PINA

In a historic moment for West Papua, Benny Wenda has expressed his deep honour at being elected President of the ULMWP (United Liberation Movement for West Papua) Provisional Government during the recently concluded Congress in Port Numbay. Edison Waromi, elected as Prime Minister, shares in the joy, and both leaders underscore their commitment to the people's mandate in the pursuit...

Thursday at the Sol2023 Pacific Games Aquatic Centre was another big night with two more Pacific Games records set, 24 medals won, swimming goals achieved and the final races for some. Wesley Roberts of Cook Islands started off the night with a new Pacific Games record, gold, and his personal best time in the men’s 100m freestyle. Taking inspiration from...

Defending champions Papua New Guinea (PNG) were held to a 2-2 draw by New Caledonia in a thrilling Sol2023 Pacific Games group match at SIFF Academy on Thursday evening. PNG took a comfortable lead after 24 minutes through a goal by Ginnimari Wambi. However, Alice Wenessia of New Caledonia netted the equaliser two minutes later. Both teams had equal shares of...

Over 20 countries including New Zealand and Australia have given the green light to lend a hand to the Samoan police in providing security for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2024. This was confirmed by the Acting Police Commissioner, Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti in an interview with the Samoa Observer on Wednesday saying they are now in the process...

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat has announced the winner of the Young Climate Leaders Alliance (PYCLA) written competition. This was announced by Forum Secretary General, Henry Puna. “We organised a contest for Pacific Small Island Developing States to submit their thoughts on Just Transition and the cross-cutting thematic area of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI). “We received an enormous number of...

By Nic Maclellan in Noumea, New Caledonia “You belong to the family and the household of the Pacific more than you belong to Europe. We do not need to invite you in order to welcome you. You have been a Pacific people right from the beginning.” Reverend Dr Tevita Havea, the moderator of the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC), made this...

There is a push to do away with corporal punishment of children and refraining from the use of violence to discipline children as Samoa and 12 other Pacific island countries concluded a meeting with the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC). One of the key elements discussed at the follow-up visit by the CRC on the extraordinary CRC84th...

As the COP28 meeting approaches, Fiji will take a bold stance in advocating for regional solidarity and a vision for a resilient and peaceful Pacific that thrives while we respond to the challenges of climate change. In a statement, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka reiterated the importance of collective action and a transformative vision for the Pacific amidst the challenges posed...

China's top legislature held a seminar on Tuesday with representatives from five Pacific Island countries on the practice of democracy in legislation, policymaking and social governance, with exchanges of ideas on how to better serve the people and promote development in a democratic way. A total of 21 parliamentary representatives from Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands and...

Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says he challenged the United States of America and China to promote global peace. Speaking in Parliament, Rabuka said he made the approach during his recent attendance at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in the U.S. Rabuka revealed that he encouraged the two leaders to work together. He said the two superpowers have been at loggerheads...