About to fall down
PNG – land of the mystic PAPUA New Guinea marks its independence this month, just weeks after the end of elections. This land of contrast with vast amounts of natural resources has been plagued by corruption and
The Region
Melanesian challenge
Diplomat calls for greater sub-regionalism A SENIOR regional diplomat has called for more cooperation at sub-regional level to create more efficient service delivery by regional organisations. Melanesian Spearhead Group
What can the 2030 What can the 2030 Agenda offer the Pacific?
A CONFERENCE being held in New York in June may seem to be of little interest to those in canoes or on beaches in the Pacific. “What’s this to do with me?” government officials, community leaders and fishers may
Big brothers get deal they always wanted
THE regional free trade agreement, known as PACER-Plus was concluded last month in Brisbane, Australia. As usual, such events are met with great fan-fare and congratulatory press releases. New Zealand called the deal
40 years on, Forum challenges remain
WHEN Pacific Islands Forum Leaders gathered in Apia, Samoa, in 1978, the then Prime Minister Honourable Tupuola Efi said: “The basic question that faces us, is that of deciding how to re-define the rules to assure
Pacific exports increase
Exports Survey has found that business confidence among Pacific Island exporters has increased since 2014 with a growth in actual export numbers despite a decline in export destinations. Commissioned by Pacific Trade
SPC, 70 years on
THIS year marks the 70th Anniversary of the Pacific Community – SPC, and we are excited at the timely opportunity to reflect and celebrate the shared progress we have made with our members and partners over the
The clock ticks
Indonesia fails media test in West Papua JUST five months before Indonesia is set to host UNESCO’s 2017 celebration of World Press Freedom Day, its government still has not met a regional human rights
ABC ditches short wave radio
Cuts to undermine Australia’s reach IN September 2016, New Caledonia and French Polynesia joined the Pacific Islands Forum, further linking the francophone Pacific territories with their anglophone neighbours. In
Leaders agree to disagree on West Papua
THE issue of West Papua remains a headache for the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). Member countries like Australia, Papua New Guinea and Fiji are reluctant to grant full membership to the United Liberation Movement of West
And now there are 18
New Caledonia and French Polynesia join forum BURIED in the communiqué of the 47th Pacific Islands Forum, at item 30, is a single sentence: “Leaders accepted French Polynesia and New Caledonia as full
Hollow words
Does Obama mean what he says DESPITE his recent call for a world without nuclear weapons, the United States under President Barack Obama is about to embark on a trillion-dollar modernisation programme. This will ensure
Battle for justice
Churches call for fair settlement AT the heart of the cry for justice in the Pacific is the damage to property and life caused by the region’s former and current colonial powers. The church has historically been
Blast from the past
70 YEARS ON Fallout of America’s bomb in the Pacific remains WHEN Barrack Obama stood in the centre of Hiroshima, Japan, in May, the moment was hailed as a moment in history. The global media extolled the
Blast from the past
70 YEARS ON Fallout of America’s bomb in the Pacific remains WHEN Barrack Obama stood in the centre of Hiroshima, Japan, in May, the moment was hailed as a moment in history. The global media extolled the
The Region in BRIEF
Tuna Day THE Parties to the Nauru Agreement and the Pacific Small Islands Developing States celebrated World Tuna day at the United Nations last month. It was the first time the event was celebrated at the UN since
Pacific unions reach across boundaries
FOR many years, the South Pacific and Oceanic Council of Trade Unions (SPOCTU) has linked unionists from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, to organise around wages, conditions and occupational health and safety.