Disaster risk support needs better alignment with national priorities: Seruiratu
Fiji’s Minister for Disaster Management, Inia Seruiratu has been urging Fiji’s development partners to better align their support with the priorities of the national government in meetings in Indonesia this week.
Citizens’ voices needed on disaster risk reduction
Nauru’s delegate to this week’s Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction meeting says the needs of citizens needs to be heard in such gatherings. Roy Denton Harris, who is Nauru’s Secretary for National
USP Council raises concerns over finance risks
The University of the South Pacific’s Council has raised concerns about the financial and operating risks arising out of Fiji’s withheld grant, compounded by the COVID-19 economic impacts. In a statement
COVID-free Pacific island nations to open borders
Two of the last four remaining COVID-free nations in the world are preparing to open their borders. The Federated States of Micronesia has announced its plan to open its borders without quarantine beginning August
‘Quad’ security group to track Indo-Pacific illegal fishing
The U.S, Japan, Australia and India will on Tuesday unveil a maritime initiative aimed at curbing illegal fishing in the Indo-Pacific, a U.S official said, in the latest effort by the “Quad” to counter Chinese
China seeks security deals with Kiribati and Vanuatu
China is intensifying its drive for influence in the Pacific by negotiating security deals with two additional island nations following a pact with the Solomon Islands, according to officials in the U.S and allied
Solomon Islands congratulates Albanese on election win
The Solomon Islands has congratulated Australia’s new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on his election win as the 31st Prime Minister of Australia. Yet, “much however, remains to be done,” says Solomon Islands
Fiji writer Rokonadravu wins Pacific category of the 2022 Commonwealth Short Story Prize
Fiji writer, Mary Rokonadravu has won the 2022 Commonwealth Short Story Prize (Pacific) for her story, The Nightwatch. Rokonadravu described the win as affirming. “Stories are bridges to connect us with each other,
Albanese victory welcomed by Fiji PM
Pacific Islands leaders will be hoping that the swearing in of Australia’s new Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese tomorrow morning will herald a new era in climate action from Australia. Fiji Prime Minister, Frank
Vanuatu government eyes minimum wage increase
The Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) is against the decision to have private sector employees receive a severance pay at the rate of two months’ salary, against the number of years in service. The
PNG nominations off to a good start
Hundreds of candidates have bid to be part of Papua New Guinea’s 11th parliament as nominations for the 2022 General Elections started around the country Thursday after weeks of various delays and uncertainty.
Cook Islands receives great residency interest
Over 200 Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for Permanent Residence have been received by the Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI), with 71 online submissions pending. The applications include
Cook Islands Deputy PM reinstated
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has announced that the seven-month suspension of Robert Tapaitau who is facing fraud related and theft charges as a Minister of the Crown has been lifted ahead of the general
Tongan island community to rebuild on ‘Eua
The island community of Mango in Ha’apai, Tonga who were affected by the tsunamis and volcano eruption on 15 January will have their homes rebuilt on the outer island of ‘Eua. ‘Eua is a high raised island in the
Australia, NZ and the PICs: a new era for PACER?
By Dr Wadan Narsey Australia has been jolted out of its self-declared “vuvale” (family) complacency in its relations to the Pacific. Following the recent political fall-out in Australia because of the
CNMI Governor Ralph Torres acquitted by Senate
Commonwealth of Northern Marianas (CNMI) Governor Ralph Torres has been acquitted of all the charges filed against him by the Democrat-Independent-led House of Representatives in six articles of impeachment. The
PNG Commission sets poll timeline
Papua New Guinea Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai has announced that nominations for the 2022 PNG General Elections will be accepted from today, Thursday 19 May, and counting will be carried out in tandem with
U.S seeks to hasten Compact negotiations with Palau
The United States has expressed keen interest in expediting Compact negotiations with Palau, reported Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr after his visit to Washington DC earlier this month. President Whipps met with
Puma Energy PNG face foreign currency issues
Puma Energy PNG cannot possibly sustain its business if the foreign exchange (FX) issues remain unresolved, its country manager Hulala Tokome warned. “With the cost of crude, we cannot continue to sustain our business
Opinion: What do the stats tell us about the impacts of COVID-19 on Pacific economies – Q4 2021
Key economic indicators from the final quarter of 2021 indicate an uneven recovery for Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) economies from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new paper from the Pacific
Australia and next steps in the Pacific
Dr Anthony Bergin and Jeffrey Wall The Solomon Islands security agreement with China is a significant setback for Australia and the region. In barely three years Solomon Islands has gone from supporting Taiwan
PNG PM Marape calls for full investigation into deputy PM fatal accident
Papua New Guinea Police have been tasked to furnish a full investigation report on the death of Deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil and his bodyguard, first constable Neil Maino. Prime Minister James Marape told Basil’s
Gomes concerned about China’s advance in Melanesia
New Caledonia’s outgoing member of the French National Assembly, Philippe Gomes, has expressed concern about China’s position in the Pacific, saying Beijing has already colonised Vanuatu. Philippe Gomes, who