Outgoing Forum Chair Mark Brown reflects on challenging times
“We’ve been mindful that our region is of great interest from a geopolitical perspective over the last few years or so,” says Prime Minister of Cook Islands Mark Brown. “But the security issues that are seen by
Fiji replaces Vanuatu as top PALM sending country
The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme has been transformed over the last five years. In June 2019, there were 5,886 PALM visa holders in Australia. Five years later, in May 2024, there were 32,513, an
Japan’s nuclear wastewater discharge not a breach of Rarotonga Treaty, says Cook Islands PM
Cook Islands Prime Minister and Forum Chairman Mark says that Japan’s discharge of treated nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean does not violate the Rarotonga Treaty. During his visit to Tokyo last week, PM Brown
Disappointed with solar option, Whipps eyes nuclear energy for Palau
While setting a goal to have 100 percent renewable capacity by 2032, Palau must embrace nuclear energy to supplement the country’s existing power sources, President Surangel Whipps Jr. said. “If there are
“When are we going back?” – Nuclear Displacement in the Marshall Islands
Gina Langinbelik Anuntak is a student at the College of the Marshall Islands (CMI). She is President of the CMI Nuclear Club, a student association that unites Marshallese students to understand the legacies of the 20th
UN nuclear chief tells Japan transparency is ‘very important’ in ruined nuclear plant’s discharges
The head of the UN atomic agency on Tuesday emphasised to Japan’s government the importance of transparency in its ongoing discharges of treated radioactive wastewater at the ruined Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power
Whispers
Is Tuvalu next? Is Australia heading for another major embarrassment with Tuvalu in its geopolitical strategy in the South Pacific? There were strong indications in the hours before this edition of Islands Business went
Japan Foreign Minister assures Pacific nations of ALPS treated water discharge compliance
Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa has reassured her Pacific counterparts the discharge of Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean last year
Cook Islands Foreign Minister urges global recognition of regional priorities
Cook Islands Foreign Affairs Minister, Tingika Elikana, Monday highlighted the need to drive discussions on regional priorities and forge inter-regional cooperation essential for global acknowledgment of these
Japan’s top diplomat eyes Fiji trip for Pacific island talks next month
Japan’s Foreign Minister, Yoko Kamikawa is arranging a visit to Fiji in the first half of February to attend a ministerial meeting with Pacific island countries and territories, diplomatic sources have said, in an
Whispers
Which way after Tuvalu?So, what’s next for Australia’s strategy in the region, after the Falepili agreement with Tuvalu? There are noises there could be another such agreement in the works with Fiji, while the
Palau senate expresses disapproval of Japan’s plan to release treated radioactive water
The Senate of the Republic of Palau has passed a joint resolution expressing disapproval of Japan’s decision to release over a million tons of contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the
