Cook Islands secures $4 million ‘one off’ grant form China for future grants

Cook Islands will receive a “one off grant” of approximately $4 million (US$2.29 million) from China, following the signing of the Joint Action Plan for the 2025-2030 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last week.

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Cook Islands opposition files no-confidence motion against PM Mark Brown, Cook Islands-China deal details to be revealed ‘in the coming days’ – Mark Brown

A vote of no confidence motion has been filed against the Prime Minister and his Cabinet following the recent fiasco involving the now-abandoned Cook Islands passport proposal and the comprehensive strategic partnership

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Opinion: A “National Interest Analysis” would strengthen PNG’s foreign policy

Robust domestic procedures are crucial, not least to improve public understanding of government actions. One practical innovation in ensuring the robustness of foreign relations is mandatory use of national interest

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Vanuatu businesses struggle to maintain wages after earthquake impact

A recent report by the Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Department of Labour (DoL) reveals that nearly half of the businesses affected by the 17 December earthquake can only afford to maintain

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Nauru and Kiribati sign agreement to boost air connectivity

The governments of Nauru and Kiribati have signed an agreement aimed at boosting their aviation sector.  A memorandum of understanding was signed by the presidents of both Micronesian nations on 01 February, according

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Kiribati rejects claims of diplomatic rift over NZ deputy PM’s cancelled visit

Government of Kiribati has pushed back against claims of a diplomatic fallout with New Zealand following the cancellation of deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters’ planned visit, insisting that the matter was still

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Coalition parties remain solid prior to Vanuatu Parliament’s first sitting

The alliance of five political parties that signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to form the next Vanuatu government remains solid, with more than 30 Members of Parliament (MPs)-elect on their side.  A source

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New Tonga PM unveils Cabinet

Tonga’s Prime Minister, Dr ‘Aisake Eke, has announced a new Cabinet which includes four unelected representatives.  According to the constitution, the Prime Minister can nominate no more than four unelected

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Five political parties sign agreement to form the next government

Leaders of five major political parties in Vanuatu — the Leaders Party, Graon mo Jastis Party (GJP), Vanua’aku Party (VP), Iauko Group, and the Reunification Movement for Change (RMC) have come together to sign an

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No changes to Tonga cabinet – PM

Tonga’s Prime Minister, Dr Aisake Eke, has announced that his new Cabinet will comprise the same ministers from the previous administration until his new ministers are officially appointed. Eke was officially

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Historic gains for women as Palau’s 12th National Government takes office

The 12th Palau National Government has been officially installed, marking a peaceful transition of power with a mix of returning and new leaders signaling potential shifts from the past four years. In the Senate,

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Alcide Ponga elected as President of New Caledonia

Alcide Ponga, president of the anti-independence party Rassemblement-Les Républicains, has been elected as the new President of New Caledonia. Ponga replaces outgoing President Louis Mapou of the Parti de Libération

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Samoa’s Tulsi Gabbard heads U.S. intelligence

United States President-elect Donald Trump has appointed former congresswoman and Samoan, Tulsi Gabbard to serve as director of National

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Justice Filimoni Jitoko appointed new Speaker of Fiji’s Parliament

Fiji’s Parliament has a new Speaker, Retired Judge Justice Filimoni Jitoko, following a 34-15 vote that secured him the

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Former Labor senator to be Australia’s first anti-slavery commissioner

Former Labor minister Chris Evans will be Australia’s first anti-slavery commissioner, with the attorney general, Mark Dreyfus, announcing the longtime senator will take up a five-year term in

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National Policy to advocate against LGBTQIA+ in Vanuatu: MoJCS

Vanuatu's Ministry of Justice and Community Services will appoint a new committee next week to draft a National Policy banning all LGBTQIA+ advocacy and

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Kiribati elects President Maamau for third term

New Zealand congratulated Kiribati's Taneti Maamau after the president was elected on Saturday to a third term in charge of the Pacific Island

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Opinion: Biases within the capital flows to the Pacific

Earlier this month, USAID announced additional support to the Pacific Island economies, focusing on inclusive and sustainable economic growth and climate change.

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Fiji PM Rabuka nominates Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu for President

Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has announced Speaker of Parliament Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu as his nominee for the next President of

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Solomon Islands PM defends $2.1 million trip

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has defended his recent SBD$2.1 million (US$249,000) back-to-back trip to the Gulf States of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab

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Opinion: Two ideas from Fiji for PNG’s upcoming budget

With the 2025 budget due to be delivered next month (November 2024), PNG should look to Fiji to see what else it could do to help the country’s

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PNG Petroleum Minister announces review of Oil and Gas Act

Papua New Guinea Petroleum Minister Jimmy Maladina, has announced a comprehensive review of the country’s ageing Oil and Gas

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Niue celebrates 50 years of self governing

The Government of Niue has announced its commemoration of 50 years as a self-governing state, celebrating half a century of

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Taneti Maamau expected to win third term as Kiribati president

Kiribati went to the polls in late August and in nine days, the final part of the electoral process will be completed with the president's

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