Pacific ministers gather to discuss water and wastewater challenges

Twenty Pacific islands ministers have gathered in Rarotonga this week to discuss solutions and ideas to combat water and wastewater threats.  Held at the National Auditorium, the 8th Pacific Water and Wastewater

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Govt. waiting on crash report

The Government through the Minister of Finance has expressed its condolences to the families of seasonal workers who died in a tragic car accident in New Zealand earlier this week.  Minister of Finance, Lautimuia

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Kurt Campbell pledges support for Forum, as US mobilises across the north Pacific

“Across the board, if you look at the nature of our step up in every arena, it is unmistakable, it is fulsome, it is deliberate and it will continue.” `-Kurt Campbell As Pacific leaders gather in the Kingdom of

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Opinion: Travel recovery in the Pacific: worrying signs

As the pandemic recedes and gradually fades from people’s memories, travel in the Pacific is rebounding. However, the Pacific’s travel recovery is highly variable. Comparing visitor arrivals in 2023 with those in

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Forum opens with songs of resilience, followed by earthquake

As delegates gathered in Nuku’alofa for the annual Pacific Islands Forum, the new Indoor Stadium at Tonga High School resonated with song from hundreds of school students, at Monday’s official opening. Soon after

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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

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Forum delays mission to New Caledonia, after diplomatic wrangling 

The Pacific Islands Forum has postponed a planned monitoring mission to New Caledonia.  The delegation, involving three prime ministers, had intended to visit the French Pacific dependency before next week’s

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UN Secretary-General Guterres to start Pacific swing

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is making his first visit to the Pacific in five years, taking in Samoa, New Zealand, Tonga and East Timor. The centrepiece of Guterres’ mission will be the

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The power of a ‘toothless tiger’

Pacific Island experts have welcomed a new international treaty that aims to prevent biopiracy as a major step forward in global efforts to protect indigenous intellectual property, genetic resources and traditional

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Mounting discord at USP

Academics warn of 'toxic' atmosphere damaging the region's largest university Growing discord within the ranks of the University of the South Pacific ( USP ) escalated further this month with the summary dismissal of a

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Australia’s Pacific Engagement Visa: What’s Next?

On August 2, ballots for the Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) closed for eight participating countries, with the exception of the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau who each received a two-week extension. Whether

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Restoring visions of paradise

“The meaning of my Japanese name is ‘naked autumn trees clothed by the falls of gentle snowflakes’,” says Samoan artist, Yuki Kihara. “It [speaks of] seasonal changes between autumn and winter, and I kind of

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