Luve ni yali: Lost son of a seasonal worker
Luve ni yali, a newborn, was issued a fresh certificate of identity by a Pacific diplomatic mission in Canberra so that he could be repatriated home with his mother, a temporary migrant worker who fell pregnant while in
Opinion: The lowdown on Fiji
By Ambassador Kaliopate Tavola In drawing to conclude ‘What Is to Become of USP?’ (see Islands Business August 2020), I acquiesced to the prospect that the University may already be undergoing transition from a
Lordi- Where’s your daddy?
By Dennis Rounds I recently built up enough courage to take a pot-holed ride from the growingly decrepit western division to Fiji’s seat of power and burgeoning wealth, Suva. Along the way, I was entertained by
Colonialism Redux: How the EU is punishing Vanuatu for not ‘playing fair’
The unequal matchup between a bureaucratic behemoth and Vanuatu reveals more about history and geopolitics than it does about financial irregularities. (THE DIPLOMAT) In January 2015 the Asia/Pacific Group on Money
World Tuna Day: What does it mean for the Pacific?
Recent years have seen a power shift, with Pacific Islands Nations gaining greater control and revenue returns from their Tuna fisheries. This has been the result of cooperation and hard work. This article will show
Opinion: Forum’s moral failure for Melanesians
During the recent crisis over the appointment of Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat's new Secretary General (former Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna), much public debate occurred over the supposed "gentlemen's
The Low-down on USP
In drawing to conclude ‘What Is to Become of USP?’ (see Islands Business August 2020), I acquiesced to the prospect that the University may already be undergoing transition from a ‘public good’ to a ‘club
Opinion: Environmental protection and government’s failures
Last month the Suva Magistrates Court found the developers of a resort site on Fiji’s Malolo Islands guilty of undertaking development without an approved Environmental Impact Assessment Report. That development
Opinion: Australia should advocate for developing countries at the G7
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has invited Australia, along with India and South Korea, to attend this year’s prestigious Group of Seven Leaders’ Summit in June. This is a rare opportunity for Australia to
Opinion: Chinese overfishing in the South Pacific devastates some Islands’ livelihoods
Chinese fishing boats’ illegal overfishing in the South Pacific has been devastating some island economies. According to two former U.S. officials, “illegal, unregulated fishing by Chinese vessels has become common
Things fall apart
I was only two years old when Nigerian author Chinua Achebe published his novel, Things Fall Apart, in 1958. Achebe’s novel focused on the struggles, chaos and bewilderment which are the consequences of a culture on
The art of listening
At the celebration of Sir Michael Somare’s life at Suva’s Sacred Heart cathedral this month, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong spoke about the willingness to listen as one of the Grand Chief’s defining characteristics.
Farewell to the Chief
After three weeks of mourning, Papua New Guinea’ founding father, Sir Michael Somare, was laid to rest at Kreer Heights in Wewak, East Sepik Province on March 16. In Port Moresby, a national Haus Krai saw thousands of
What is to become of Pacific regionalism
In the September/October 2019 issue of this magazine, I reflected on the ‘Death of Pacific Regionalism?’ (also known as Pacific Islands Forum). It was a leading question in my mind at the time having just witnessed
We Say: Learning from regionalism’s success stories
Ten years ago Islands Business named the PNA, an acronym for the parties to the Nauru Agreement, as our Pacific ‘Organisation of the Year’, a recognition previously only given to individuals. Given the events of the
Oh, the wonder of it all
Here in the West, I sometimes suffer from an occasional “mental lightening” shock – even on a perfect sunny day. Most often, the source of my mental distress is from “new Fiji’s” seat of power, Suva. In
Boosting the Pacific Aid for Trade Strategy
February 2021 marks the first anniversary of the endorsement of the Pacific Aid for Trade Strategy (PAfTS 2020-2025). It was not the first strategy of its type for Pacific regionalism. Clearly, it is too early to make
COVID-19 lessons for the Pacific in 2021
Opinion: From COVID-19 containment to suppression in the Western Pacific Region: 2020 Lessons for 2021 Compared to other parts of the world, the Western Pacific Region has been comparatively fortunate. Although the
Pacific Step Up needs Pacific voices
Is development assistance for poor developing countries about altruism, or is it all about economic and strategic self-interest for the Pacific’s biggest donor, Australia? How can aid truly reduce poverty, increase
‘CLIMATE CHANGE CRISIS’ NEEDS ‘OUTSIDE THE BOX’ SOLUTION
For the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), the disappointment of COP25 was that the conference attendees did not take its rallying cry for greater commitment: ‘climate change crisis’ – to heart. Recall the
Back to the drawing board
For the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), COP25 in Spain was viewed with great optimism and hope. A number of issues and developments contributed to that frame of mind. However, the Conference proved a disappointment. In the
Comparing China’s and Taiwan’s aid to the Pacific
In September 2019, after 36 years, Solomon Islands severed its diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan) and established formal relations with the People’s Republic of China (China). A Solomon
Pacific Islands Forum identity may need refocusing
‘The Blue Pacific’ is touted by all and sundry as the collective ‘identity’ of Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) members. As such, ‘The Blue Pacific’ is the identity badge by which PIF’s particularity and