PINA

By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor in Milan, Italy In a very personalised appeal to the 69 members of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the new President, Masato Kanda highlighted trust as a fundamental leadership value that will guide his work and that of the ADB across the Asia Pacific region. Reflecting on his first few moths in office, President Kanda emphasised...

By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor in Milan, Italy Australia has reminded the Asian Development Bank (ADB) if it wants to maintain its position as the multilateral partner of choice for the region, it must modernise its processes and practices, alongside moving staff closer to clients to remain relevant and effective. Rachel Thompson, Australia’s temporary governor while addressing the ADB’s high level...

Solomon Islands Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) Monday reaffirmed its unity and preparedness ahead of the scheduled motion of no confidence, which is expected to be tabled in Parliament today. Members of the GNUT coalition convened Monday afternoon in a caucus meeting at Cabinet, chaired by the Caucus Chairman, West Honiara MP, Namson Tran. The meeting focused on reinforcing...

More than 15 scientists and filmmakers from National Geographic Pristine Seas begin an expedition today to study the health of Tuvalu’s marine environments in the hopes of advancing ocean conservation. The months-long research expedition will explore Tuvalu’s ocean — from deep sea to lagoons to coral reefs — a majority of which have never been studied in-depth before. The expedition is...

Fiji’s 16-year-old weightlifting sensation, Nehemiah Elder, has etched his name in history by winning three gold medals at the 2025 IWF World Youth Championships in Lima, Peru, becoming the first-ever Fijian Weightlifter to win gold at any World Championship event. Competing in the Men’s 89kg Youth Division, Nehemiah dominated the platform winning the Snatch with 152kg, a Clean and Jerk...

A cabinet reshuffle under the Solomon Islands Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) was formalised Monday at Government House, where key ministerial changes were officially confirmed and sworn in by the Governor-General, Sir Reverend David Tiva Kapu. As part of the reshuffle, Jamie Vokia, MP for North East Guadalcanal, has been appointed as the new Minister for Commerce, Industry,...

Leaders from governments and major development banks have called for deeper collaboration between multilateral development banks (MDBs) to boost private sector development in the Asia-Pacific region, during a high-level event at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Annual Meeting in Milan on Sunday. Italy’s Director General of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Riccardo Barbieri Hermitte, said the growing presence of...

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said the mass resignation of cabinet ministers and backbenchers from the government does not dissolve the Government for National United and Transformation (GNUT). Prime Minister Manele told the local media Friday that their resignation is their choice which he respected. He said the departure of the members does not dissolve the government, rather a blessing...

Papua New Guinea Member for Kairuku Peter Isoaimo was sworn in as new as Minister for Energy. He takes over from Kerema MP Thomas Opa, who has now moved to take on the Finance Ministry. Wapenamanda MP Miki Kaeok will now assume the Transport Ministry, which was left vacant by Walter Schnaubelt, who took up the Governor's seat in New Ireland...

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will prioritise food and nutrition security for its 69 member countries, pledging an additional USD$26 billion for the next four years. This is in addition to US$14 billion first committed in 2022 until 2025. Of that amount, USD$11 billion has already been delivered to member countries. ADB recognises that the food and agriculture sector offer enormous...