Diplomat says ‘fully-fledged’ embassy in Samoa will offer Paris greater clout
A French diplomat says having an embassy in Samoa will enable France to play a more central role on issues that arise in the Pacific, such as security and climate change. French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans
Macron plans a new political statute for New Caledonia
In a major speech in Noumea, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed he would forge ahead to seek changes to the French Constitution in early 2024, to reform voting rights and create a new statute for New Caledonia
Emmanuel Macron denounces ‘new imperialism’ in Pacific on historic visit to Vanuatu
French president Emmanuel Macron has denounced “new imperialism” in the Pacific during a landmark visit to the region, warning of a threat to the sovereignty of smaller states. “There is in the Indo-Pacific and
Vanuatu MP says Macron should act on Matthew and Hunter
As Emmanuel Macron prepares to visit Port Vila on Thursday, a leading member of Vanuatu’s Parliament has called on the French President to address the long-running dispute over Matthew and Hunter Islands and the
Macron begins Melanesia tour in New Caledonia
French President Emmanuel Macron has begun his five-day visit to New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, outlining his “economic, environmental and geopolitical program.” Arriving at Tontouta airport in New
French President to visit Melanesian nations
In an unprecedented tour, French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea next week, after holding discussions in New Caledonia on the political future of the French Pacific dependency. The
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.
