Historic deals on maritime boundaries at the Forum
Many Pacific island states are really large ocean states, with vast Exclusive Economic Zones. As local enterprises and overseas corporations seek to exploit the region’s vast ocean resources – from fisheries to deep
USP “students are hurting” says Pro Chancellor
As Pacific leaders meet in Suva to discuss deepening regionalism through the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, USP, the region’s university continues to suffer the impacts of continued funding
Forum leaders meet to consolidate Blue Pacific agenda
For the first time since 2019, presidents and prime ministers from around the region will gather face-to-face in Suva this week, to continue the 51st Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting. The centrepiece of the summit
Oceans emergency declared
Updates from the UN Oceans conference The United Nations Secretary General has declared an “ocean emergency” at the 2022 UN Oceans Conference co-hosted by Portugal and Kenya in Lisbon. Addressing delegates attending
Pacific tourism workers resilient in adversity
Pacific researchers assessing the wellbeing of tourism-reliant communities in Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands amid the COVID-19 pandemic have found these communities are mainly resilient in the face of
Opinion: This year’s Pacific elections marginalise and isolate too many
As 2022 Pacific elections unfold, it is evident that a global decline in democracy is disadvantaging the most vulnerable. By Mere Nailatikau Election season is in the air. With Australia’s ballots counted,
World Bank may include ICT in Vanua Levu tourism initiative
The success of boosting tourism demand in Vanua Levu will depend on its ability to manage essential tourism-related services, of which ICT is an important element, said the World Bank as work gets underway to develop
Fiji: tidal flooding to abate today
The heavy swells that affected several communities around Fiji early yesterday morning were triggered by a king tide coupled with moderate to heavy swells, according to the Fiji Meteorological Service. The phenomena
Sovereignty talks at Defence Summit in Singapore
Country leaders present at a defence summit in Singapore on Monday have made their stance clear on sovereignty. Inia Seruiratu, Fiji’s Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing highlighted that Fiji values
ANZ lead Fiji women’s rugby encourages positivity.
Recently, women’s rugby in Fiji has been somewhat of a revelation. The Pacific Island country astonished the world by winning an Olympic bronze medal in Tokyo last year and then had an unbelievable undefeated run in
Is Lau the Next Galapagos?
A huge conservation effort that could be the South Pacific's answer to the wildlife park-island of Galapagos is gaining momentum in Fiji. Under the Lau Seascape initiative, nearly 336,000 square kilometres of land and
Fiji’s tourism comeback
But concerns remain over Pacific-wide labour shortages Travellers now want authentic and immersive vacation experiences, an analyst from international consulting firm Twenty31, told the recent Fiji Tourism Expo. Oliver
From Farm to Table to Memory
Hidden inside the golf course on Denarau is a burgeoning farm. Fiji National University graduate Shahil Ram has been managing the plot for the Marriott group for a year, and despite suffering a slight setback because of
Unplugging at Namosi Eco Retreat
Sustainability was the buzzword at the Fiji Tourism Exchange, and some of the industry’s quiet pioneers were glad to hear it. “The only way to survive the pandemic was through sustainability. The only way
An Umbilical Cord Between New Caledonia and Fiji
When the Gondwana 2 submarine cable linking New Caledonia and Fiji was landed in Suva last month, FINTEL CEO George Samisoni described it as an “umbilical cord” linking the Pacific. Samisoni said it took seven years
Vee’s Organic Farms: Down to earth, still atop the world
The story could have ended with a flight attendant being told she would never walk or talk again, simply being grounded, but Vitila Vuniwaqa hopes to inspire others with chapters in which she
Making a point: Rosy Akbar on sexism in parliament
On the eve of the first Pacific Women Leaders meeting, Fiji’s Minister for Women, Children, and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar has revealed how she deals with sexism in parliament. “I have always spoken out to
‘The family stays together’
Micronesian members will stay in Pacific Islands Forum “I think that big dark, dark cloud that has been hanging over the Pacific has evaporated from this meeting.” That was Federated States of Micronesia President,
Pacific Islands Forum unity talks underway in Fiji
Fiji today hosts the second day of talks aimed at keeping the Pacific Islands Forum membership intact, with the leaders of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia and Cook Islands in the country for meetings with their
Cook Islands, Samoa open first ever diplomatic missions in Fiji this week
The Cook Islands and Samoa open their first diplomatic missions in Suva this week. The Cook Islands High Commission will open today, and the Samoa High Commission tomorrow. Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe
Fijian pastor deported from Vanuatu
A Fijian Pastor has been deported Tuesday through a joint operation by the Vanuatu Immigration Services and Vanuatu Police Force (VPF), through the Vanuatu Interpol Unit, for violating COVID-19 protocols. Pastor Jone
Fiji is first Pacific country to join Indo-Pacific framework
Fiji is the first Pacific island nation and 14th country in the world to join the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF). In a statement released Friday, U.S National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan
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