Kava: Protecting our lifeblood
Kava is of immense cultural significance to peoples across the region: yaqona in Fiji, malogu in Vanuatu, 'ava in Samoa, 'awa in Hawai’i and sakau in the Federated States of
FSM
World Bank approves $68 million cross-border bank lifeline for remote Pacific Islands
The World Bank’s board has approved a US$68 million programme to prevent Pacific Island nations from being cut off from the international financial system that underpins tourism, trade and aid flows, the
Federated States of Micronesia eyes wider access to global market for tuna
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is seeking to expand its tuna industry by securing broader access to the international market and reforming its foreign investment policies. At the Second National Fisheries
Yap to begin canvassing votes for 31 May political status referendum
The Yap Election Commission in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) on Friday will begin tabulating the ballots cast during the 31 May referendum related to the island state’s political status. Yap voters were
Micronesia: Prolonged drought now impacting food and water across region
Extreme droughts in the Western Pacific region are expected to persist over the next three months. Parts of the Marshall Islands, Guam, Palau, Mariana Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) are now
Strengthen health systems, says WHO Regional Director Dr Piukala
Regional Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Western Pacific, Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, has told the Pacific Heads of Health Meeting currently underway in Samoa that climate change and health security are
‘Help’ written in palm fronds assists U.S. forces in rescuing Micronesians stranded on tiny island
The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard found and rescued three men Tuesday from a tiny atoll south of Guam, where they spent more than a week after they were left stranded. The men, all in their 40s, set sail from Polowat Atoll,
U.S., FSM begin exploring military training opportunities in Yap
Washington and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) have reaffirmed their defence and security ties, toasting a fresh economic package under the newly signed Compact of Free Association that cemented the United
FSM launches first Citizens Budget
A first-of-its-kind Citizens Budget has been launched in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). FSM’s Department of Finance and Administration (DOFA) in a statement today said the National Government Fiscal
U.S. Senate fails to add Compact Funds to aid package
A last-minute bipartisan effort to add key funding aimed at countering China in the Pacific has failed in the U.S. Senate even as a US$95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan moved forward. A renewal of
Micronesian leaders warn ‘competitive political actors’ exploiting delays in U.S. funding
Palau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, which occupy a militarily strategic expanse of the western Pacific, have warned that delays to U.S. financial assistance have created opportunities for “competitive
Opinion: Health service coverage: Asia and the Pacific swap places
According to the World Health Organization, Universal Health Coverage (UHC) requires that all people receive the promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative health services they need and can afford.
Nations can look elsewhere: Micronesia ex-leader urges U.S. to keep funds pledge
Months after exiting office, the former president of the Federated States of Micronesia has urged American lawmakers to keep their promise of approving funds for the Compact of Free Association (Cofa) pact, warning that
Fiji among 14 that oppose truce
Fiji was amongst 14 countries that opposed a resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian truce in Gaza while 120 countries voted in favour. The Assembly adopted resolution titled “Protection of civilians and
Google to run internet cables to Pacific islands in Australia-U.S. deal
Alphabet’s Google will run undersea cables powering internet access to at least eight far-flung Pacific Ocean nations under a joint U.S.-Australian deal set to be announced on Wednesday, according to a U.S.
Remains of Japanese WWII dead to be recovered from sunken ships in Micronesia
The Japan’s Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry on Sunday surveyed a Japanese tanker sunk during the Pacific War for human remains to be recovered, off Chuuk Lagoon, formerly Truk Lagoon. The lagoon is now part of the
U.S. groping for contingency plan amid expiration of COFA’s economic provisions
The U.S. economic provisions for the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Marshall Islands under the Compacts of Free Association expired on 30 September without being renewed as the U.S. Congress continued to
Opinion: Government shutdown threatens key U.S. effort to counter China in Pacific
A looming government shutdown threatens to upend a major multibillion-dollar diplomatic initiative between the United States and three Pacific Island nations that the Biden administration views as a cornerstone of its
FSM becomes first country to sign oceans treaty
The Federated States of Micronesia has signed a global treaty that aim to protect oceans that lie beyond national boundaries, becoming the first country in the world to do so. The new Biodiversity of Areas beyond
Opinion: U.S. claims to Central Pacific flout International law
In defiance of international norms and rules, U.S. officials are laying claim to the large oceanic area in the central Pacific Ocean that is home to the compact states. Now that they are renewing the economic provisions
Human rights violations in Pacific fishing industry ‘ignored’
Very little attention has been given to addressing human rights violations within the fishing industry in the Pacific, according to new research unveiled at a first-of-its-kind ocean science meeting underway in Nadi,
Q&A: U.S. considering security guarantees for three Pacific Island nations
U.S. Congress is reviewing a proposal from President Joe Biden to create new security guarantees for three Pacific Island states: the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau. If Congress passes the Compacts of Free
Inflation, interest rates cloud post-pandemic Pacific growth: World Bank
The resumption of tourism, higher public investment and construction have fuelled the Pacific region’s economic recovery from COVID-19 but a combination of persistently high imported inflation and interest rate hikes