Legal Analysis of the ICJ Advisory Opinion on Climate Change Obligations
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has delivered an historic advisory opinion which, for the first time, authoritatively sets out States’ legal duties in relation to climate
Pacific Leaders deliver emphatic ‘call to action’ at UNOC3
Pacific Ocean Commissioner Koror, Palau-It’s been two weeks since the curtains fell on the third UN Ocean
Fiame Naomi Mata‘afa’s tumultuous tenure has ended — what’s next?
Samoa's Head of State, His Highness Tuimaleali’ifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, has officially dissolved Samoa’s Parliament, effective 3 June 2025, following the defeat of the government's 2025–26 budget. This action,
Navigating waters of change: Solomon Islands’ LDC graduation
The Solomon Islands is on the cusp of a significant transition as it graduates from least developed country (LDC) status in 2027. To ensure a seamless transition, the nation adopted a Smooth Transition Strategy in April
Pacific environmental expert condemns Coca-Cola’s switch to plastic in Samoa
The United Nations as published a letter to Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, expressing concerns over the multinational bottling company’s transition from reusable glass packaging to plastic bottles in Samoa, an island
The ‘Big’ Winners and the ‘Sorry’ Losers
The recent political upheaval that unfolded following the dramatic walkout of 10 Members of Parliament—including political heavyweights Manasseh Sogavare and Manasseh Maelanga—threw Solomon Islands into yet another
Moving beyond donor dependency: lessons from PNA
For decades, the Pacific Islands region has been reliant on donor funding to support development, governance, and capacity-building initiatives. While donor support has played a role in strengthening institutions, it
Major parties are promising big on the Pacific this election. What does the region think?
If you walk down a street in Honiara, Port Moresby or Nuku'alofa and ask about the federal election in Australia, you might well draw a polite — but blank —
How resource-rich is Papua New Guinea really?
Papua New Guinea is often described as a “resource-rich” country. The phrase appears on government websites, media reports and statements from international organisations. Prime Minister James Marape stated at the
Fresh details emerge on Australia’s new climate migration visa for Tuvalu residents. An expert explains
Australia has announced a new visa allowing Tuvaluan citizens to permanently migrate, as part of a 2023 treaty focused on shared security and climate
Decades after the U.S. buried nuclear waste abroad, climate change could unearth it
A new report says melting ice sheets and rising seas could disturb waste from U.S. nuclear projects in Greenland and the Marshall Islands. Ariana Tibon was in college at the University of Hawaiʻi in 2017 when she saw
Rongelap evacuation changed course of history
The late Member of Parliament Jeton Anjain and the people of the nuclear test-affected Rongelap Atoll changed the course of the history of the Marshall Islands by using Greenpeace’s Rainbow Warrior ship to
A Silver Linings Playbook for the aid sector in 2025
In the midst of the swift and brutal dismantling of USAID there has been a swell of voices in defence of aid. They have pointed to the good that aid does for the world’s most vulnerable; the importance of aid to U.S
ANALYSIS: Marshall Islands at high risk of cyber attack
Pacific Island countries are ripe for cyber-attacks. With few resources, even fewer skilled information security personnel, and low levels of internet awareness among populations, island nations are easy targets for
Welkam fren’: New Vanuatu PM sets homegrown tone for US relations
Jotham Napat wants the US to step up, rather than step away, despite Trump’s rejection of the ParisAgreement and aid freeze. Vanuatu’s newly elected Prime Minister Jotham Napat is known as a sharp and media-savvy
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
Aid on ice: How Trump’s freeze hurts the Pacific and Southeast Asia
The outlook is anything but reassuring. The US aid freeze won’t break the Pacific, but it will create unnecessary disruptions. For Southeast Asia, the consequences are mixed, likely to hit Myanmar and Cambodia
Opinion: What will US aid cuts mean for Papua New Guinea and the Pacific?
The Trump Administration’s freeze on foreign aid will be felt around the world, including in Papua NewGuinea. While the Trump Administration’s freeze on foreign aid will have an impact around the world, the decision
Opinion: Whose canoe? ‘Moana 2’ debate exposes AI threat to Pacific languages
As Moana sailed the Pacific late last year in her traditional canoe on the big screen, a heated debate raged online over the ownership of this potent symbol that unites Pacific islanders. The discussion of her canoe in
As Trump deportations intensify, Pacific Island nations worry they could be overwhelmed
In his first term, Donald Trump deported far fewer people from the United States than his three predecessors: Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Just weeks into his second term, however, Trump is making the
NZ Government cuts Pacific language funding by over 50%
A review of investments supporting Pacific education priorities has resulted in a major reduction in funding. Information obtained by PMN News through an Official Information Act (OIA) request reveals that funding for
Opinion: President Surangel Whipps Jr.’s inaugural address – A visionary agenda or a familiar refrain?
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr.’s 16 January inaugural address delivered a broad vision for Palau’s future, addressing the nation’s role in geopolitics, domestic challenges and environmental stewardship.
How can Vanuatu’s new parliament rebuild public trust?
As communities across Vanuatu welcomed a new year and contemplated multiple aspiring political candidates ahead of the 16 January snap election, a popular reggae song was making the rounds. Ol pipol oli taet (People