PINA

A drought has been declared for Tongatapu and ‘Eua, with alerts for Niuafo’ou and Niuatoputapu, and warnings for Ha’apai and Vava’u this month by Tonga Meteorology. A rain deficit is forecast for the coming months within this El Nino period. In the last three months, the rainfall in Tongatapu was below the the average rainfall within three months. Tonga Met reported drier...

A new synthesis report designed to help governments reach a decision on the global stocktake at COP28 has been published by UN Climate Change. The report reflects the views of governments and their perspectives on the main elements that could constitute such a decision. The global stocktake is part of the Paris Agreement and a key means to assess the world’s...

The Pacific Islands Forum secretary general says time will tell if the U.S will follow through with its latest Pacific funding pledge. Henry Puna has arrived back in Fiji after the second U.S-Pacific summit in Washington where he met President Joe Biden, which he described as a “childhood dream come true” US$200 million of new aid was promised this year. But Australia's...

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s absence from the Second Pacific Islands Forum-U. S Summit will not in any way affect Solomon Islands ability to receive assistance from the United States. Sogavare’s decision not to attend the Summit and sent his Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele had caused a stir in the region. “We are disappointed that PM Sogavare of the Solomons...

The implementation plan for the 2050 strategy is being finalised and will be endorsed by Forum leaders during their convening in the Cook Islands next month. Pacific Islands Forum Director of Governance and Engagement, Sione Tekiteki said the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting will have a detailed agenda, and the leaders will consider several issues and recommend the best...

Australia is looking to wrap up negotiations with Papua New Guinea over a new defence security pact with Defence Minister Richard Marles set to host counterpart Win Bakri Daki. The delayed defence pact was initially slated to be signed by the middle of the year before a separate agreement between the U.S and PNG sparked internal divisions in the Pacific...

Prominent Papua New Guinea lawyer, Paul Paraka has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. He was eventually sentenced Thursday by the National Court following a protracted court battle that had lasted for almost a decade. He was found to have misappropriated K162 million (US$44 million) belonging to the people of Papua New Guinea. Paul Paraka, 54 of Western Highlands province, an...

Resident Magistrate Seini Puamau will deliver her judgement in the trial of former Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended Commissioner of Police Sitiveni Qiliho next Thursday. Magistrate Puamau has ordered both the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Defence Counsel to file their written submission by 4pm this Friday. On 28 September, Magistrate Puamau had ordered both...

Pacific trade officials have completed two days of intensive meetings in Suva in preparation for the Pacific ACP Trade Ministers (PACPTMM) and Forum Trade Ministers Meetings (FTMM) on Thursday, 05 October and Friday, 06 October. Setting regional trade and investment priorities and regional initiatives to 2050, the 2023 PACPTMM and FTMM will centre around the theme 'Our Pacific Way in...

Despite years of voicing concerns, vulnerable nations grapple with a maze of red tape and resource hurdles. By Subel Rai Bhandari The global climate adaptation week in South Korea ended not with a bang, but a whimper. September’s Incheon City event was intended to unite Asia-Pacific leaders on climate change but faced several issues, including visa troubles for some speakers. Despite key figures...