Forum debates French colonialism, China and climate change
As Presidents, Prime Ministers and Premiers assembled in the Kingdom of Tonga for the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM), the region’s Blue Pacific agenda was overshadowed by geopolitical jousting and
Whispers
Dispatches from Tonga The ubiquity of mobile phones is a growing issue at the Pacific Islands Forum. At last month’s leaders’ meeting in Nuku’alofa, every ceremony and event was captured on phones, with selfies
Kava: Protecting our lifeblood
Kava is of immense cultural significance to peoples across the region: yaqona in Fiji, malogu in Vanuatu, 'ava in Samoa, 'awa in Hawai’i and sakau in the Federated States of
Tonga Supreme Court overturns Reserve Bank order to remove Development Bank’s CEO
The Tonga Supreme Court has ordered that the CEO and executive of the Tongan Development Bank are to remain in place. The court has ordered that the Development Bank not engage in any economic development activities
Tonga Law Society members petition for removal of first gay Chief Justice
A group of Tonga’s legal professionals have launched a petition calling for the removal of the newly appointed Chief Justice, Welshman Malcolm Bishop. Some members of the Tonga Law Society argue the appointment
World Bank approves $68 million cross-border bank lifeline for remote Pacific Islands
The World Bank’s board has approved a US$68 million programme to prevent Pacific Island nations from being cut off from the international financial system that underpins tourism, trade and aid flows, the
John Strange to coach Tonga women as new dawn begins for Pacific nation
NRLW premiership winning coach John Strange will take charge of Tonga women in the upcoming Pacific Championships and 2026 Rugby League World Cup qualifying matches. Strange, who coaches Sydney Roosters, guided the club
Digicel Pacific taps SES’s services to bolster Disaster recovery for Tonga
Amidst the increase in natural disasters in the Pacific region, Digicel Pacific and SES have announced an agreement to bolster Digicel Pacific’s network with SES’s service to enable critical communications to be
French Polynesia’s Moetai Brotherson on New Caledonia, deep sea mining and regional ties
As French diplomats worked the corridors at last week’s 53rd Pacific Islands Forum in Nuku’alofa, President of French Polynesia Moetai Brotherson has criticised decisions taken by President Emmanuel Macron that have
Pacific Islands Forum tweaks communique after China outburst
The Pacific Islands Forum secretariat has altered the communique from last week’s summit in Tonga to remove an affirming reference to Taiwan, after an outburst from China. In a tumultuous ending to the otherwise
MSG Leaders push for strong stance on New Caledonia at Tonga Summit
The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) leaders, meeting on the sidelines of the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga, have called for a robust and unified approach to key regional issues, particularly the ongoing situation
Tonga’s Finance Minister urges Pacific unity to increase Resilience Fund
Tonga’s Finance Minister, Tiofilusi Tiueti, has urged Pacific nations and their partners to rally behind the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), calling it a “bold step” towards a more resilient and sustainable
EU Commissioner Urpilainen calls on OACPS members to settle dues
European Union Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, Wednesday expressed serious concerns over the financial health of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS), warning
Regional Kava Strategy launched: Tonga’s Princess urges protection against cultural misappropriation
Tongan Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tuku’aho has issued a passionate call for the protection of kava’s cultural and economic value at the launch of the Regional Kava Development Strategy on Wednesday, emphasising
Kurt Campbell pledges support for Forum, as US mobilises across the north Pacific
“Across the board, if you look at the nature of our step up in every arena, it is unmistakable, it is fulsome, it is deliberate and it will continue.” `-Kurt Campbell As Pacific leaders gather in the Kingdom of
Marshall Islands wants Forum support on nuclear legacies and human rights
For twelve years after the Second World War, the United States conducted 67 nuclear tests on Bikini and Enewetak atolls in the Marshall Islands. Today, the government and people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
Forum opens with songs of resilience, followed by earthquake
As delegates gathered in Nuku’alofa for the annual Pacific Islands Forum, the new Indoor Stadium at Tonga High School resonated with song from hundreds of school students, at Monday’s official opening. Soon after
Pacific Islands SG visits tsunami-affected school
Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Baron Waqa, was welcomed with songs and cheers this week when he visited a Tongan primary school that was devastated by the December 2021 volcanic eruption and tsunami.
Transformative Resilient Pasifiki: Exploring the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting theme
The theme for the 53rd Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting is Transformative Resilient Pasifiki: Build Better Now. And this week that theme prompted Tongan journalists who were undergoing training in preparation for
Outgoing Forum Chair Mark Brown reflects on challenging times
“We’ve been mindful that our region is of great interest from a geopolitical perspective over the last few years or so,” says Prime Minister of Cook Islands Mark Brown. “But the security issues that are seen by
Pacific Civil Society Forum to launch during 53rd Leaders Meeting
The Pacific Civil Society Forum will host a Pacific People’s Forum alongside the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga from 26 – 30 August, with its theme “Pikipiki Hama Kae Vaevae Manava.”.
The Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting: Why does it matter?
The 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM53) kicks off next week in Nukualofa, and it has some Tongans asking what is its purpose, and what are the benefits of this annual event? Director for Governance and
UN Secretary-General Guterres to start Pacific swing
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is making his first visit to the Pacific in five years, taking in Samoa, New Zealand, Tonga and East Timor. The centrepiece of Guterres’ mission will be the