AI and the Pacific
Beyond the hype Meet Joe, Vodafone Fiji's champion customer service officer. Joe is a chatbot, powered by Artificial Intelligence, a 24/7 assistant that was first launched by the company in 2019. Joe has been hard
Whispers
Trouble in the air (1) A Pacific airline is flying through a rough patch with its CEO receiving orders to leave by the end of the month. Earlier this year he dismissed two Fijian executives who promptly sued the
Briefs
American SamoaThe neighbour of an American Samoa House Representative was arrested over allegations of threats to burn down the Representative's house and shoot his family. It was alleged after further investigations
Movers and Shakers
Ewen McDonald is Australia's inaugural Special Envoy for the Pacific and Regional Affairs and the next High Commissioner to Fiji. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the role reflects the Albanese Government's commitment
Rainbow Warrior arrives in Fiji: Visit to focus on climate justice
The Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior has arrived in Suva, the last stop of its Pacific tour carrying climate activists, Pacific campaigners and First Nation leaders. The ship was greeted at the port with a traditional
Pacific “mixed feelings” after compromise on shipping’s climate goals
Governments have agreed to an improved set of climate goals for the shipping sector after climate vulnerable Pacific nations and trade-reliant emerging economies struck a compromise at talks in London. After two weeks
Pacific climate diplomacy moves beyond COPs
As negotiations stutter and stall with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Pacific Island governments and communities are ramping up diplomatic efforts to call for urgent action on fossil fuels.
Opinion: FIPIC reaffirms silver lining
The Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) held its third summit in May in Port Moresby, after a postponement. Papua New Guinea’s Post Courier highlighted the meeting by reporting that the
Briefs
American SamoaThe American Samoa government ordered the closure of all day care centres in the territory on June 14, until further notice to curb the spread of a respiratory virus. The closure was approved by Lt. Gov.
Gulf oil states on a Pacific charm offensive
Gulf oil states are using their vast wealth to build influence across the far-flung South Pacific, experts have told AFP, tearing a page straight out of China’s Belt and Road playbook. Saudi Arabia and the United
Opinion: The Pacific – Securing the Future
Submarine cables are a vital element of infrastructure for Pacific Island countries. Over the last five years, a focus on the Pacific region submarine cable development has demonstrated enormous growth in the number of
