Page 7 - IB March 2025

Briefs Briefs
internal party turmoil and gendered attacks. Opponents
New York. Nauru officials met with ISA Secretary-General within the Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party
Leticia Carvalho to discuss capacity-building and strategic sought to oust her after she dismissed party Chairman La’auli
partnerships. Leuatea Schmidt. During a heated parliamentary session, MP
Fuiono Tenina Crichton sparked controversy by suggesting
Fiame should have married to receive better advice. Fiame
remained composed, refusing to engage in personal attacks.
New Caledonia
A media library in Kaala-Gomen, at the north-eastern tip of Despite internal divisions, Opposition members backed her,
securing her position.
New Caledonia’s main island, was destroyed by fire late on 2
March. Firefighters managed to contain the blaze, preventing
it from spreading to nearby buildings, including a school,
but the library’s collection of over 3000 books and media Solomon Islands
materials was lost. “It was a place for education and meeting Solomon Islands Minister for Infrastructure Development,
people. We’re all sad here,” a local patron told NC la 1ère. Manasseh Maelanga, has outlined Solomon Islands’ plans to
Arson has not been ruled out. Several libraries have been develop its own International Shipping Registry, highlighting
targeted since riots erupted in May 2024. the economic benefits and ongoing efforts since forming a
task force two years ago. He recently met Tuvalu cabinet
minister Sa’aga Talu Teafa, who shared Tuvalu’s experience
with ISR and welcomed further collaboration. Pacific
Niue International Trust Company (PITCO) has been contracted
New Zealand will assist Niue in designing and constructing to provide advice, as the Solomon Islands aims to expand its
a new justice building in Alofi, Minister of Foreign Affairs maritime industry and attract foreign investment.
Winston Peters has announced. The initiative aims to
strengthen Niue’s judicial services, ensuring long-term
accessibility for all citizens. Additionally, New Zealand will Tonga
support Niue’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) Prime Minister Aisake ‘Eke’s government has initiated a
through a partnership between Business Link Pacific and the review of Lulutai Airlines, Tonga’s only domestic airline, with
Niue Development Bank, offering loans at reduced interest the possibility of winding up its operations. Minister for Public
rates and advisory support. Enterprises Piveni Piukala confirmed the dismissal of CEO
Poasi Tei, replacing him with aviation expert Tevita Palu. The
airline is seeking a $7 million pa’anga (NZ$5.1m) government
bailout amid financial struggles. Piukala revealed concerns
Palau
Palau’s President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. has reiterated over a $10 million pa’anga loan secured from the Retirement
Palau’s request for direct flights from Japan and assistance in Fund Board, largely spent on a problematic Twin Otter
developing a new fishing port during a recent visit to Tokyo. aircraft. The government is considering a Royal Commission
He says direct flights would boost tourism and facilitate inquiry and may open the domestic air market if Lulutai
seafood exports, while a modern fishing port would expand ceases operations.
the industry and create jobs.

Tuvalu
Papua New Guinea The World Bank has committed US$7 million to strengthen
Papua New Guinea’s Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) Tuvalu’s financial management and disaster preparedness.
has strongly opposed an International Monetary Fund (IMF) The grant will enhance climate financing oversight, increase
proposal to establish an “Oversight Board” for its tax disaster response funds, and improve infrastructure
administration. IRC Commissioner General Sam Koim called resilience.
the move unwarranted, questioning its necessity given the
IRC’s independence and strong accountability mechanisms. He
suggested the timing was suspicious, coinciding with audits of Vanuatu
major multinationals. Koim criticised the IMF for potentially Vanuatu’s government has proposed a key electoral reform
using financial aid to impose reforms, warning against threats allowing only indigenous ni-Vanuatu to contest national and
to national sovereignty. provincial elections. The move, part of its 100-day plan,
aims to strengthen citizenship governance, preserve national
identity, and enhance cultural representation. However,
Opposition leader Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau condemned the
Samoa reform as “legitimising racism”, arguing it contradicts the
Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has survived constitution’s non-discriminatory intent. The policy specifies
a no-confidence vote, reaffirming her leadership despite that only third-generation citizens may contest elections.

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