Pacific leaders call for systemic change to advance women’s political participation
“We need to work across all levels grassroots, traditional, professional, and national to truly change the landscape of political leadership for Pacific women,” said Sashi Kiran, Fiji’s Minister for Women,
Bridging faith, culture and gender equality in the Pacific
A prominent faith leader says many gender inequalities in Pacific cultures are rooted in misinterpretations of religious
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
Palau, escaping Trump tariffs, says strong U.S. good for Pacific
Palau's president remains optimistic that the U.S. will maintain its regional commitment despite recent aid disruptions, emphasising the nation's strategic ties under its compact of free
Trump’s tariffs and the Pacific
Most Pacific island countries got off relatively lightly with last week’s Trump “reciprocal” tariff
Cultural and custom powerhouse reopens
Vanuatu celebrated the restoration of the national nakamal this month with ceremony and
Supporting Commentary: Charting our own course with hope, dignity and purpose
To reduce reliance on external aid, the Pacific must strengthen regional integration through existing and new frameworks that promote economic resilience, people mobility, and sovereign
Auditor General exposes missing receipts for $60m COVID-19 funds as Ex-PM, Minister deflect concerns
Tongan government launched a TOP$60 million (US$24.97 million) stimulus budget in 2020 to ease the economic pressure on public health emergencies and health systems due to the COVID-19
Do U.S tariffs signal an end to business as usual for Pacific
President Trump's 2025 withdrawal from the Paris Climate Treaty signaled a disregard for international commitments, potentially encouraging other nations to act with similar
Pacific leaders unite for historic CEDAW session in Fiji
Nahla Haidar calls the session a historic first for the region, fostering closer UN-community
‘No more excuses: real climate action now’
Vanuatu supports 6PAC+ at IMO, demanding urgent climate action and accountability for
Littleproud says Coalition government would urge Pacific to be ‘more aggressive’ on China
David Littleproud urges Pacific pressure on China, sparking Labor criticism of Coalition's climate
Fiji hit with 32% US tariff under Trump’s new trade policy
Fiji will now face a 32% tariff on its exports to the US, with water exports to be hardest
Financial desperation is driving TMC’s reckless push to bypass International law inbox
The Deep Sea Mining Campaign (DSMC) has condemned The Metals Company’s (TMC) announcement that it will seek deep-sea mining permits through the United States as a cynical, desperate attempt to stay afloat, not a
Kiribati dodges aid cuts in NZ review
The New Zealand Government has decided against cutting its current foreign aid to Kiribati, following a review sparked by a diplomatic stoush between Foreign Minister Winston Peters and the island nation’s
Poll position: What Australia’s election holds for the Pacific
Australia’s policies toward the Pacific will continue to be primarily driven by China’s resurgence, no matter who is elected. Commentary by Tess Newton Cain When Solomon Islands and China signed a
Breaking the cycle of donor dependency in the Pacific
For decades, the Pacific Islands region has been heavily reliant on donor funding to support development, governance, and capacity-building initiatives. While donor support has played a role in strengthening
Micronesian leader says he trusts Japan’s nuclear wastewater disposal process
Micronesian President Wesley Simina has expressed confidence in Japan’s treatment of radioactive water being dumped from the disabled Fukushima Daiichi power plant into the Pacific Ocean. “The visit to Fukushima
Tongan PM warns of global uncertainty as Forum Finance Ministers endorse three key regional initiatives
In a clear warning to his fellow Pacific Finance Ministers, Tongan Prime Minister and Forum Chair Dr ʻAisake Eke highlighted on Wednesday the rising global uncertainty, fuelled in part by shifting U.S policies under
Misogyny on the rise: But women fight back
The opening session of the Commission of the Status of Women (CSW) meeting in New York this month heard that “misogyny is on the rise.” Sima Bahous, the Executive Director of UN Women, said women and girls are
‘My parents always told me to dream for the stars: ‘CHamoru name makes it to the moon
Among other things, Marcus Manglona from Guam now has one claim to fame—his name is on the moon. The Blue Ghost lunar lander, which landed on the moon on 02 March, carried with it not just NASA scientific equipment
2025 Australian aid update
Australia’s foreign aid (Official Development Assistance or ODA) for 2025-26 is budgeted at $5.097 billion as announced in Tuesday evening’s Federal Budget, a 2.7% increase over the 2024-25 aid budget of $4.961
Aviation a lifeline for the Pacific, says Forum SG Waqa
Forum Secretary General Baron Divavesi Waqa, Thursday emphasised the vital role aviation plays in the region’s future, calling it not just a mode of transport, but a lifeline for island economies. Speaking to
