Samoa, as Chair of AOSIS, flags special circumstances of SIDS at plastic treaty talks. Pacific SIDS calls for global solidarity in addressing the plastics crisis, asks for high ambition
Samoa, as Chair of AOSIS, flags special circumstances of SIDS at plastic treaty talks As officials and negotiators sift through the revised draft text of the international legally binding instrument on plastic
Opinion: What’s wrong with Vanuatu’s proposed party laws?
Vanuatu is holding its first ever referendum on 29th May on two constitutional amendments designed to lessen instability on the floor of parliament. The first amendment (17A) intends to tie members of parliament (MPs)
Opinion: Squaring a vicious circle: political party laws in Vanuatu
Vanuatu will witness a referendum on two constitutional amendments designed to strengthen the party system on 29 May 2024. The proposed reforms, passed by parliament in December 2023, seek to tie MPs to political
Pacific Islands eye medicinal cannabis cultivation
But social concerns remain Pacific governments are grappling with balancing the potential economic benefits of legalising medicinal cannabis cultivation with social concerns, as they eye the potentially lucrative new
Human Rights Defenders build regional protection strategy
Pacific human rights defenders are building a regional protection strategy in the face of challenges ranging from inadequate judicial systems to colonial-era laws and heavy-handed law enforcement. Office of the United
Pressure builds at IMO meet for charge on global shipping sector’s CO2 emissions
The European Union, Canada, Japan, and climate-vulnerable Pacific Island states are among 47 countries rallying support for a charge on the international shipping sector’s greenhouse gas emissions, documents reviewed
Vanuatu referendum seeks to instill stability after revolving-door governments
An upcoming referendum in Vanuatu to outlaw political-party hopping by legislators has sparked lively debate in the Pacific island country, which has faced three changes of government in the past year. Dissatisfaction
Pacific women and online abuse
Fijian women are bearing the brunt of online abuse, says the country’s Online Safety Commission (OSC). The OSC says 61.44% of Fijian women experience this form of violence while men account for 38.56%. Facebook
The National University of Vanuatu strengthens its digital services and invests in ICT technology to support students’ education
At the National University of Vanuatu (NUV), the year 2024 brings forth a new era for students with enhanced classrooms, improved internet connectivity, and expanded access to computers and laptops, ensuring success of
Possible to have a Motion of No Confidence this year: Vanuatu Opposition Leader
The newly appointed Opposition Leader in Vanuatu and Member of Parliament for Port Vila, Ishmael Kalsakau has indicated the potential for a Motion of No Confidence against the Prime Minister if specific concerns
National Referendum in six months: Vanuatu PM
Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai announced in Parliament Tuesday that a national referendum is expected to happen within the next six months. This announcement followed the unanimous approval of the
Vanuatu political leaders in talks to form unity govt
Talks are underway in Vanuatu to try and establish a government of national unity. It comes after months of instability that has seen three governments in three months. Radio New Zealand reports that on Sunday, Prime
Opinion: Basic but essential: Vanuatu’s proposed political integrity legislation
Vanuatu has had three different prime ministers since 4 September, and weathered several court challenges as politicians and parties battled for parliamentary supremacy. Vanuatu’s citizens have expressed their
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
Thirteen Green Entrepreneurs from Vanuatu graduate from the Pacific Greenpreneurs program 2023
[Port Vila, Vanuatu, 23rd November 2023] – The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) in partnership with the Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) celebrated the graduation of its 2023 cohort of the
Vanuatu politics: MPs make compromises to avoid dissolution of parliament
Politically the mood eased slightly Wednesday in Vanuatu after the President Nikenike Vurobaravu had ordered MPs to sort themselves out or he would dissolve the parliament. At a short, extraordinary session MPs voted to
1,816 sign petition as effort to end Vanuatu political instability
Over 1,816 citizens representing different sectors and voices, going under the Movement Red, have signed a petition urging parliamentarians to urgently discuss and pass Bills addressing political integrity. 164 people
We are sorry: Vanuatu MP Kalsakau
The Vanuatu Opposition bloc has publicly apologised to the people of Vanuatu. Ishmael Kalsakau, serving as both the Member of Parliament (MP) for Port Vila and the President of the Union of Moderate Parties (UMP),
Vanuatu’s first women’s rugby league team already winners, says manager
Vanuatu’s first-ever rugby league team in the women’s category will add to the excitement building in Honiara for the 2023 Pacific Games, with Vanuatu Rugby League (VRL) founding member and team manager of
NZDF, Vanuatu, New Caledonia arrive in Honiara for Pacific Games
A group of New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel, with two Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH90 helicopters, has arrived in Honiara to support the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), as the country
29 signatories on vote of no confidence motion against Vanuatu PM
A total of 29 Members of Parliament have signed and lodged a motion of no confidence in Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Tuesday evening, marking a month and one day since he assumed the role as Vanuatu’s 27th PM. This
OTEC: Challenging the status quo
The proponents of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) are hoping that the technology will finally get a foothold in the Pacific, following their recent mission to Fiji. A Regional Energy and Transport Ministers’
