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,

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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”

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Opinion: What happens now that MEPC80 is behind us?

Next year the delegates of the 6PAC Plus will be back in London to determine the basket of measures that will accompany the newly adopted strategy to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of international shipping. The

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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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