Tuvalu’s pro-Taiwan Prime Minister Natano loses seat in partial election results
The pro-Taiwan leader of the Pacific islands nation of Tuvalu, Kausea Natano, has lost his seat according to partial election results. The vote is being closely watched by Taiwan, China and the United States, amid
Tuvalu general election: Six newcomers in parliament
Tuvalu’s senior electoral official has confirmed there will be six new MPs and 10 returning to Parliament following the 2024 general election which saw former Prime Minister Kausea Natano ousted. The country went
Taiwan affirms close relations with Tuvalu
Taiwan maintains deep ties with Tuvalu, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said, amid reports the Pacific Island nation may switch recognition to Beijing. Tuvalu Ambassador to Taiwan, Bikenibeu Paeniu recently told
Scaling up renewable energy in the Pacific
A rural electrification project launched in Fiji last month will take electricity to almost 200 households from renewable energy sources, with project lead, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) highlighting the increasing
COP28 draft agreement calls for fossil fuel cuts but avoids ‘phase-out’
Oil-exporting countries will be called upon to reduce their production drastically in the coming decades, if a draft agreement published at the COP28 UN summit on Monday is accepted. The text avoids highly contentious
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,
Fiji Airways announces payload limitations
Fiji Airways says flights to three Pacific Island countries will operate with reduced seating capacities due to prevailing seasonal weather conditions in the region. The airline says some guests and checked bags may not
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
French companies aim to solidify footprint in the Pacific
Through banking, renewable energy and water security — French companies are looking to solidify their footprint in Fiji and the Pacific region through its ‘Make it Iconic’ campaign. The campaign aims to
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
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”
A significant contribution to international law on statehood: Former Tuvalu Foreign Minister
In a world grappling with the complex challenges of climate change, Tuvalu’s recent adoption of a new Constitution and the unanimous endorsement of a declaration by the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders stand out as a
The tides turn for rugby 7s in Tuvalu
Sevens rugby is still underdeveloped in Tuvalu while soccer is the sporting mainstay, but the tide is turning as sevens rugby picks up popularity in the lead-up to the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara this month. “I can
Tuvalu’s floating solar panels
In Funafuti, a small pond bordered by pig pens is now home to an innovative renewable energy pilot program, floating solar panels. Tuvalu Energy Corporation General Manager, Mafalu Lotolua says the project is a response
Google to run internet cables to Pacific islands in Australia-U.S. deal
Alphabet’s Google will run undersea cables powering internet access to at least eight far-flung Pacific Ocean nations under a joint U.S.-Australian deal set to be announced on Wednesday, according to a U.S.
COP28: Boiling Point
It’s taken 70 years but some of the life is slowly coming back around Bikini atoll, ravaged by the United States’ nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands immediately after World War Two. For a team from the
Tuvalu, Kiribati climate migrants ‘need immigration pathway’
Immigration reforms are urgently needed to create a pathway for climate migration to Aotearoa New Zealand from the low-lying atoll countries of Tuvalu and Kiribati, a researcher says. “There are currently no formal
Tuvalu Parliament unanimously approves new amended Constitution
Tuvalu’s Parliament has unanimously approved the proposed Constitution of Tuvalu Bill 2023 – endorsing 26 amendments proposed by the Parliamentary Review Committee led by former foreign affairs minister, Simon
FSM becomes first country to sign oceans treaty
The Federated States of Micronesia has signed a global treaty that aim to protect oceans that lie beyond national boundaries, becoming the first country in the world to do so. The new Biodiversity of Areas beyond
Conference to address sustainable infrastructure for the Pacific
An upcoming conference will be looking into the future of getting better quality infrastructure for Pacific Island countries. Organised by the Australia Pacific Islands Business Council (APIBC) in collaboration with the
Small islands slam ‘endless’ climate talks at landmark maritime court hearing
The heads of small island states most vulnerable to climate change have criticised “endless” climate change negotiations at the start of an unprecedented maritime court hearing. During the opening of a two-week
