Opinion: Harris and the Pacific Islands: Delivering on a Pacific vision

In the whirlwind of speeches to cement Kamala Harris’ presidential credentials, the Pacific Islands have hardly rated a

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Opinion: Pacific initiatives need transparency and ground rules to reduce harmful competition

It’s time for the Pacific to talk about ground rules in the security sector, write Blake Johnson and Adam

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Opinion: It’s not just police who police

Captured on camera chatting with American diplomat Kurt Campbell in Tonga last month, Anthony Albanese described Pacific leaders’ support for a new Australian-led policing initiative as a big win.   “We had a

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Opinion: World’s biggest deforestation project gets underway in Papua for sugarcane

Excavators have begun clearing land in the Indonesian region of Papua in what’s been described as the largest deforestation undertaking in the world. A total of 2 million hectares (5 million acres) of forests,

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Opinion: Tribute to John Paska: A remarkable trade union leader

I am honoured to write about John Paska’s passing on 9 August 2024 after a short illness. He was 76 years old. Until recently, he was the President of the Papua New Guinea Trade Union Congress (PNGTUC), an elevation

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Opinion: Cables under the sea: Pacific island countries need integrated electricity grids

Australia should supercharge the development of Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and contribute to their lasting economic security by investing in inter-island electricity grids and diversified energy sources.  A green

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Opinion: Samoa rolls out a red-carpet welcome fit for a king

‘Leave your suits at home.’ That’s the travel advisory message from Samoa’s prime minister ahead of her tiny Pacific nation hosting one of the world’s most prestigious meeting of world leaders next month, in

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Opinion: Not merely ‘exploration’: PNG deep-sea mining riles critics & surprises officials

A deep-sea mining operation that recently took place off the coast of Papua New Guinea (PNG) has raised alarm bells for environmentalists and called into question the validity of the country’s moratorium on such

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Opinion: Albanese government’s Pacific policing deal is a masterstroke of diplomacy

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese may be attempting to backpedal from a “hot mic” moment at the Pacific Islands Forum this week in which he joked the United States “go halvies” on a new regional

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Opinion: Travel recovery in the Pacific: worrying signs

As the pandemic recedes and gradually fades from people’s memories, travel in the Pacific is rebounding. However, the Pacific’s travel recovery is highly variable. Comparing visitor arrivals in 2023 with those in

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Opinion: As Western banks leave the Pacific, a new player emerges

Australian banks are gradually withdrawing from the Pacific Islands, leaving the region at risk of being totally disconnected from the global banking system. Bendigo Bank is exiting Nauru, while Westpac has floated

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Opinion: Pacific justice is a shared responsibility

By Kate Schuetze, Amnesty International, Acting Deputy Regional Director for Research This coming week will see a crucial moment for states and territories in the Pacific to express their views on challenges the region

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