Australia, PNG announce security deal
Australia clinched a security deal with Papua New Guinea on Thursday, bolstering ties to a key Pacific neighbour that has been courted persistently by China. Canberra pushed for a more substantive treaty earlier this
U.S. signals plan for immediate-range missiles in the North Pacific
The U.S. military’s purported plan to station intermediate-range missiles in Guam is likely to heighten concerns among some Pacific Island countries of a new era of militarisation of their region, analysts said. The
French foreign minister says she is open to South Pacific resettlement requests due to rising seas
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said on Monday she was open to any resettlement request from tiny South Pacific nations threatened by rising sea levels, similar to Australia’s agreement with Tuvalu. Colonna
Tuvalu official raises concerns and opportunities in Australia’s climate refuge offer
The Pacific Islands Forum Programme Adviser for Resilient Development Finance, has shared his thoughts on Australia’s offer to provide refuge to Tuvalu citizens in the face of climate change. In a PACNEWS interview,
Opinion: Tuvalu’s parliament debates the Falepili Union
Over the week of 20 November 2023, Tuvalu held its last parliamentary session under the Natano government, which was elected in 2019 and officially dissolved on 27 November. Elections for the new parliament will be held
Opinion: Australia-Tuvalu ‘Falepili’
The Australia-Tuvalu ‘Falepili’ strategy is bullish and most alarming. The initiative was never consulted with the people of Tuvalu, nor was it ever raised in Parliament. It is not a climate change response. It is
Climate concerns grow amongst Mariana Islands locals as U.S. military expands in region
The Mariana Islands have been under foreign occupation for centuries, and while they’re now a self-governing commonwealth, locals are becoming increasingly concerned about the U.S. military’s presence in the
21 countries agree to assist Samoa police in providing security during CHOGM
Over 20 countries including New Zealand and Australia have given the green light to lend a hand to the Samoan police in providing security for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2024. This was
First PNG woman for peacekeeping duties
Major Jacqueline Lilih has been posted to the United Nations Peacekeeping mission in Sudan, the first female PNG military officer to be deployed sent on such a tour of duty. Major Lilih departs for South Sudan today (21
NZDF, Vanuatu, New Caledonia arrive in Honiara for Pacific Games
A group of New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel, with two Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH90 helicopters, has arrived in Honiara to support the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), as the country
Australia’s deal with Tuvalu is not about climate justice, say experts
Australia’s offer to Tuvalu of 280 permanent residency visas every year as part of a new treaty between the two countries, is being criticised as an Australian strategic security initiative in the guise of climate
Australia has “resettlement edge” over China
In a report on Australia’s security/climate deal with Tuvalu, Indian news agency, Business Standard says Australia has scored a “significant win for influence” in the Pacific Islands region with a “trump card”
SOL23: Wallis & Futuna’s Chef De Mission leads the way, Australia sends 100 police officers
The Chef De Mission (CDM) for Team Wallis & Futuna, Polelei Valetino, has arrived in Solomon Islands ahead of his team. Valetino was welcomed by GOC PGA Team at the Henderson international airport. During an
Two-headed Monster, or Myth?
As the United States of America’s westernmost territory, Guam employs the unofficial but frequently used motto, "Where America's Day Begins", referring to the island's proximity to the International Date Line. A
Strengthening the Pacific’s nukes-free zone
A challenge for leaders in Rarotonga In August 1985, the Pacific Islands Forum held its annual summit in Cook Islands and adopted the Treaty of Rarotonga for a South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone (SPNFZ). Created at the
Water shocks impact the food chain
“We often think of buckets for food security. But in the Pacific, it means water security,” said Dave Hebblethwaite, the Pacific Community’s Water Security and Governance Coordinator. To illustrate his
Preaching partnership in the Pacific islands
As the Pacific Islands Forum holds its 52nd meeting in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, leaders are eager for international delegations to focus on Pacific agendas and priorities, exemplified by the 2050 Strategy for a Blue
China sending more police, donating equipment for Pacific Games
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has announced that China is sending additional police to the country to help provide security for the Pacific Games. The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) on
China’s declining aid to Pacific islands increasingly goes to allies, think tank reports
China’s declining aid to the South Pacific is increasingly targeted toward its political allies in the region as appetite there for Chinese credit declines and competition grows with the U.S. for influence, an
Governor worried about Guam’s security amid burgeoning regional tensions
Investing in Guam infrastructure will boost the island’s resilience amid the growing threats of geopolitical conflicts in which the territory is strategically positioned on the front line, according to Governor Lou
U.S., Marshall Islands sign security deal that will limit China’s access to Western Pacific
The Republic of the Marshall Islands and the U.S. signed agreements Monday that will give Washington a stronger presence in the Western Pacific and the right to deny China and other nations access to the islands’
Patriot missile plan stirs debate in Palau
Stationing a U.S. missile system in Palau would be for security not aggression as the Pacific island country’s close relationship with the United States means it is already a target of possible attack, President
Chinese grifters tie up UN, Marshalls in scam
The stakes could scarcely have been higher for Hilda Heine, the former president of the Marshall Islands. For years, her remote archipelago nation of just 40,000 people was best known to the world — if known at all