France not seeking to ‘fuel competition’ in region
France’s Ambassador for the Indo-Pacific says the Indo-Pacific Strategy should not fuel further strategic competition in the region. During a recent visit to Fiji, Ambassador Marc Abensour said while there is great
Rich world’s leaders fail to commit to Paris global financing summit
Two weeks ahead of a highly-anticipated climate finance summit, most developed country leaders have not confirmed their attendance, sparking concerns they are not taking it seriously. In sharp contrast, the leaders of
New Caledonia’s FLNKS wants ICJ advice on contested vote
A New Caledonian pro-independence leader says the advice of the International Court of Justice is being sought over the contested 2021 referendum on independence from France. Roch Wamytan, who is the president of New
The Dixmude visits Suva port
It has been 22 years since France did a circumnavigation training around the world, and yesterday a vessel undertaking this exercise docked at the Suva harbour with the aim of strengthening regional partnerships and
What’s next for New Caledonia?
25 years after the Noumea Accord Twenty-five years ago, the French government joined supporters and opponents of independence in New Caledonia to adopt the Noumea Accord – a political agreement that mapped out a
FLNKS joins bilateral talks in Paris
A delegation from the Kanak independence movement Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) travels to Paris this week, for discussions with the French government on New Caledonia’s political status.
Darmanin back in New Caledonia in March to work on a new statute
French interior minister Gerald Darmanin is due back in New Caledonia in early March to advance work on a new statute for the territory. The news agency AFP reports the minister will be in Noumea between 2 and 8 March.
Officials apply to have Marquesas Islands a World Heritage Site
French Polynesia has filed an application to make the Marquesas Islands a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Speaking in Paris, the culture minister Heremoana Maamaatuaiahutapu said the bid is the most complicated ever
France rules out New Caledonia referendums for five years
The French government says it won’t organise another referendum in New Caledonia during the president’s current five-year term. A year ago, then-overseas minister Sebastien Lecornu said he planned to have a
Deadline abandoned to re-start New Caledonia dialogue
In a major policy shift for New Caledonia, France’s new Overseas Minister has abandoned the 18-month deadline for a referendum to replace the Noumea Accord. During a five-day visit to New Caledonia between 11-15
France defers referendum on new statute for New Caledonia
Plans to hold a referendum in New Caledonia next year on a new statute for the territory are being abandoned. The French Junior Overseas Minister, Jean-Francois Carenco, told the television station Caledonia that there
Fabien Galthié in tears as Virimi Vakatawa reveals career-ending heart condition
Coach Fabien Galthié could not hold back tears as Racing 92 confirmed that star centre, Fiji-born Virimi Vakatawa had been forced to end his rugby career “for cardiological reasons”. At an emotional press
French Polynesia president says election win ‘catastrophic’
French Polynesia’s president Edouard Fritch has described the election of three candidates of the pro-independence Tavini Huiraatira party to the French National Assembly as catastrophic. They won all three seats
Stunning electoral victory for independence party in French Polynesia
In an unprecedented electoral victory, the independence party Tavini Huira’atira has won all three seats allocated to French Polynesia in the French National Assembly. Voters across French Polynesia turned out on
Macron wins re-election, but most New Caledonian voters stay home
President Emmanuel Macron has won re-election in the second round of the French Presidential poll, held on Sunday. Macron is the youngest President in French history and the first to win a second term of office in 20
Macron in the lead, as contest for French President impacts Pacific
In a contest with significant implications for the Pacific, French President, Emmanuel Macron topped the poll in the first round of voting on
France, the oceans and seabed mining
Pacific leaders have joined a major oceans summit hosted by the French government in the port city of Brest, addressing climate change, illegal fishing, ocean acidification and plastics pollution.
What comes next in New Caledonia?
By Nic Maclellan New Caledonia’s third referendum on self-determination under the Noumea Accord has returned an overwhelming majority against independence: 96.5% of people who went to the polls voted No to
Analysis: Many voters to boycott New Caledonia referendum
Many New Caledonians will go to church this Sunday, or visit family or go fishing, and some of them will also drop into the local town hall to vote in the New Caledonia referendum to decide on its political status. But
France expands Pacific reach
The French government is expanding its engagement with Pacific Island nations, following the fifth France-Oceania summit, a visit by President Emmanuel Macron to French Polynesia, and increased support by France and the
Neighbours: Australia and New Caledonia boost diplomatic and defence ties
Eighty years ago, fearful of Japan, Australia sent a diplomat and a warship to New Caledonia. Today, Australia is mobilising defence and diplomacy against another rising Asian power. On the morning of 19 September 1940,
French nuclear tests: ‘I bury people nearly every day, what was our sin?’
The day began with a video, showing a disparate collection of arresting images – the drowned Greenpeace photographer Fernando Pereira, camera in hand and a huge smile on his face. Mugshots of two captured French DGSE
New team in Paris faces urgent Pacific crises
Just three months before New Caledonia’s next referendum on self-determination, French President Emmanuel Macron has reshuffled his Cabinet in Paris, appointing a new Prime Minister and ministers responsible for