A free and fair Fiji elections, NGOs urge
Fiji’s NGO Coalition on Human Rights (NGOCHR) is calling for free and fair elections in the upcoming December 14 elections. Members of the NGOCHR include the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC), Fiji
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Powerful earthquakes hit Solomon Islands
Damaged buildings and widespread power outages have been reported in the Solomon Islands’ capital, Honiara, after two earthquakes occurred off the southwest coast of Guadalcanal Province on Tuesday. The first
Stop urban drift, says PNG Govt
Papua New Guinea deputy Prime Minister John Rosso says the Government is looking at re-introducing the Vagrancy Act to curb the rise in crime and lawlessness in urban centres around the country. Rosso was responding in
Why Western Central Pacific Ocean Tuna Fisheries’ certification is under threat
Approximately half of the world’s tuna catch comes from the Western Central Pacific Ocean. However, the long-term sustainability of these important stocks could be at risk if governments cannot agree joint strategies
First refugees from offshore camps arrive in New Zealand
The first refugees to come to New Zealand after spending years in offshore Australian detention camps have arrived. The group landed in Auckland on Tuesday afternoon, with the Government confirming the first six
Tuvalu’s Paeniu lauds recognition of loss and damage at COP27
Tuvalu’s Minister of Finance Seve Paeniu has praised the decision by the UN climate summit in Egypt, known as COP27, to formally recognise loss and damage from climate change. The move opens the way for more
‘More smoke than fire’: China’s Pacific aid falls short of pledges
Beijing’s development spending has fallen despite efforts to build influence in the region. In 2017, Papua New Guinea’s government announced a long-awaited AUD$4.1bn (US$2.6bn) upgrade of the nation’s potholed
New Caledonia agrees to sale of controversial nickel mine
Political leaders in French overseas territory New Caledonia have agreed new terms for the sale of the Brazilian-owned Goro nickel mine. The deal gives a majority stake-holding to state entities based on the island
Solomon Islands PM assures region of a thrilling safe Pacific Games
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has assured the visiting Pacific Games 2023 Chiefs of Missions that Solomon Islands is ready to deliver one of the most thrilling and safe chapters of the Pacific Games
COP27 closes with deal on loss and damage
After days of intense negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh, countries at the latest UN Climate Change Conference, COP27, reached agreement on an outcome that established a funding mechanism to compensate vulnerable nations
U.S., Japan back Australia’s Digicel Pacific purchase
The U.S. and Japan have announced they will back the Australian government’s unprecedented move to fund Telstra’s purchase of the Pacific’s largest telco, stumping up around $150 million (US$100
‘We have changed the game globally’: Samoa stars push for more Tests
Samoan players have pledged to keep playing for the Pacific nation and they may be joined by more stars after changing the face of the international game by qualifying for the World Cup final. After shocking Tonga and
Ocean miner completes controversial Pacific trials
The Canadian miner, the Metals Company, has announced the completion of a controversial deep sea bed mining trial in the Pacific. The trial was approved by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in September much to
Remote undersea Volcano likely erupting near CNMI
A volcano is likely erupting deep beneath the Pacific Ocean in the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, but scientists don’t know for sure because it’s so inaccessible. All indications are that
Nauru laments failure from “those with real power”
Nauru, one of the Pacific countries at the forefront of the climate crisis, has lamented the failure of what they describe as “people with real power” to avert the climate crisis. Speaking during the resumed
U.S. asked not to ‘micromanage’ FSM
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has called on the United States to let the Pacific nation manage its own financial responsibilities under the Compact of Free Association, noting that the funds provided by the
U.S. urges Pacific islands to set example on methane emissions
U.S. climate envoy John Kerry urged Pacific island states last week to join global efforts to cut methane emissions in hopes it would sway major emitters China and India to follow suit. Speaking at the UN’s COP27
PNG wins majority stake in Barrick-Zijin gold mine
Barrick Gold Corp has reached a deal that gives the Papua New Guinea government a majority share in the Porgera gold mine as part of plans to restart operations, the company said on Friday. The deal will set a benchmark
Oceans yet to make it to formal climate talks agenda
Fiji and other Pacific Small Island Developing Countries (PSIDS) continued their push to include oceans on the agenda of the global climate talks in Sharm El Sheikh this week despite very little movement on the issue in
Tuvalu to protect maritime boundaries despite rising seas
In another first for the world, the island nation of Tuvalu has embarked on a national contingency plan to preserve and protect its statehood and sovereignty, in the event it becomes uninhabitable by 2050. It’s not
Early gains for gender and climate change text at COP27
After a week of technical negotiations on the draft climate and gender text, the Pacific lead on gender and climate change, Eunice Dus is quietly optimistic of the gains made here in Sharm El Sheikh to push for language
COP27: Biden’s new initiatives, PNG signs carbon deal
America has reassured Pacific and world leaders who are fighting for a 1.5 to Stay Alive outcome at COP27 in Egypt, of its commitment and renewed leadership to avert “climate hell.” President, Joe Biden, highlighted
Samoa Court quashes appointment of Leota
Samoa’s Court of Appeal has found the appointment of Toomata Norah Leota as the 7th woman MP to be illegal and her subsequent swearing in as a member of the Legislative Assembly as invalid. “We declare that no
