Opinion: High seas treaty too late to stop seabed mining
When the International Seabed Authority begins accepting applications for deep-sea mining operations in the coming weeks, there will remain a lingering question. How much control will authorities have over operations to
Temperatures off the charts, but more records imminent: WMO
Global sea surface temperatures reached a record high in May, June, and July – and the warming El Niño weather pattern is only just getting started – experts at the UN World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said
Israel frees Fijian UN peacekeepers cleared of drug smuggling suspicion
Israel has released three Fijian UN peacekeepers arrested for drug smuggling, after it emerged the suspicious substance they were carrying across the border was not liquid cocaine, police said Sunday. The three
Pacific calls for immediate ratification of Highseas Treaty
As the global community embrace the adoption of the new Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) treaty, the Pacific are calling on the international community to seize this milestone momentum and rally
First steps agreed on plastics treaty after breakthrough at Paris talks
Nation-state representatives have taken the first concrete step toward a legally binding treaty to regulate plastic, described as the most important green deal since the 2015 international climate agreement. The banging
New Caledonia’s FLNKS wants ICJ advice on contested vote
A New Caledonian pro-independence leader says the advice of the International Court of Justice is being sought over the contested 2021 referendum on independence from France. Roch Wamytan, who is the president of New
Samoa sends first team of UN Peacekeepers since COVID lockdown
A 10 member team of Samoan police officers leaves today for training in Jakarta, Indonesia before deployment under the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission. It is the first team sent for peace keeping duties since the
Tongan Foreign Minister ‘Utoikamanu accepts Chair of the ESCAP 79th Session
Tongan Foreign Minister Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu is the new chair of the ESCAP 79th Session underway in Bangkok, Thailand this week. In her acceptance speech, ‘Utoikamanu said the deliberations of the
UN resolution a victory for Pacific youth
The United Nations’ adoption of a resolution calling for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the obligations of States on climate change, is a victory for the Pacific, and for a group
WHO dismisses Fijian senior official after sexual misconduct accusations
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has dismissed Dr Temo Waqanivalu, a senior official accused of three separate instances of sexual misconduct over five years. “Dr Temo Waqanivalu has been dismissed from WHO
Current climate policies ‘a death sentence’ for the world: UN Chief
If governments continue with the same environmental policies currently in place, the world will become 2.8°C hotter by the end of the century, which would be “a death sentence”, warned the UN chief on Thursday.
UN court gets request for advisory opinion on climate change
The United Nations’ highest court confirmed Wednesday that the General Assembly has asked for it to issue an advisory opinion on “the obligations of States in respect of climate change.” UN nations led by the
How Vanuatu’s climate campaign could save the world
The tiny island country has pushed the UN and the International Court of Justice to take unprecedented action that could help avert planetary catastrophe. A small miracle happened in New York on 29 March. A humble
Cop28 host UAE tried to weaken global shipping climate ambition
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) tried to weaken global shipping’s climate target last week, sparking fears that it will lack ambition as host of the Cop28 climate summit. According to four sources in the room, the UAE
Deep-sea mining meeting closes without consensus
As meetings to oversee deep-sea mining on the high seas draw to a close, it remains unclear whether regulators will allow it to commence in the near future. At the 07-31 March meetings in Kingston, Jamaica, of the
UN backs landmark Pacific-led climate resolution
The United Nations has adopted a landmark resolution asking the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to deliver an opinion on climate change and the legal consequences countries face for harming the environment. It is
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
Vanuatu calls on major polluters to back UN resolution
Vanuatu’s Foreign Minister says it would be “embarrassing” for both China and the United States if they fail to back the Pacific Island nation’s push to get the International Court of Justice to issue a ruling
Nations fight to be called climate vulnerable in IPCC report
Government negotiators fought bitterly last week over which groups and regions are defined as particularly vulnerable to climate change in the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
UN climate report an emergency siren: Greenpeace Pacific
The final report from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s Sixth Assessment Cycle is the final-hour warning before the clock runs out on 1.5°C, and we must pull every lever to achieve
Power up renewables, power down fossil fuels: Boeve
May Boeve, Executive Director of 350.org, says the latest IPCC report, released Monday, urgently demands a phase out of fossil fuels and a just transition to publicly and community-centered renewable energy and it
Leader of International Seabed Mining Agency admonished by diplomats
Michael Lodge, the head of the United Nations-affiliated agency with jurisdiction over international ocean waters, has pushed diplomats to accelerate the start of industrial-scale mining at the bottom of the Pacific
55 countries face a health worker crunch linked to COVID-19: WHO
No less than 55 countries are struggling with serious health worker shortages as they continue to seek better paid opportunities in wealthier nations that have stepped up efforts to recruit them amid the COVID-19
