An update on the “good governance coup”: political will and corruption in Fiji
In 2006 Fiji’s current prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, seized power from a government that had been elected only seven months earlier. Named the “good governance coup”, the takeover was justified by concerns
Briefs
American SamoaThe population of American Samoa has decreased below 50,000. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s October update, the population count came to 49,710, far less than 56,084 recorded in 2010. The
Less prayer, more presence
It’s not every day that a young Pacific islander tells regional church leaders to stop praying about climate change and take firm, practical measures which people can see. Fresh off the flight from COP27 in Egypt,
A tick for loss and damage
The disconnect between countries was palpable at the recent COP27 climate conference, as small island nations fought with developing countries to get their issues onto the agenda and into negotiations. Addressing the
Vanuatu water efforts get GFC boost
Water security in Vanuatu is to be improved under a US$23 million project under the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The project to climate-proof water sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, and improve water management
Opinion: Declaration on U.S.-Pacific Partnership abrogates established order
The United States signed the Declaration on U.S.-Pacific Partnership with fourteen Pacific Island Countries (PICs) in Washington on 29 September 2022. Of the sixteen PICs, members of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF),
COP27 closes with deal on loss and damage
After days of intense negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh, countries at the latest UN Climate Change Conference, COP27, reached agreement on an outcome that established a funding mechanism to compensate vulnerable nations
Keeping the Paris promise alive: Henry Puna
The Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna says the pressure is on major emitters and all other G20 nations to ensure COP27 keeps the Paris promise alive. “More than any other COP since the 1.5 net zero
Pacific nations want compensation commitment at COP27, Samoa MP says
Samoa’s environment minister says Pacific island nations want the international climate talks in Egypt this month to establish a basis for compensating developing countries for losses caused by climate change. Pacific
Japan’s recycling town: Can it inspire the Pacific?
When the residents of Osaki in southern Japan were first told about new plans for waste management and recycling in their small town, some were unhappy. “They threw cans at us,” said the Assistant Section Chief and
Avoiding a WASHout
There has been a significant decline in donor funding for water, sanitation and hygiene projects in the Pacific, as the region continues to lag behind the Sustainable Development Goals on access to water. A recent study
