Avoiding a WASHout
There has been a significant decline in donor funding for water, sanitation and hygiene projects in the Pacific, as the region continues to lag behind the Sustainable Development Goals on access to water. A recent study
Kiribati
Kiribati: Moaniba becomes acting Chief Justice
The separation of powers crisis in Kiribati escalated on Friday, with the Pacific country’s attorney general, Tetiro Semilota Moaniba, appointed acting chief justice. Semilota was sworn in on Friday afternoon at a
Three more NZ judges to face tribunal in Kiribati
Kiribati will put another three New Zealand judges before a tribunal for misconduct, as New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta warns of “constitutional issues” in the Pacific nation. The Kiribati government has
Kiribati welcomes resumed airline service
The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has welcomed the announcement by Nauru Airlines to resume its Island Hopper Service from October 16. This service last operated in March 2020, prior to the COVID-19 international
Nauru Airlines to resume north Pacific service
Nauru Airlines is expected this month to resume air service linking Brisbane with islands in the central and north Pacific halted two-and-a-half-years ago due to COVID border closures. Nauru Airlines was the successful
Washington and Australia should focus on climate change, says Pacific leaders
Washington should accept Pacific Island priorities for the region, making climate change – not superpower competition – the most urgent security task, the region’s leaders said in Hawaii, ahead of a
Motion of no confidence over Kiribati’s treatment of judges
The Kiribati opposition is planning to bring a motion of no confidence in the Government of President Taneti Maamau. This follows the attempt to remove and deport Justice David Lambourne, the suspension of the Chief
Kiribati could establish aged care hub to meet Australian demand
The Kiribati Government is planning to establish a hub for aged care students at the School of Nursing and Health in Bikenibeu. This was confirmed by the Minister for Employment and Human Resource, Taabeta Amuera Teakai
Kiribati’s suspended judges ‘a critical threat’: IBHARI
An international human rights body has condemned the suspension of three senior Court of Appeal judges by the Kiribati government, calling it a “critical threat” to the rule of law. In a statement on Wednesday, the
Kiribati govt suspends all Court of Appeal judges
Kiribati’s government has dramatically escalated its campaign against the judiciary reports the ABC, suspending the country’s three remaining senior judges after they blocked the deportation of High Court
Kiribati drought at critical stage says UNICEF
Fears of malnutrition and other illnesses are mounting in Kiribati as the country grapples with an ongoing drought. The Kiribati government in June declared a state of disaster after the discovery of high salinity
Pacific Islands Forum re-engages with Kiribati
Fijian Prime Minister and Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum Voreqe Bainimarama says Forum Leaders are committed to exploring options for closer diplomatic engagement between Kiribati and the Pacific Islands Forum.
Kiribati govt labels NZ judges ‘very biased’ over Lambourne case
Three New Zealand judges have been branded “very biased” by the Kiribati government, after a dramatic attempt to deport a fellow judge failed. In July, Kiribati suspended Judge Bill Hastings, a New Zealand judge
New financial solution to strengthen accountability and service delivery in Kiribati
A new Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) for Kiribati is expected to usher in a new era of efficiency in public service delivery and accountability for the island nation. Specifically
Kiribati on Lambourne deportation attempt
The Government of Kiribati has confirmed that a joint operation between Immigration and Police on Thursday morning was carried out to execute a deportation order against David Lambourne. A statement released by the
Attempts to deport Kiribati High Court justice lead to airport stand-off
Attempts to deport a Kiribati High Court judge back to Australia have led to a lengthy airport stand-off, with Justice David Lambourne having since been placed in immigration detention.
Ocean Link upgrades 4G networks in Kiribati
A mobile phone company, Ocean Link Limited (OLL) has started a major mobile network 4G upgrade and coverage improvement on South Tarawa. A statement from Ocean-Link said the mobile network 4G upgrade started early this
Kiribati: First commercial flight since border lockdown
Kiribati was in celebration mode last Thursday as the island gathered at Bonriki International Airport to welcome the country’s first commercial flight, two and a half years since the island nation’s COVID-19
Air Vanuatu to resolve schedule within two months
With its plans to recruit more ni-Vanuatu pilots, the national flag carrier’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Atu Finau, says the current situation of amended schedules on reduced flights is expected to be resolved
U.S. Senate Bill to establish embassies in the Pacific
A bipartisan group of senators will introduce legislation to establish three new embassies in the Pacific Islands region to strengthen America’s relationships there and counter China’s growing influence. The
Samoa at PIF2022: on gender and geopolitics
Samoa’s Fiame Naomi Mata’afa is attending her first Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting as Prime Minister in Suva this week. As leaders gather for their retreat today, Islands Business contributor, Sera
“We absolutely must preserve the unity of the Forum”
French Polynesia at the regional summit For Jean-Christophe Bouissou, Vice President of French Polynesia, the 51st Pacific Islands Forum is an opportunity to highlight the ongoing challenge of climate change for the
International travel to resume in Kiribati this August
All international travel to and from Kiribati will return to normal on August 1st this year, reports Radio Kiribati. Incoming passengers are required to have a valid COVID-19 test 24hrs before departure. The number of