The crisis of governance in PNG’s power sector
The recent spate of power outages (70 in a week according to the Post Courier), and the sudden resignation of yet another PNG Power Chief Executive Officer after only nine months in the job have brought into stark
PUNA, Commonwealth speak on Samoa
As Samoa’s political impasse drags on, Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna says he’s confident “all parties will work together to convene parliament as soon as possible, in respect of the democratic
Opinion: What is to become of Pacific regionalism?
By Ambassador Kaliopate Tavola 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 Unfinished business of Pacer Plus
Despite the regional agreement PACER Plus coming into effect on 13 December 2020, serious weaknesses are still being pointed out, as in the influential ANU publication Development Policy Blog (DPB 25 and 26 Nov. 2020),
New Caledonia’s fight over nickel
The young people gathered early in Noumea, preparing for action. Soon the main road along the waterfront in New Caledonia’s capital was blocked with barricades, burning tires and large stones. Riot police moved in,
Remember Hiroshima…and the Pacific
In Japan, they’re called hibakusha – the survivors of the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945, and the bombing of Nagasaki three days later. Seventy-five years on, the survivors remember those days, and
Presidential leadership for post referendum Bougainville
Bougainville is going through a major political metamorphosis ending one political status and entering into another entity. The 15 years of Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Tenure has ended but continues
Pacific islands ramp up engagement with United Nations
By Nic Maclellan (Islands Business magazine) in Funafuti, Tuvalu Under “the New Pacific Diplomacy”, Pacific island governments are looking to international arenas to advance their regional agenda. Following
‘Failing but not yet failed’: we need to improve ocean health
“We are failing, but we have not yet failed. There is still time in the next ten years to turn things around. It’s our last chance. And our survival as a species depends on the health of the oceans.” This is
Australian scientist new SPC head
By Samisoni Pareti The new Director General (designate) of the Pacific Community is Australian scientist Dr Stuart Minchin. Dr Minchin’s appointment was approved at the Pacific Community’s Conference of Ministers
Australian scientist new SPC head
The new Director General (designate) of the Pacific Community is Australian scientist Dr Stuart Minchin. Dr Minchin’s appointment was approved at the Pacific Community’s Conference of Ministers meeting in Noumea,
