PINA

By Dr Transform Aqorau In the vast expanse of the Pacific, spanning from the equator's warmth to the temperate zones, the Pacific Islands have always been diverse yet interconnected by the boundless ocean. These waters, teeming with life and culture, have brought together nations through various agreements, including the PACER Plus, the Pacific Islands Countries Trade Agreement, and the MSG...

Long term care for older people in Tonga remains under-developed – with estimates putting life expectancy to increase to above 70.2 years for men and 76.2 years for women in the next two decades. Five years ago, Tongans over the age of 60 made up 5.9 percent (6,136) of the total population of 104,000, and this is expected to reach...

A recent report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) revealed that social protection in the Pacific needs to be more disability inclusive. The ADB estimates that more than 1.5 million people live with some form of disability in 22 Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) – and half of that number are older than 60 years. Released in December last year,...

U.S president Joe Biden’s latest bid to woo Pacific nations has been broadly welcomed by the region’s leaders and analysts, while some called for more to be done to support their economies and sought “results on the ground” over pledges. Biden hosted a group of Pacific leaders at a summit in Washington this week, after a similar meeting a year...

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...