PINA

By Pita Ligaiula in Taipei Taiwan’s deputy Foreign Minister François Chih-chung Wu has warned that China’s growing influence in the Pacific is undermining democratic values and distorting regional relationships. Speaking to PACNEWS during a working lunch at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Taipei, Wu said Taiwan wants to be treated as a normal member of the Pacific community and...

Australia has reaffirmed its commitment to Fiji and the wider Pacific region, announcing new health funding and stronger climate action, while warning that regional unity and resilience are more critical than ever. During a visit to Suva Tuesday, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the two nations are bound by a “Vuvale Partnership” rooted in respect, trust, and cooperation. “Fiji and...

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong has pledged to keep tariff-free access for Pacific Island goods, after Fiji was hit by a 32 percent U.S tariff, in a speech positioning Australia as a reliable partner to the region amid global aid cuts. Australia is the region's largest aid donor and "a partner the Pacific can count on", Wong said in Suva...

Forum Secretary General, Baron Waqa, and team capped off a successful high-level, in-country consultation with the Kiribati Government on Friday. On his first visit as Secretary General, Waqa and team met with President Taneti Maamau, who warmly welcomed Secretary General Waqa and the Secretariat team to the Micronesian country - noting the importance of being 'on the ground' as key...

The Pacific region’s role in championing global action on climate-induced loss and damage was highlighted at a pioneering media training convened by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), with support from the New Zealand Government. The three-day event, held from 19–21 May at SPREP headquarters in Apia, Samoa brought together regional journalists to build capacity in reporting...

By Pita Ligaiula in Taipei As the World Health Assembly (WHA) convenes this week in Geneva, Taiwan is renewing its appeal to be included in the global health forum, calling out the World Health Organisation (WHO) for allowing politics to override public health. Taiwan shares the WHO’s core belief that access to the highest attainable standard of health is a fundamental human...

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong will blitz three key Pacific Island nations in her first standalone trip after Labor's landslide re-election. The foreign minister will visit Vanuatu, Tonga and Fiji across three days in the region, visiting new prime ministers in Port Vila and Nuku'alofa, along with the region's centre of diplomacy. Senator Wong will be joined by Assistant Foreign Affairs...

A former deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands is calling for the nation to reconsider rejoining New Zealand. Prominent lawyer Norman George argues that self-government has failed and urges New Zealand to take control of education, policing, and healthcare in the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands is a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand, sharing the same Head...

The Pacific Islands Forum has commenced the third phase of the Review of the Regional Architecture. As agreed by the Forum Leaders, a High-Level Political Talanoa process is now underway across all Forum Member countries.  This pivotal phase will see a three-member High-Level Persons Group holding in-country engagements with Forum Heads of Government, Ministers and Senior Officials to gather perspectives...

A proposal to boost Washington’s diplomatic relations with Pacific island nations received a new push in the U.S Congress amid President Donald Trump’s erratic foreign policy direction and faltering interest in the region Proponents of the diplomatic reinforcement Thursday revived the “Our Pacific Partnership Act,” which would mandate the Department of State to institute a clear and comprehensive strategy to...