Forum Economic Ministers Meeting: a marriage of national priorities and regional strategies
Islands Business reporter Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti has been talking to Pacific Islands ministers and officials at the Forum Economic Ministers Meeting about their economic priorities and regional opportunities.
A wrap up of the Commonwealth Games 2022
Pacific athletes have done exceptionally well in this year’s Commonwealth Games, which came to an end this week. Teams from our Pacific shores finished the games with 13 medals – 1 gold, 7 silver, and 5 bronze.
Attempts to deport Kiribati High Court justice lead to airport stand-off
Attempts to deport a Kiribati High Court judge back to Australia have led to a lengthy airport stand-off, with Justice David Lambourne having since been placed in immigration detention.
Crypto ‘an unstable financial asset’ says UNCTAD
Cryptocurrency is an “unstable financial asset that can bring social risks and costs”, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) warned in three policy briefs on Wednesday. UNCTAD said their benefits to
New approach needed on climate finance
From international climate conferences to regional meetings, Pacific Islands have consistently lamented the difficulties of getting access to climate finance over the past few years. “Our climate finance needs are
Vanuatu at the FEMM: fuel prices, climate costs and supply chain challenges
The Vanuatu government hopes moves to set up fuel depot locally will help stabilise fuel prices in the country. Discussions in the leadup to the Forum Economic Minister’s Meeting which gets underway in Vanuatu today,
Three Tongan Cabinet Ministers lose appeal, elections void
Three Tongan Cabinet Ministers have lost their appeals against court decisions that declared their election results void. Eight judgments from a Special Court of Appeal session, held last month, were released late
Australia pledges $17m for Pacific Games amid top US diplomats tour
Australia will provide the Solomon Islands with more than A$17 million (USD$11.9 million) for the Pacific Games as a slate of ministers and top U.S. diplomats tour the region. Australian Pacific Minister Pat Conroy has
Vanuatu ministers lodge Motion of No Confidence
Attempts to change the Government’s democratic system tops the list of five reasons given by some MPs in the Motion of No Confidence against Vanuatu Prime Minister Bob Loughman. “The attempt to make significant
Marshall Islands sees first COVID-19 spread
The Marshall Islands lost its COVID-free status Monday when tests confirmed six positive cases in the capital, the first known community transmission since the pandemic started in early 2020. It was not immediately
James Marape elected unopposed as PNG Prime Minister
Tari Pori MP and Leader of PANGU Pati James Marape has been elected as Papua New Guinea Prime Minister for the 11th Parliament. Marape was elected unopposed, 97 for and none against. Among those that voted were
Regional economic ministers to meet: “the sense of urgency is real”
The 2022 Forum Economic Ministers Meeting which gets underway in Vanuatu this week will see regional ministers and officials discuss post-Covid economic recovery, alongside improved access to important dialogues for the
PNG Governor General invites Pangu Pati to form government
Papua New Guinea Governor General Sir Bob Dadae has invited the ruling Pangu Pati to form Government in the 11th Parliament. Pangu Pati won the highest number of seats in the 2022 National Election with 36 declared so
U.S. to host Pacific island summit: Sherman
United States President Joe Biden will host Pacific island leaders at the White House in September, a senior American diplomat said on Saturday, deepening a regional charm offensive to counter growing Chinese influence.
Kiribati: First commercial flight since border lockdown
Kiribati was in celebration mode last Thursday as the island gathered at Bonriki International Airport to welcome the country’s first commercial flight, two and a half years since the island nation’s COVID-19
Construction begins at Fukushima plant for water release
The construction of facilities for the planned release of treated radioactive wastewater into the sea next year from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant began last week, despite opposition from the local fishing
Historic gold win for Cikamatana
Pacific champion weightlifter Eileen Cikamatana has won another gold medal for Australia in the 87kg women’s category in Birmingham 2022. Cikamatana was able to set a new games record for her category in the snatch,
Nauru Police embarks on UN Mission in South Sudan
The first Nauru police to take part in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan departed last month (July 17), the Nauru Government says. Superintendent Imran Scotty, Sergeant Drusky Dabadauw and Senior
Australian pilot pleads guilty in PNG drug bust
Australian pilot David John Cutmore has pleaded guilty to transporting Papua New Guinea’s largest haul of cocaine two years ago. Cutmore took his plea in the PNG National Court at Waigani after Judge Teresa
Air Vanuatu to resolve schedule within two months
With its plans to recruit more ni-Vanuatu pilots, the national flag carrier’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Atu Finau, says the current situation of amended schedules on reduced flights is expected to be resolved
Niue: ‘Dramatic rise’ in COVID community cases
Community cases of COVID-19 in Niue have jumped from four to 21 since the first cases were reported last Thursday. Auckland University Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences associate dean Pacific Sir Colin
PNG election: Pangu leads, PNC jolted
The ruling Pangu Pati and its coalition parties have 46 elected MPs in camp and are confident of forming the next PNG government, says party leader and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape. In a joint
Commonwealth Games Update
After a few days of Commonwealth Games competition, let’s check-in with our Pacific athletes and see how they have fared so far in Birmingham. Fiji 7s settles for Silver again Rugby 7s was one of the most anticipated