PINA

The President of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Benny Wenda, has made a blunt assessment of the dire situation in West Papua. “For years, we’ve been telling the world that West Papuans are suffering from genocide and ecocide,” he said in a statement. “Over 500,000 of our people have been killed since Indonesia’s occupation began in the 1960s....

The National Executive Council (NEC)has promoted Commodore Philip Polewara to the rank of Rear Admiral and appointed him as the new Commander and Chief of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force(PNGDF). Another appointment was made where Colonel Larry Opa was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and appointed as Deputy Chief of Defence Force. Prime Minister James Marape congratulated both...

Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa has met with Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Jeremiah Manele in Honiara. The opportunities and challenges faced by the Solomon Islands was a focus of discussion, as Prime Minister Manele's new Government prepares for the launch of their 100 Days Programme. The importance of solidarity within the Blue Pacific Continent was also considered,...

Palau's new solar power plant, commissioned in June last year serves as a benchmark for other Pacific Island Countries to seek clean energy funding support through public private partnerships (PPPs). And, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is excited that another northern Pacific nation has signed up to consider PPP financing for renewable energy project. "ADB signed a mandate with the government...

By Dirk Wagener, UN Resident Coordinator to Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu Last week, we marked two key international days that are particularly close to the hearts and realities of Pacific Peoples - World Environment Day (June 5) and World Oceans Day (June 8). As custodians of the Pacific Ocean and the natural environments which surround it, Pacific Island...

Former Fijian Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum says the top executives of the FijiFirst Party have resigned. Former Prime Minister and FijiFirst Leader Voreqe Bainimarama is amongst those who have resigned from the party. Sayed Khaiyum claimed that following the voting on the Emoluments Committee Report by the 16 Members of FijiFirst there have been a lot of incidences. He claimed the...

Former Fijian Prime Minister and FijiFirst leader Voreqe Bainimarama has resigned from the party leader’s position, reports FBC News. FijiFirst founding member Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum confirmed that Party President Ratu Joji Satakala and Vice President Adi Selai Adimaitoga have also resigned from their positions and as party members. Second Vice President Ravindran Kumaran has also resigned. Sayed-Khaiyum confirmed Acting General Secretary Faiyaz Koya...

The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) has published a substantial proposal aimed at setting a new climate finance goal, the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG). This initiative seeks to bolster efforts to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, in line with the Paris Agreement targets. As small island nations grapple with the escalating impacts of...

By Ilaitia Turagabeci As dredging works moved downstream in the Sigatoka River, Kulukukulu Village headman Christopher Herbert Work watched as the machines heading towards them dug up the river and spewed out sand and gravel to the riverbanks. The gravel flung ashore destroyed coconut trees, gardens and mangrove vegetation, upon which they and their marine species had fed off for generations. Work...

The Pacific island nation of Palau expects China to attempt to meddle in a national election later this year over its recognition of Taiwan, President Surangel Whipps Jr said in an interview in Tokyo. His support of Palau's recognition of Taiwan as a sovereign state makes him “the enemy” in the eyes of China, Whipps said, adding that China “would...