Opinion: What will US aid cuts mean for Papua New Guinea and the Pacific?
The Trump Administration’s freeze on foreign aid will be felt around the world, including in Papua NewGuinea. While the Trump Administration’s freeze on foreign aid will have an impact around the world, the decision
Opinion: Whose canoe? ‘Moana 2’ debate exposes AI threat to Pacific languages
As Moana sailed the Pacific late last year in her traditional canoe on the big screen, a heated debate raged online over the ownership of this potent symbol that unites Pacific islanders. The discussion of her canoe in
As Trump deportations intensify, Pacific Island nations worry they could be overwhelmed
In his first term, Donald Trump deported far fewer people from the United States than his three predecessors: Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Just weeks into his second term, however, Trump is making the
NZ Government cuts Pacific language funding by over 50%
A review of investments supporting Pacific education priorities has resulted in a major reduction in funding. Information obtained by PMN News through an Official Information Act (OIA) request reveals that funding for
Opinion: President Surangel Whipps Jr.’s inaugural address – A visionary agenda or a familiar refrain?
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr.’s 16 January inaugural address delivered a broad vision for Palau’s future, addressing the nation’s role in geopolitics, domestic challenges and environmental stewardship.
Opinion: Strong leader preferred – Fiji’s coup legacy
Complete democratisation will remain a challenge for Fiji while former military officers continue to dominate politics. Strong leaders that bend rules received higher approval ratings in the inaugural Fiji post-election
How can Vanuatu’s new parliament rebuild public trust?
As communities across Vanuatu welcomed a new year and contemplated multiple aspiring political candidates ahead of the 16 January snap election, a popular reggae song was making the rounds. Ol pipol oli taet (People
Nauru’s new citizenship program is leading the world
Generating revenue has always been a challenge for Pacific Island nations, but the amount of funding required has dramatically increased with the need for large-scale climate resilience solutions, including expensive
Opinion: Trump’s relations with the Blue Pacific
The second Trump administration will find a region different from when last in office. Pacific Islands countries view Donald Trump’s impending return as US president with hope and apprehension. Trump’s attention on
Opinion: Another ‘small death’ for local journalism
Seven years ago, one of Saipan Tribune’s contributors asked me if there was some sort of collusion between the Saipan Tribune and its competitor, the Marianas Variety. Did the two newspapers share information and have
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
Te Ipukarea Society: Deep seabed mining and the emerging risk to our tuna fisheries
Last week saw the Cook Islands host one of the most significant meetings with respect to the shared tuna stocks in the region. That was the annual session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission,
COP28: Celebrating the Crumbs
After 28 years of international climate negotiations, the COP summit finally reached an agreement to transition away from fossil fuels. The mention of fossil fuels is in itself a breakthrough. But it is low-hanging
Opinion: ‘Strategic Manipulation’
Was it a faux pas? Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Henry Puna has referred to the United States’ return to the region after 10 years of neglect with “the proliferation of regional strategies and
Opinion: A call for medical détente in the Pacific Islands
Pooling the expertise and resources of development partners is a win not only for regional healthcare but soft diplomacy, Eileen Natuzzi writes. As U.S. and China competition increases in the region, perhaps it is time
ANZ’s stubborn optimism on the PNG economy
In 2013, the ANZ Bank produced a big report on PNG’s economic future in which it expounded on its “considerable optimism about the country’s future”. The report outlined three scenarios for the resources sector:
Considering the possible impacts of deep sea mining in the Cook Islands
In the recent Parliament opening, King’s Representative Sir Tom Masters spoke of the Cook Islands’ desire to develop a sustainable and environmentally responsible seabed minerals sector. This week, also in
Opinion: China-here, there and everywhere
The end of the compact negotiations between Ambassador Joseph Yun and the freely associated states is only 50% of the struggle to completion. The remainder is in the U.S Congress and dealing with the proposed
Longer timeframes in development
Short-term project cycles are failing island communities because it is not considerate of communities’ realities, and it does not allow for critical first steps like addressing complex systemic issues. We believe that
2050 Strategy is essentially political
Regionalists generally identify three characteristics of regionalism, namely: economics, security and politics. Economic regionalism focuses on economic and financial aspects. Generally speaking, this is effectively an
PNG media under threat
Over his nearly four-year tenure as Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister, James Marape has continued to trumpet his slogan – “Take Back PNG”. The trademark phrase, which has similar connotations to former U.S
Samoa PM Fiame Mata’afa’s inaugural FDC Pacific Lecture
Talofa Lava and warm Pacific greetings. I’m honoured to be given the opportunity to deliver this Pacific Lecture, as has been the tradition for the Lowy Institute to host world leaders in order to foster positive
If we value human rights and the rule of law, then we must fight for climate justice
Human life is sacred and every individual deserves an equal chance in life. We have a common desire, we all want to lead a free, fulfilling existence, with dignity, where our basic needs are met, with opportunities to