Pacific ‘not a chessboard for global competition’: Dr Aqorau
A proliferation of security deals in the Pacific may be harming rather than helping the region and increasing the risk of conflict, observers have warned. Geopolitical tensions were among the most hotly debated topics
Pacific must get deep-sea mining decisions right, says Tongan Minister
Tonga’s Minister of Lands, Survey, Planning, and Natural Resources, Dr ‘Uhilamoelangi Fasi, has called for a responsible and collaborative approach to deep-sea mining (DSM), warning that decisions made today
Pacific demographics, economies, education and more
Practical Knowledge for Free Downloads By Professor Wadan Narsey Professor Narsey has worked at USP for some four decades and has also been a Fiji Member of Parliament. He had taught thousands of Pacific students at USP
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
Credibility of the U.S in the Pacific at risk if USAID programmes cut – expert
A Massey University academic says the uncertainty over the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID) will have implications for the Pacific region. RNZ Pacific reports that Donald Trump is considering
Eyes on the prize: Will Trump take Toroama’s bait?
Under the rich, black soil of Bougainville lie copper deposits worth close to US$60 billion. It’s enough copper to create over 4000 jobs in an economy desperate to be free of Papua New Guinea and propel the world’s
Take them off: Concern over teen social media use
Australia’s bold move to ban social media for children under 16 years, a world-first law, has sparked a global debate. The policy is now a topic of conversation and consideration in many countries, including those in
Briefs
American SamoaAmerican Samoa’s Department of Health has announced an increase in respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and the flu. The Department of Health is urging people to
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
CNMI governor says federal memo on funding freeze a ‘wake-up call’ for states and territories
CNMI Governor Arnold Palacios said the Office of the Budget Management’s rescinded memo that called for a pause on all federal assistance programmes served as a wake-up call for all states and
From Palau to the Pacific: Building Sustainable Energy Solutions Across Island Nations
In 2022, British electrical engineering company Utilligence secured a contract to install domestic solar systems in Palau through an Asian Development Bank partnership initiative. The project offers
Reviving indigenous foodways to combat health issues in the Pacific
A discussion on Indigenous foodways and community-based approaches to healthy eating solutions has heard of the need for more significant research into the composition of local foods. Experts convened at the University
Opinion: Trusted partner to the Pacific, or giant fossil fuel exporter? This week, Australia chose the latter
Australia has long tried to be two things at once – a trusted friend to Pacific nations in a bid to reduce China’s influence, and a giant exporter of fossil fuels. This diplomatic tightrope has become increasingly
Albanese wants to “China-proof” the Pacific, but Nauru is driving a hard bargain
The Albanese government hopes to end the year with a major foreign policy victory by signing a landmark pact with Nauru aimed at preventing China from gaining a security foothold in the Pacific. The Sydney Morning
Briefs
American Samoa A runoff election is set for the American Samoa gubernatorial race after no candidate secured the required 50% majority. The team of Pulaalii Nikolao Pula and Pulu Ae Ae Jr led with 42.4% of votes (4284),
Pacific education: Backsliding outcomes and a financing freefall
Education outcomes in the Pacific are faltering. Across much of the region, participation in formal education is declining, along with graduation rates and academic performance. Both domestic and international funding
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
Moeloto Tuilaepa Tiatia wins for Samoa and the Pacific
Moeloto Tuilaepa Tiatia of Samoa has been elected to the Commonwealth Youth Council executive board ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Samoa. She emerged as Pacific representative after a keenly
Pacific nations gear up for a fight over shipping emissions at critical UN meeting
Pacific nations are preparing for a pivotal week of negotiations in London on how to cut planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions in the global shipping industry. Countries will gather later this month to lay out
New Zealand’s army chief: Pacific nations need tailored military training
As the U.S, China and other powers vie for strategic influence in Pacific Island militaries, the army chief of New Zealand told The Associated Press that not all of the larger nations bidding to offer support are
“Literacy is the skill we build to communicate”: Celebrating World Literacy Day
Literacy is not just about reading or writing was the message to teachers, students and policy makers marking International Literacy Day in Suva earlier this month. Former Pacific Community (SPC) Director of Educational
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
Pacific islands submit court proposal for recognition of ecocide as a crime
Three developing countries have taken the first steps towards transforming the world’s response to climate breakdown and environmental destruction by making ecocide a punishable criminal offence. In a submission to
New U.S COFA agreements offer $7.1b boost to Pacific Freely Associated States, but fiscal reforms are key, ADB report
The streams of U.S dollars that the three freely associated states will receive under their renewed bilateral agreements with the United States will go a long way if they implement stringent fiscal and debt policies and
