International football action returns to Oceania
Several international friendlies took place over the last week in Fiji and New Zealand, with some excellent football on display. Fiji hosted a three team tournament, involving Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. In the first
Air Vanuatu’s new fleet of eight airplanes
Air Vanuatu’s new fleet will consist of two Boeing aircraft, two additional ATR aircraft, and four Twin Otter planes, to service the country both internationally and domestically. Prime Minister Ishmael
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
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
US$1.7 million to support Vanuatu’s cyclone recovery: CERF
The United Nations’ Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has approved US$1.7 million funding for recovery efforts in Vanuatu following twin Category-4 cyclones Judy and Kevin earlier this month. The funding, the
CSOs urge governments to set global example on fossil fuel free Pacific
Civil society organisations in Vanuatu and the Pacific are calling on governments to set global example and declare the Pacific region free of fossil fuel exploration and extraction. The intervention from civil society
Emerging collective call for fossil fuel free Pacific
As Pacific Ministers wrap up their three-day dialogue in Port Vila today, there’s strong calls for a fossil fuel free Pacific – and a push to transition away from oil and gas and explore safe and sustainable
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
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
MSG marks 35 year anniversary
The Director General of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) says the Secretariat is confident that under Kalsakau’s Chairmanship, “we can take our cooperative relationship in MSG to a higher level”. The
Pacific leaders to discuss global transition away from fossil fuels
The Governments of Vanuatu and Tuvalu will host the ‘2nd Pacific Ministerial Dialogue on Pathways for the Global Just Transition away from Fossil Fuels’ in Port Vila this week, from 15-17 March 2023. It will be
Vanuatu MP allocation increased to VT5 million
Members of Parliament in Vanuatu will now receive a higher amount of funding to cater for their constituents. The MPs will now be entitled to an amount of VT5 million(US$41,544) as their MP Allocation fund. This is
MSG Secretariat looks to China
The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat is considering engaging China for cooperation on security, its secretariat says. Following a meeting between the Chinese Special Envoy to the Pacific, Qian Bo and the
US$50 million Vanuatu twin cyclone disaster cost
The initial estimate of the recovery cost following Vanuatu’s twin cyclone disaster is estimated at six billion vatu (US$50 million). Cyclones Judy and Kevin caused extensive damage and plunged parts of Vanuatu
Australia and NZ sending cyclone relief to Vanuatu
Australia and New Zealand are sending humanitarian supplies to Vanuatu after the nation was hit by two cyclones within days of each other. Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced the departure of a Royal New
Honouring the water: Vanuatu’s water drummers
In the land where there are hundreds of indigenous languages, one stands out, the unique language of women’s water drumming, or Ëtëtung. Sandy Sur, manager of the Leweton Culture Village & Magical Water
Cyclone Judy lashes Vanuatu as residents hunker down
Residents of Vanuatu are hunkering down as a cyclone barrels through the Pacific island nation. Authorities said there were power outages in some areas and many fallen trees and branches, but it was too early to assess
Vanuatu braces for impending Category 3 cyclone
Vanuatu is bracing for the impact of a Category 2 cyclone, which is expected to intensify to a Category 3 over the course of this week. This was confirmed by Anthony Wong, the Weather Forecaster at the Vanuatu
Free Visa access to New Caledonia soon
Vanuatu and New Caledonia are expected to reach a visa waiver agreement soon. This news comes after a meeting between Vanuatu Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Tuna cannery still in the pipeline in Vanuatu
The outgoing Director General (DG) of Vanuatu’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity (MALFFB), Moses Amos, has confirmed that the management of Sino-Van plans to set up a small
Australia to build Vanuatu’s national security centre
Australia will build a new national security hub for Vanuatu and beef up its economic support for the Pacific island nation’s key sectors. In a joint statement released after a meeting in Canberra, Vanuatu Prime
MSG responds to “misrepresentation”
The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat says there are no Indonesians recruited at the Secretariat, nor has it made any decision nor an official announcement to this effect. The Secretariat has 30 positions on
Accepting Indonesia into MSG was a mistake: Natuman
Former Vanuatu Prime Minister Joe Natuman says allowing Indonesia, by former Prime Minister Sato Kilman into the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) was a mistake. “We (Melanesians) have a moral obligation to support