World Bank opens new regional office in FSM

The World Bank has officially opened a permanent office in Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia, following several years of an expanding presence and portfolio across the North Pacific.  The new regional hub

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Banking: A regional overview

At the end of 2022, the Papua New Guinea government signalled its intent to set up a state-owned commercial bank, and take a government seat on the board of Bank South Pacific. The plan has been criticised given the

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Briefs

American SamoaAmerican Samoa’s Department of Health says it will only allow school aged children who are vaccinated to attend school. This as neighbouring Samoa monitors several children suspected to have measles. The

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Big picture vision conversations missing in the Pacific

Big picture conversations about the future of the Pacific islands should be happening, but they are not, said one of the region’s foremost commentators in an interview published this week in the Marshall Islands

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Movers and Shakers

Tonga's parliamentary Speaker, Lord Fakafanua, is the first Pacific Islander to be elected into the board of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Forum of Young Parliamentarians. Fakafanua said his election guarantees

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Micronesian Games delayed due to issues with facilities

The Micronesian Games Council said it’s delaying the 10th Micronesian Games in Majuro, Marshall Islands due to the unreadiness of the host islands’ sports facilities. It’s the second time the Games

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Pacific ministers call for fossil fuel free Pacific

An ambitious and historical call to action for a fossil fuel free Pacific was endorsed Friday in Port Vila – demanding a phase out of fossil fuel production from major economies that continue to produce coal, oil and

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South Pacific eyes China trade deal

China and a group of South Pacific island countries could start talks this year toward their first formal trade agreement, according to an official from a regional network of nations.  But while such talks could

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Emerging collective call for fossil fuel free Pacific

As Pacific Ministers wrap up their three-day dialogue in Port Vila today, there’s strong calls for a fossil fuel free Pacific – and a push to transition away from oil and gas and explore safe and sustainable

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Pacific nations explore opportunities to push for fossil fuel phase out

A yes vote at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) later this month to Vanuatu’s request for Advisory Opinion (AO) from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the obligations of States in respect of climate

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Pacific leaders to discuss global transition away from fossil fuels

The Governments of Vanuatu and Tuvalu will host the ‘2nd Pacific Ministerial Dialogue on Pathways for the Global Just Transition away from Fossil Fuels’ in Port Vila this week, from 15-17 March 2023. It will be

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Australia Foreign Minister Wong backing Waqa as PIF secretary general

Australia will stand behind Baron Waqa, the controversial pick as Pacific Islands Forum leader, despite his chequered record as Nauru president. The 63-year-old has been nominated by Micronesian nations to be the next

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