Sea of Western flags in Oceania?
In his recently published article “Sea of many flags”, the Head of the ANU National Security College Rory Medcalf makes the case for why Pacific Island states should regard the deep regional involvement of a Western
Forum reunited, now to work
The next Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Baron Waqa says, “The Forum is still developing in its form, regionalism and all these plans to strengthen and unite members and I think what’s going on at
Tide turns for West Papua
The recent visit to Fiji by West Papuan freedom fighter, Benny Wenda, signals a shift which may just end in a new member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group. Since 2011, Fiji has been Indonesia’s closest ally in the
Whispers
China Centre curiousity Questions are being asked about the mandate and work of the newly-launched China-Pacific Island Countries Center for Disaster Risk Reduction and Cooperation. Hosted in Jiangmen City, Guangdong
Can Washington fund its Pacific pledges?
“We have not been sufficiently engaged at a critical time in the Pacific islands. Not only do the Pacific islands face existential threats like climate change and economic dislocation, but clearly they’re being
Countering China’s Pacific Ambitions
Like empires past, Xi Jinping’s China seeks three grand prizes in the Pacific: wealth, control and presence. Australia and other Pacific nations have recognised the nature and scope of this neocolonial ambition and
Briefs
American SamoaAmerican Samoa’s criminal justice planning agency has been awarded US$431,794 in federal funds for crisis intervention and drug control efforts. Earlier this month, Deputy Secretary of Samoan Affairs,
Movers and Shakers
The Oceania Customs Organisation has appointed Nancy Tati Oraka-Pomoso to be its Head of Secretariat, who becomes the first female Papua New Guinean to lead the organisation in its 24-year history. She replaces Richard
Pacific workers well cared for but worried about work
Seasonal workers from the Pacific are bunking in emergency shelters after Cyclone Gabrielle tore through New Zealand’s North Island as they wait to hear if there’s still work available for them. Alusio
Pacific workers housed at church soon to have accommodation
More than 400 workers from the Pacific evacuated to a Napier church should be able to return to more permanent accommodation in the next few days. Workers from Samoa, Fiji, Tuvalu and Solomon Islands had stayed at The
We hope to co-host 3rd India Pacific Cooperation Forum: Jaishankar
India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Thursday said India hopes to co-host the third summit of the Forum for India Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) in the coming months. “We hope to
