PINA

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has reaffirmed Solomon Islands’ measured approach to the West Papua issue, stating that his GNUT administration respects Indonesia’s sovereignty. Speaking ahead of his departure to Indonesia this Friday, Manele addressed the media on his administration’s position on West Papua – a matter that has long been a sensitive topic in the Pacific region. While acknowledging the complex...

The global target to protect at least 30 percent of the world’s land and water ecosystems by 2030 faces “huge” challenges, a top facilitator of UN biodiversity talks warned ahead of the COP16 summit starting next week in the Colombian city of Cali. According to the UN’s biodiversity agency, only 29 countries – out of 196 – have so far...

South Australia has launched a bid to host a major UN climate conference in 2026 in Adelaide, with the premier, Peter Malinauskas, declaring it would draw more than 30,000 people and could be worth $500m (US$336 million) to the state. Australia is vying with Turkey to host the year-ending climate summit known as Cop31, with a decision expected next month...

Western Pacific nations are unlikely to meet the United Nations target of reducing premature deaths from lifestyle-related diseases including cancer and diabetes, due to the slow decline in alcohol and tobacco consumption, the World Health Organisation(WHO) said on Thursday. Chronic lifestyle diseases, such as heart attacks, stroke, asthma and lung diseases, have been blamed for more than 80 percent of...

A perspective on the history and future of the Pacific Islands News Association from incoming President Kalafi Moala. The common feeling among participants at the recent 7th Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Summit was that Niue was the right place to host the conference for journalists, media practitioners and partners. The event is held every two years in different Pacific...

Five Pacific nations on Thursday plotted how to prosecute a pivotal UN court case that aims to hold climate-polluting countries to account and safeguard their islands' survival. The International Court of Justice will start hearings on 02 December in a case that will test countries' climate obligations and whether they can be sued for failing to act. Vanuatu's Attorney-General Arnold Kiel...

Fiji’s deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica has issued a blunt warning to those within the ruling party People's Alliance (PAP) contemplating a split, urging them to resign immediately if they can’t stand behind Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. “My message to those that wish to form their own party is simple—resign immediately! Leave now and don’t let that door hit you...

New Zealand's friendship with Samoa was questioned by Samoa villagers from the districts of Safata and Siumu as they spoke up about damage to the mangroves, the reef and the socio-economic impact on the lives of people impacted by the sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui. The villagers met government officials and a team from the New Zealand High Commission to...

The Samoa government-funded $25 million (US$9.12 million) regional terminal at the Faleolo International Airport was officially opened on Thursday carrying with it hopes of boosting global connectivity and economic activity. The regional terminal will now cater for flights from American Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Tuvalu, Niue, and the Cook Islands, along with domestic inter-island flights. Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa said this...

According to a new report released today, countries in the World Health Organisation (WHO) Western Pacific region experienced the smallest decline in life expectancy during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to other WHO regions. Life expectancy in the Western Pacific fell by only 0.07 years during 2020-21, a minimal drop compared to the global average decline of 1.7 years. The Western...