We Say: More drama at USP
The rot continues at the University of the South Pacific. As we went to print, news broke that the USP’s supreme body, the USP Council has established a team to investigate its vice chancellor and president Professor
We Say
We say – Upheaval continues at USP
“It has been a year of hell. I have suffered enormously and so has my family for doing the right thing.” That was the testimony of University of South Pacific Vice Chancellor, Professor Pal Ahluwalia to the Fiji
We say – ‘We’re no pawns in your chess game’
There was no joy for Taiwan in September, as it lost the support of two of its Pacific island supporters in quick succession in Solomon Islands and Kiribati. The Solomons, under the leadership of newly-elected Prime
We say
Reporting SDG progress OUR islands of the Pacific are truly heaven on earth if the reading of their recent reporting to the United Nations on progress made on advancing the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development is
We Say
There’s less than a month to go until the results of the independent investigation into allegations of abuse and mismanagement at the University of the South Pacific are to be delivered. The details of the Terms of
Making of the world’s richest black Christian nation
Changing of the guard in PNG’s political leadership FOR someone who is still in the honeymoon period, James Marape is saying the right things. His words match his actions, so far. Marape has said that
Israel Folau is no martyr
SO Israel Folau will learn of his future as a professional rugby football star in Australia in early May. That is when the threemember tribunal will convene his code of conduct hearing for breaching allegedly his
Israel Folau is no martyr
SO Israel Folau will learn of his future as a professional rugby football star in Australia in early May. That is when the threemember tribunal will convene his code of conduct hearing for breaching allegedly his
Solomon Islands goes to the polls
SOLOMON Islands voters are on the verge of choosing their next government as the country goes to the polls amidst major economic and environmental challenges. The 3 April election is a test of the country’s
Going Renewable
Pacific island states take the lead in energy transformation WITH the world going out in a large way towards adopting green and clean energy that is renewable, it makes no ecological or economic sense for any country in
No more tokens please
Australia needs to treat the Pacific with a little more respect THE flying visit by Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, this month through Fiji and Vanuatu has been hailed as the beginning of a new era in
Give the Pacific a ‘fair go’
THE recent disparaging remarks made by Australia’s Environment Minister, Melissa Price, to former Kiribati President Anote Tong is a reminder of all that is bad about Australia and its views of the
Report of hope for Pacific
As we are faced with darkness there is hope. The special report from the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius has been released. The messages within
Step Up War Against Drugs
Parcels of hard drugs washing up on the shores of some remote and isolated islands in Fiji, the numerous arrests of drug dealers in Tonga and now the detention of what’s believed to be an armoured boat in the
Keep the China/Taiwan spat in check
THE controversy surrounding the ejection of China’s head of delegation from a meeting between Pacific leaders and donor partners at the 49th Pacific Islands Forum in Nauru was unfortunate as much as it was avertable.
A growing to-do list for Manu Tupou-Roosen beneath that tropical exterior is a steely resolve to get the work done and an attitude that no challenge is unsurmountable
WE wish the Director-General of the Forum Fisheries Agency, Dr Manu Tupou-Roosen, every success in the challenging task ahead. With years of experience in the agency and the intense talks around fisheries each year, she
Today, Solomon Islands stands on the cusp of a bright future supported by a growing private sector
THE Solomon Islands celebrated 40 years of independence this month. Despite four decades of tumultuous and often debilitating national events the Happy Isles remain positive that the best times are yet to be seen and
We Say – FFA continue to showcase and celebrate locally grown talent and expertise
By appointing from within the Pacific to provide able and inspirational leadership, agencies like the SPC and the FFA continue to showcase and celebrate locally grown talent and expertise. There is a changing of the
We Say – Global Climate Finance
Relying on the much-touted global climate finance mechanisms provided for under the Global Environment Fund or the Green Climate Fund is like waiting for a rainstorm in a drought stricken land. One knows rain is coming
We Say
“We need to realise something: Either we speak up now and draw a clear line under freedom of speech, or we write it off in the Pacific region” IT’S becoming far too common: Journalists and whistle blowers are
We say
It is hard to believe that in a region surrounded by sea, legislation has not been created, or enforced if they exist to ensure greater protection for those who travel between the islands. THE sinking of the Kiribati
Our wish list for the New Year
“Instead of a spirit of revenge there will be forgiveness, in place of hatred there will be love, compassion over vindictiveness, honesty over corruption, humility over tyranny, faith over cynicism, geniality over
Suburban risk
Time to pay for vital services THE fire which destroyed a significant part of Hanuabada Village in Papua New Guinea’s capital, Port Moresby, is a stark reminder to the region of the need for functioning, well-equipped