France, the oceans and seabed mining

Pacific leaders have joined a major oceans summit hosted by the French government in the port city of Brest, addressing climate change, illegal fishing, ocean acidification and plastics pollution.

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US labels Pacific Islands a climate ‘region of concern’

By Nic Maclellan A major assessment by US intelligence agencies lists the Pacific islands as one of two “regions of great concern” in the world, because of the adverse effects of climate change. The assessment of

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What comes next in New Caledonia?

By Nic Maclellan New Caledonia’s third referendum on self-determination under the Noumea Accord has returned an overwhelming majority against independence: 96.5% of people who went to the polls voted No to

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“At 33 years old, I felt like I was 90”

COVID-19 challenges in Noumea and Papeete By Nic Maclellan Hina Montas was making a cup of tea and forgot to turn the gas off. It was only when her partner came home and smelt the gas filling the kitchen, that she

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Setbacks at COP26 climate talks

By Nic Maclellan On one hand, the index finger is raised. On the other, five digits are displayed. One point five. 1.5 to stay alive. In the midst of the global pandemic, Pacific delegations mobilised to campaign for

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“AKIN TO A DECLARATION OF WAR”

France boosts police and military before New Caledonia vote By Nic Maclellan As New Caledonia moves towards a referendum on self-determination on 12 December, France is deploying new police and military forces to the

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Refugee processing in PNG to end

By Nic Maclellan Australia and Papua New Guinea have announced the closure of Canberra’s offshore refugee processing program by the end of this year, leaving responsibility for the remaining asylum seekers and

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“We stand by what we said”

Micronesian leaders discuss transport, COVID and the Forum split By Nic Maclellan Leaders of five Micronesian countries have moved to strengthen their sub-regional co-ordination at the 20th Micronesian Presidents’

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Boosting networks against transnational crime

By Nic Maclellan Last month Tongan police confirmed that more than 14 kilograms of cocaine had washed up on beaches in Vava’u. Police say the drugs have an estimated sale value of over $5 million pa’anga and more

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France expands Pacific reach

The French government is expanding its engagement with Pacific Island nations, following the fifth France-Oceania summit, a visit by President Emmanuel Macron to French Polynesia, and increased support by France and the

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France expands Pacific reach

The French government is expanding its engagement with Pacific Island nations, following the fifth France-Oceania summit, a visit by President Emmanuel Macron to French Polynesia, and increased support by France and the

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Marshall Islands adapting to a changing world

Marshall Islands' Hilda Heine and Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner on climate change and

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