Don’t saddle Pacific Islands with disaster debt
Pacific Islands are facing a serious debt crisis that has been worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting shutdown of the tourism industry. Research based on International Monetary Fund country reports shows
Vanuatu declares a climate emergency
Vanuatu has become the first Pacific Small Island Developing State to declare it is facing a climate emergency. In a Twitter post, the leader of the opposition Ralph Regenvanu announced parliament passed a
Fiji AG says China proposed deal ‘simply a proposal’
Fiji’s Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has sought to play down concern over China’s proposed deal with 10 Pacific nations covering policing, security and communications. Former Kiribati president Anote Tong
Data, skills and a ‘shared vision’ needed to better manage risk
The Deputy Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat says to better manage risk, access to robust and contextualised data that can be used to make decisions is needed. Speaking at this week’s
Farmers need to be part of disaster risk talks
At risk of ‘unintended effects’ of climate policies: World Farmers Organisation Farmers could be hurt by the very actions that are meant to help them if they are not in the room when disaster risk reduction
Albanese victory welcomed by Fiji PM
Pacific Islands leaders will be hoping that the swearing in of Australia’s new Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese tomorrow morning will herald a new era in climate action from Australia. Fiji Prime Minister, Frank
French Polynesia hosts Blue Climate Summit this week
Global leaders including the Pacific Oceans Commissioner and Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Henry Puna, and the Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown are in French Polynesia this week for the Blue Climate
2022: The Year to Stop the Decline of Ocean Health
OP-ED by Ambassador Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean NEW YORK, 10 MAY 2022 (UNRCO)— With every breath we take, we are connected to the ocean. The ocean gives us oxygen, provides
Japan reaffirms Pacific regional support
Japan, Fiji and Palau share the same concerns over a security pact China recently signed with the Solomon Islands, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said Sunday as he wrapped up a trip to the two Pacific island
Opinion: The world doesn’t care about swings in marginal seats. Climate action must spearhead a new Australian foreign policy
Late last year, more than 100 former diplomats and officials called for a new Australian foreign policy — with climate action at the centre — to help cement Australia’s future in a world rapidly shifting
Comment: Overcoming shocks to create a more resilient, inclusive future for Fiji
Fiji recorded its strongest post-independence period of economic growth in the decade before COVID-19, underpinned by rising productivity and investment, political stability, and a booming tourism industry. While the
