PINA

Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretary General, Baron Waqa has welcomed the Republic of the Marshall Islands' (RMI) signing of the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty on 03 March 2025. The historic signing of the Treaty, also known as the Treaty of Rarotonga, took place in Majuro during the observance of the Nuclear Victims Remembrance Day on the same day,...

Dramatically evolving geopolitical tensions amid “dangerous nuclear rhetoric and threats” are a stark wake-up call for States to take action to support the legally binding atomic weapon ban treaty, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Monday. “Critical disarmament instruments are being eroded,” said Izumi Nakamitsu, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, who spoke on behalf of the UN chief at the...

Despite progress in the Pacific's media sector, new research reveals it remains fragile due to digital disruption and continued loss of advertising revenue following the COVID-19 pandemic. The State of the Media: Pacific research study involved more than 100 respondents across Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Nauru, Niue,...

One of the best Pacific Ocean locations to witness a stunning abundance of tropical fish, sharks and corals is also the least expected – Bikini Atoll, a site of U.S nuclear tests in the middle of the last century. The surprising recovery of the atoll’s reef in the decades after experiencing sea-surface temperatures of 55,000 degrees Celsius and forces that...

Voting started Tuesday to pick a new congress in remote Micronesia, a small Pacific nation reinforcing ties with the United States even as neighbours drift closer to China. The nation of some 100,000 residents will on Tuesday vote to choose 10 members of congress who serve two-year terms, Micronesia's electoral office said. The president is chosen from among four more who...

Samoa Speaker of Parliament has given the Opposition Leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and FAST Leader, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt until midday today (Wednesday) to submit their amended motion of no- confidence against the Prime Minister and Cabinet before it is set for the vote on the Thursday mornings session. The Speaker stopped Parliament proceedings Tuesday when Laauli, Tuilaepa and Prime...

A New Zealand politician says it is unfair for Pacific Island nations to be excluded from New Zealand’s visa waiver. Pacific leaders have, in recent times, scaled up their calls for freer movement of people within the region. New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters shelved a request from the Fijian Prime Minister to consider visa-free travel in December 2023. However,...

Fiji's Attorney-General Graham Leung says a key legislative agenda programme for this session of Parliament is to introduce a bill to amend the 2013 Constitution. Speaking in Parliament, Leung said there have been concerns across the political spectrum over the rigorous amendment process outlined in Chapter 11 of the Constitution. Leung said the Constitution is a living, organic document that should...

Honiara Summit 2025 Outcomes The Honiara Summit, a three-day conference focusing on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.4 that aims to end overfishing and restore fish stocks to sustainable levels, concluded in the Solomon Islands capital last week. The Summit involved five Pacific Leaders, 10 Ministers and over 300 delegates from 28 countries. The event concluded with a technical communique and a...

Fijian Drua head coach Glen Jackson has urged his players to stay mentally strong and not dwell on refereeing decisions, despite some questionable calls in their recent Super Rugby Pacific match against the Waratahs. As a former player, referee, and now coach, Jackson understands the challenges of officiating but insists that his team must focus on what they can control...