PINA

The prime minister of Solomon Islands has criticised Washington, saying the U.S must respect Pacific leaders, after Joe Biden pledged US$200m for the region in an effort widely seen as a push against China’s growing presence. Biden hosted a group of Pacific leaders at a summit in Washington this week, after a similar meeting a year earlier. The Solomon Islands prime...

Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, has been promoting the message of peace in the Pacific region at two prominent global meetings: the United Nations General Assembly and the U.S-Pacific Island Forum Leaders Summit. Prime Minister Rabuka's advocacy for peace in the Pacific comes at a crucial juncture when the world is grappling with a multitude of challenges, including the ongoing...

The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors recently approved US$11.5 million (AUD$18 million) in new grant financing to Tuvalu. The Tuvalu First Climate and Disaster Resilience Development Policy Financing with a Catastrophe Deferred Drawdown Option (Cat DDO) will support improved assessment of Tuvalu's climate and disaster risks, including monitoring and reporting, and help the government fast-track the flow of critical...

New Zealand have clinched the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship after a dramatic 1- 0 last-minute winner in Papeete. With only seconds remaining, Katie Pugh sealed the title for the Kiwis to break Fijian hearts, who had put in a herculean effort. As expected, New Zealand started the brighter and dominated possession in the opening stages. To their credit, Fiji were resolute...

Tahiti have taken third place at the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship in Papeete following a high-scoring encounter with Tonga at Stade Pater. Despite going behind to an early goal from Tama’a Faletau, the host nation rallied impressively, hitting back with a quick double to take the lead, before three late first-half goals put them in command at the break. With 6...

Australian scientist Dr Kelly Strzepek, Tuesday emphasised the importance of having the Pacific region make the decision on how to conduct energy transition. “We no longer speak of just greening our networks,” she said. “We speak of a transition…away from fossil fuels. Because at this moment in time, if we don’t set a new course, we are committing to a truly...

The United States Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa says the potential for growth in the Pacific is the driving force behind global interest in the region. Recently President Joe Biden met with Pacific leaders at the White House, where the geopolitical powerhouse offered additional economic aid in the hopes of competing with the growing Chinese presence in the region. U.S...

The new Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to the Pacific, Barbara Plinkert presented her credentials to the President of Fiji, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, at a State House ceremony today. On this occasion, Ambassador Plinkert stressed the importance of the EU's relationship with Fiji: “I accept with great pleasure and honour this new posting to your beautiful country. The European...

In a resounding call to action, Pacific Ocean Commissioner, Dr Filimon Manoni, has united Pacific nations to address the escalating crisis of plastic pollution in our ocean. Speaking at the Regional Symposium on Plastic Pollution in Suva, Dr Manoni emphasised the profound impact of plastic waste revealing that every year, 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced and about 40...

Australia said it will grant AUD$31 million (US$20 million) to Tonga to complete a vital port upgrade, boosting funds from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), as Canberra focuses on building climate resilient infrastructure. The Pacific Islands region faces an infrastructure investment deficit of US$12 billion through to 2030 as climate shocks including cyclones, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions damage roads, ports...