PNG census almost completed
Most of the counting for the Papua New Guinea National Census 2024 has been completed, according to Administrative Services Minister Richard Masere. “We have completed well over 333 local level governments (LLGs),
News
Sevens a golden opportunity for Solomon Islands sport tourism
As the Solomon Islands begins final preparations for its hosting of next month’s 2024 Oceania Rugby Sevens Tournament, Tourism Solomons has described the event as yet another major opportunity for the country to show
Opinion: How Vanuatu can return to sustainable growth after Airline bankruptcy
Vanuatu, the Pacific archipelago nation of about 350,000 people between Australia and Fiji, finds itself at a crucial crossroads. The IMF’s recent staff report on Vanuatu reveals an economy grappling with a series of
Moment of truth for plastic treaty talks
Talks began in Busan, South Korea, on Monday aiming to clinch a legally binding deal on plastics pollution. The meeting follows two years of intergovernmental negotiations to develop a legally binding global instrument
The Australia-Pacific COP31 bid is in limbo. What now?
Australia and Pacific Island nations had hoped to leave this year’s global climate talks in Azerbaijan having won a bid to host the COP31 summit in 2026. Instead, that decision on who will host the 31st “conference
Zane Yoshida elected President of Australia Fiji Business Council
The Australia Fiji Business Council has elected Zane Yoshida, Founder of The Calmer Co, as it’s 15th President. His appointment, effective immediately, was confirmed at the Council’s 38th Annual General Meeting
Taiwan says President Lai to visit Pacific allies
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te will visit three Pacific Island nation allies from the end of this month in his first overseas trip since taking office, the presidential office said Friday. Presidential spokeswoman Karen
COP29 climate talks end with $300 billion annual pledge, Guterres calls deal a ‘base to build on’
Rich nations pledged to contribute at least US$300 billion annually to the global fight against climate change as UN climate talks came to a contentious end early Sunday morning in Baku. UN News Center reports that
Tonga’s PM Hu ‘akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni faces another no-confidence vote
Tongan Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni is facing a new no-confidence vote following recent political tensions and concerns raised by the King. Kaniva Tonga News reports the Speaker of Parliament, Lord
Emmanuel Tjibaou elected as Union Calédonienne president
Kanak cultural leader Emmanuel Tjibaou has been elected as president of Union Calédonienne, the oldest and largest political party in New Caledonia. His election came at the 43rd Union Calédonienne congress, held last
EU Parliament votes to Permanently end Vanuatu’s Schengen Visa waiver
The European Parliament has voted 62-1, with two abstentions, to end Vanuatu’s visa-free access to the Schengen Area. Parliament Rapporteur Paulo Cunha notes this marks “the first time we have removed a third
Family slain by Bougainville community leaders
Bougainville Police are investigating the brutal killing of a family of six over sorcery allegations. The Post Courier reports that the six included two uncles, two brothers, their sister and a nephew from Pakia
Junk cars becoming environmental concern in Samoa
The number of junk vehicles in Samoa’s ‘vehicle graveyards’ is growing posing an environmental concern with the absence of policies and laws to deal with the problem. The Samoa Observer reports that
PNG set to host Climate Change 42nd GCF Board Meeting in 2025
Papua New Guinea is set to host a high-level climate change meeting mid next year, being the second in the Pacific to host such an event after Samoa 10 years ago. The Post Courier newspaper reports that the Green
Australian migration laws crackdown blasted by experts, advocates
Australia’s plan to pay countries to accept its deported non-citizens is amongst a raft of measures under scrutiny at a Senate inquiry that legal experts and advocates have panned as undermining the rule of law.
China returns to Pacific with aid and influence push, report shows
China has regained its place as the second-biggest bilateral donor to the Pacific Islands, displacing the United States and targeting its spending to win influence, a Lowy Institute report on aid to the region found.
Solomon Islands loses USD$15.1 million in productivity due to violence
A UN Women costing study shows that Solomon Islands has lost approximately USD$15.1 million in the annual productivity of women in the formal sector due to violence in 2021. This accounts for 1% of the country’s gross
Vanuatu Parliament dissolution challenged in court
The Vanuatu Opposition bloc has filed a case in court challenging President Nikenike Vurobaravu’s decision to dissolve Parliament amid a no-confidence motion against him. The Vanuatu Daily Post/AAP reports that
Pacific negotiators frustrated by ‘slow process’ of climate talks
Pacific climate leaders were frustrated by the sluggish rate of progress made during the first week of the UN climate meeting in Azerbaijan. RNZ PACIFIC reports that the big goal of this COP is to increase annual
Palauan youth allege human rights violations by US military
Guam-based international law firm Blue Ocean Law has filed a submission to two United Nations independent human rights experts detailing human rights violations they say are caused by the United States’ ongoing
Snap election looms in Vanuatu
The president of Vanuatu has dissolved parliament, triggering a snap-election, for the second time in two years. RNZ reports that Nikenike Vurobaravu’s decision comes on the eve of a motion of no-confidence from
New Zealand Treaty protests continue
New Zealand’s Maori Queen will join a generationally significant protest to support the Treaty of Waitangi as it reaches a climax in Wellington. Opposition to the nation-dividing Treaty Principles Bill has already
Pacific education: Backsliding outcomes and a financing freefall
Education outcomes in the Pacific are faltering. Across much of the region, participation in formal education is declining, along with graduation rates and academic performance. Both domestic and international funding
