biggest resources
New island discovered after Tonga volcano eruption
The Home Reef volcano – found in the Central Tonga Islands – erupted this month and within hours, the Earth’s newest land mass had formed. Lava from the volcano was cooled by the ocean water, forming the
Nauru elects new parliament
Nauru president Lionel Aingimea is among the members of parliament who have been re-elected in the weekend poll. However, declared results show that two former presidents, Baron Waqa and Ludwig Scotty, failed to win any
More sound scientific proof needed on Fukushima water: Pacific leaders
The President of the Federated States of Micronesia denounced at the United Nations last Thursday Japan’s decision to discharge what he called nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power
Marshall Islands halt talks with U.S. over nuclear testing legacy
The Marshall Islands halted key negotiations with the U.S. on Friday over ongoing grievances relating to nuclear testing dating back 70 years on the atolls. Discussions planned for this weekend to renew the terms of the
First ‘Triple-Dip’ La Niña of the century declared
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has declared the first “Triple-Dip” La Niña of the century with stronger winds, higher sea-levels and warmer oceans as possible impacts of the event. This is