USP graduates share their aspirations

Years of hard work came to fruition last week after more than 1000 students received their certificates at the University of the South Pacific graduation ceremony in Suva, with 65% of them women. “As you step out of

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Niue, Tuvalu raise concerns over Fukushima radioactive wastewater release

The Governments of Niue and Tuvalu have raised their concerns over Japan’s release of treated radioactive wastewater from its Fukushima nuclear plant last Thursday. More than a million tons of ALPS (Advanced Liquid

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Inflation, interest rates cloud post-pandemic Pacific growth: World Bank

The resumption of tourism, higher public investment and construction have fuelled the Pacific region’s economic recovery from COVID-19 but a combination of persistently high imported inflation and interest rate hikes

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Tuvalu foreign minister Kofe resigns from Cabinet

Tuvalu’s foreign Minister Simon Kofe has announced his resignation from the island nation’s Cabinet on Friday. “Friends, today in Parliament I made a significant announcement. I’ve decided to

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Gulf oil states on a Pacific charm offensive

Gulf oil states are using their vast wealth to build influence across the far-flung South Pacific, experts have told AFP, tearing a page straight out of China’s Belt and Road playbook. Saudi Arabia and the United

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US$23 million to strengthen Tuvalu’s aviation sector

Tuvalu will soon receive US$23 million in grant financing to enhance its aviation sector, the World Bank has announced.  Through its Tuvalu Safe and Resilient Aviation Project, the Bank says it aims to improve the

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Fiji Airways reviews flight loads due to fuel shortage in Tuvalu

Some passengers with bookings to Tuvalu on Fiji Airways have been unable to travel this week, as the airline has had to review flight loads due to fuel shortages and supply issues at Funafuti International Airport. Fiji

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Widen tax base, spend more efficiently

World Bank's Advice to 9 Pacific Economies The World Bank says six Pacific Island countries are at high risk of debt distress, and that gradual cuts to government spending are vital for balancing budgets and avoiding

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Six Pacific countries at high risk of debt distress: World Bank

Six Pacific countries are at a high risk of debt distress in part due to government spending to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, the World Bank said in a report on Thursday. The report, titled Raising Pasifika, said

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Tuvalu joins forces with Sea Shepherd Global to combat illegal fishing

The Government of Tuvalu has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sea Shepherd Global, a marine conservation organisation based in the Netherlands, to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing

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Use of automated systems boosts revenue in Tuvalu

Tuvalu has increased revenue by 20% after automating its customs management systems. Paperless customs procedures have really made it simpler for traders in Tuvalu, says Sania Teisini, Director of Tuvalu’s Revenue

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Measuring vulnerability for development

Once again, people in Vanuatu are rebuilding their homes after two cyclones hit the nation in the first week of March. It’s a tragic reminder of the vulnerability of small island developing states and the way that

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Threats of sea-level rise very real: Tuvalu Foreign Minister

Legal experts from around the region are gathered in Fiji for the regional conference on Statehood, Protection of Persons affected by sea level rise. The conference was mandated by Forum Leaders recognising the many

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Pacific ministers call for fossil fuel free Pacific

An ambitious and historical call to action for a fossil fuel free Pacific was endorsed Friday in Port Vila – demanding a phase out of fossil fuel production from major economies that continue to produce coal, oil and

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Pacific nations explore opportunities to push for fossil fuel phase out

A yes vote at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) later this month to Vanuatu’s request for Advisory Opinion (AO) from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the obligations of States in respect of climate

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More Pacific countries likely to join the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

More Pacific countries are expected to join the global campaign to phase out the production and stockpiling of fossil fuels – after this week’s dialogue to build regional support and solidarity towards just

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Less prayer, more presence

It’s not every day that a young Pacific islander tells regional church leaders to stop praying about climate change and take firm, practical measures which people can see. Fresh off the flight from COP27 in Egypt,

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‘I hope they open their ears and listen to us’: Tuvalu at INC1 Forum

Pacific delegates attending the first session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC1) to negotiate a global legally binding instrument on plastics, have embraced the opportunity to share perspectives with

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Tuvalu’s Paeniu lauds recognition of loss and damage at COP27

Tuvalu’s Minister of Finance Seve Paeniu has praised the decision by the UN climate summit in Egypt, known as COP27, to formally recognise loss and damage from climate change. The move opens the way for more

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Tuvalu to protect maritime boundaries despite rising seas

In another first for the world, the island nation of Tuvalu has embarked on a national contingency plan to preserve and protect its statehood and sovereignty, in the event it becomes uninhabitable by 2050. It’s not

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COP27: Tuvalu leads call to phase out fossil fuels

Tuvalu has become the first country to use United Nations climate talks to demand an international fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty, which would phase out the use of coal, oil, and gas. The small Pacific island

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Tuvalu’s drought crisis

Tuvalu declared a State of Public Emergency Tuesday for the prolonged drought throughout the islands.  The Government is mobilising efforts to respond to both the drought and the COVID-19 outbreak.  “Testing times

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Journey to COP27: Pacific Women negotiators state their case for 1.5 world

Pacific women negotiators at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (UNFCCC COP) are adamant about what they want to come from COP27 in the city of Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

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Pacific Community’s Agricultural Gene Bank wins Global Award

The Pacific region, where most people depend on agriculture and fisheries for sustenance and income, is now one step ahead in food security, Inter Press Service reports. The region’s agricultural gene bank,

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