PINA

Three developing countries have taken the first steps towards transforming the world’s response to climate breakdown and environmental destruction by making ecocide a punishable criminal offence. In a submission to the international criminal court on Monday, they propose a change in the rules to recognise “ecocide” as a crime alongside genocide and war crimes. If successful, the change could allow for...

The One Pacific journey to the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) is now underway in Apia, Samoa. Pacific delegates have convened at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) for a key preparatory meeting this week to discuss regional priority issues and positions to strengthen Pacific engagement at the conference,...

The head of the Commonwealth and Britain’s monarch King Charles III will arrive in Samoa on 25 October, towards the end of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The police have also confirmed the areas from Mulinuu where the School of Maritime is up to Matautu where Taumeasina is has been dubbed the CHOGM Peninsula. This was confirmed by Police...

By Teanau Tuiono  This is something I pondered during a recent visit to the Marshall Islands. During my time there I reflected upon their calls for climate action and demands for nuclear justice, contemplating what this means for us, their southernmost neighbours, in our shared Pacific home. After World War II, the United States, the United Kingdom and France conducted over...

Osea Kolinisau has been confirmed to continue as the head coach of the Fiji 7s team for the next four years, leading up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The announcement comes after thorough discussions involving coaches, team managers, and captains, complemented by an independent review. FRU Interim Chairman Peter Mazey said Kolinisau’s impressive results over the past four months have...

Fiji and Japan both completed a perfect Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2024 pool stage as the Finals Series line-up was confirmed. The Flying Fijians were made to work hard in Nuku’alofa before three second-half tries made sure of a 50-19 defeat of Tonga and top spot in Pool A. Fiji will play USA in Saturday’s opening semi-final in Tokyo...

Former Palauan President Tommy E. Remengesau Jr is eligible to run again for the Office of the President, according to a legal opinion from the Attorney General provided to the Election Commission (PEC). The clarification came in response to a letter from Senator Rukebai Inabo dated 30 July 2024, in which she requested the PEC to disqualify Remengesau’s candidacy. In her...

By Jeremy Lasek ‘Leave your suits at home.’ That’s the travel advisory message from Samoa’s prime minister ahead of her tiny Pacific nation hosting one of the world’s most prestigious meeting of world leaders next month, in what will mark a series of firsts. It will be the first Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) meeting to be attended by King Charles since...

The United States and the Pacific island states have rolled out a regional initiative to boost maritime patrol and curb criminal activities around the region, which has gained notoriety as a “drug highway.” The Palau-led Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police, along with Todd D. Robinson, assistant secretary for the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, announced...

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has approved the first funding related to the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, an important milestone for ensuring the health and resilience of more than two-thirds of the world’s ocean ecosystems. The US$700,000 approved by GEF CEO Carlos Manuel Rodríguez will support efforts in the Marshall Islands, Palau, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu related to...