American Samoa
American Samoa’s Department of Health has announced an increase in respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and the flu. The Department of Health is urging people to take hygiene precautions. It said vaccinations are available at the Tafuna Health Center.
Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) has introduced strict regulations on the sale and distribution of lime (afok or bweesch) used in betel nut chewing. It is now illegal to sell lime containing harmful substances or to market it with misleading labels. The law aims to protect public health as studies continue to explore potential links between lime and oral cancer. Violators will face penalties of up to US$500 and 90 days in jail for a first offence, with harsher penalties for repeat violations.
Cook Islands
The Cook Islands will not pursue membership of the United Nations or the Commonwealth due to its inability to meet the criteria for UN membership, and its existing relationship with
New Zealand, which fulfils Commonwealth membership, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Federated States of Micronesia
The 23rd Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is considering an Electronic Transaction Bill and a Cybersecurity Bill, aimed at enhancing digital security and preparedness against cyber threats. Government has also introduced a bill to address marine resource management and a supplementary budget bill to meet urgent funding needs. President Wesley Simina also outlined the Strategic Development Plan and Infrastructure Development Plan that will guide FSM’s long-term development and urged Congress to act ahead of the March 2025 deadline to secure Compact funding.
Fiji
Fiji’s government has declared an HIV outbreak. This follows the news that the Ministry of Health and Medical Services recorded 1093 new HIV cases from January to September 2024. As of mid-December, 19 under-fives were diagnosed with HIV in Fiji. The UN Development Programme has delivered 3000 antiretroviral drugs to Fiji to support the HIV response.
French Polynesia
Around 200 observers across 36 countries, including representatives in Tahiti, have participated in a global study of synchronised coral spawning. Marine biologist Vetea Liao and the Tama no te Tairoto association organised the event in Punaauia’s lagoon, where officials witnessed coral spawning. Porites rus coral, a reef-building species around Tahiti, exhibited its remarkable reproductive phenomenon described as “smoke coming out of the coral”. Professional divers also observed spawning at an 80-metre depth later that day.
Guam
Micronesian Air Connection Services, a new CNMI inter-island carrier that also plans to provide service to Guam, was recently issued a qualifying certificate and tax breaks, and now plans to commence the scheduled service within the next 30 to 60 days. It plans to invest some US$8.2 million and will bid for a lease for the necessary hangar space in Guam.
Kiribati
A team from Whanau Awhina Plunket and Vaka Atafaga Pacific nursing services from New Zealand has met officials from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to discuss a pilot Child Community Nursing Outreach Programme to roll out from March 2025. The Programme’s goal is to improve child well-being by providing child health support at the community level.
Marshall Islands
Majuro has recorded its worst year for tuna transshipment in over a decade, with only 160 transshipments in 2024, according to the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA). The number is even lower than the pandemic affected year of 2020, which saw 175 transshipments. Historically, Majuro averaged 373 transshipments annually from 2014 to 2023, with a peak of 504 in 2015. The downturn in 2024 is attributed to tuna fishing shifting to the southwest Pacific, prompting purse seiners to operate closer to their fishing grounds. MIMRA continues to emphasise dockside unloading of tuna to boost local employment and support the shipping of frozen tuna to canneries.
Nauru
Australia has secured an effective veto over Nauru’s security agreements with other nations under a new pact aimed at bolstering the Pacific Island’s budget and security. The agreement requires mutual consent for any engagement in Nauru’s security, banking, and telecommunications sectors, effectively preventing potential policing agreements with
China as Australia counters Beijing’s influence in the region. In return for this strategic oversight, Australia will provide AU$100 million for Nauru’s budget and an additional AU$40 million for policing and security over five years. This support comes as Commonwealth Bank prepares to offer banking services in Nauru after Bendigo Bank’s departure.
New Caledonia
New Caledonia’s health system has lost 40% of its bed capacity, significantly affecting emergency care, medical authorities have warned. Dr Thierry de Greslan, Chairman of the Gaston Bourret Hospital’s medical committee, described the situation as “unprecedented”, revealing that 300 of the territory’s 800 hospital beds have been closed. The closures are attributed to a mass exodus of medical practitioners following riots in mid-May 2024.
Niue
The Niue Ocean Wide (NOW) Trust has allocated NZ$280,000 to support local conservation projects across the island’s 14 villages. The funding, part of a larger NZ$1 million pool for the current financial year, will be distributed to assist each village’s marine resource management plans. The newly allocated funds will focus primarily on marine-based initiatives, with some support for select land-based projects. This funding is a significant step in the ongoing efforts to uphold the Nukuturua Spatial Management Plan, which aims to protect 100% of Niue’s ocean space.
Palau
Decades after WWII, unexploded munitions continue to threaten Palau, particularly on the island of Peleliu, site of a fierce 1944 battle between US and Japanese forces. Benar News reports that the remnants of war have contaminated land, hindered farming, and posed ongoing safety risks. Since 2016, Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) has discovered over 10,000 explosive remnants, and clearance efforts, funded by the US, Australia, and Japan, are making steady progress. Despite increased funding and visible improvements, over 100 hazardous areas on Peleliu remain suspected.
Papua New Guinea
An Australian pilot serving an 18-year jail term for his connection to drug trafficking has lost his appeal to the Papua New Guinea Supreme Court. David John Cutmore was the pilot of an aircraft attempting to fly from Central Province to Australia, carrying 611 kilograms of cocaine. The plane crash landed on take-off from a makeshift airfield outside Port Moresby in July 2020. Cutmore was jailed for 18 years in October 2022 after pleading guilty to a charge relating to money laundering.
Samoa
Samoa’s first female Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, has retained her leadership following weeks of political unrest and internal strife within the ruling FAST Party. Speaker of the House, Papali’i Li’o Taeu Masipau, has rejected attempts by FAST to oust Fiame and five MPs, citing the Constitution’s provisions on parliamentary seats. Fiame, in turn, has dismissed 13 Associate Ministers and reshuffled her Cabinet, replacing key roles left vacant by internal discord. Opposition leader Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi unexpectedly endorsed Fiame, describing his support as unwavering.
Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands saw a significant rise in international arrivals during the third quarter of 2024, with a total of 13,966 visitors, marking an 11.5% increase from the previous quarter. Compared to the same period last year, the number of arrivals surged by 28.2%. Returning residents made up 50.1% of the total, while visitors accounted for 49.4%. Visitors
from Australia remained the largest group, comprising 32.4% of arrivals.
Tonga
A new lava lobe (continuous outpouring of lava) on Tonga’s Home Reef Volcano has been discovered, covering 42% of the island and significantly increasing its size to 158,000 square metres—nearly 2000 times its original 85 square metres when thermal anomalies was first detected on December 4. However, Tonga’s Geological Services said there are no indicators for any major explosive eruptions.
Tuvalu
The Taiwan embassy in Tuvalu has blasted China for allegedly launching a disinformation campaign to damage Taiwan-Tuvalu ties. China Global Television Network recently released two videos of Tuvaluans. In one video, a teacher claimed that UN Resolution 2758 designates Taiwan as part of China, and that Taiwan-Tuvalu diplomatic relations are primarily symbolic, offering no substantial economic or social benefits. Another video featured a student praising China, saying that Chinese products are high-quality and affordable. The Taiwan embassy has expressed opposition to China’s manipulation of “disinformation”, emphasising its commitment to promoting democratic values, and said this will not deter its ties with Tuvalu. Tuvalu remains one of the few countries that still officially recognises Taiwan.
